Thread: speaking of payment...

There seems to be a lot of talk about money going on here! :)

So I have a question.


A good friend of mine sent me an e-mail a couple of weeks ago, telling me that she and her roommate are starting new diets, and also want to work out, but they want to do something fun, and would I teach them belly dancing. she says: "don't worry, we'll pay you!".

So, I think, why not? sounds like fun.

Having only taught private lessons to my MOM before (a few years ago), I decided that my normal student rate would be about $35-40 an hour (pretty reasonable, and comparable to what other teachers in the area charge for a private...I think...the couple that I've taken have been around that price.). I do know that some people will charge a little less for a private for a "friend"...but not an insanely low amount.

I responded and let her know that since she is my friend,and there are two of them, I would drop the price of a semi-private lesson to $20 per person,(one on one privates would have been $25) per hour. I also let her know that this price included my traveling (she lives about a 1/2 hour away), so she's getting a good price, as any studio class would be at LEAST $15, without ALL of the attention being focused on her and her friend. (Not to mention, that she is really not comfortable dancing in front of people she doesn't know.)

I haven't heard back from her about this. Actually, I haven't heard back period.

So...what, does she think that just because she's my friend that I'm going to accept $10 for an hour (or two, including travel time) of my time? I don't THINK so!!!..c::

Has anyone else experienced this? Where your friends expect you to teach them for free, or for a really small amount of money? Is it wrong that I don't want to accept that little for my time? .w.:

What does bhuz think?

My £0.02:

You did the right thing - you researched the local market, and then you offered a discount to your friend and her diet buddy (because she's your friend), but you didn't price yourself too cheaply.

As for why she didn't get back to you, there could be a whole host of reasons - she's might be busy at the moment with festive season stuff and hasn't got round to responding...or maybe she and her diet buddy have had second thoughts anyway, and she hasn't got round to telling you...or she and diet buddy may have thought 'eek, I didn't expect it to be that much'...or...

I wouldn't worry about it too much, but I would try and discuss it with her the next time you speak, just to get some feedback on what she thought of the cost, and so you can gently explain why you gave the price you did, if you feel the need to justify yourself further

I had somebody (not a good friend, just an acquaintance from an organization that some friends belonged to) once ask me to teach her, and we started talking in a very general way about how often, what days of the week are good, etc. Then she said, "Of course, I can't pay you anything." Oh. Sorry dear, don't think I'll have time after all.

i've been asked to teach friends and do parties and such. I usually give a price per person for the class they want and specify that it has to be paid up front for a 6-8 week session. Usually I don't hear back. for a party, it depends on how far i have to travel and how many people there are there. but when i give the price i don't hear back about that either. i just remind myself that even hiring a clown or a dj would cost at least that much and they should deal with it. i'm definitely not gonna do a private lesson for $10. It's an insult. I've spent much money learning this dance and i'm not going to devalue it.

I agree with Deelybopper--you did the right thing about figuring out your price structure. Cut her a little slack--it's a hectic time of year for everyone. I'd bring it up casually the next time you see her/talk to her--like, "oh, btw, did you get my email about dance classes? Just wondering if you're still interested so we could try to get some dates nailed down." This gives her an opportunity to bow out gracefully if she can't afford your price.

Wow! 20-25.00 and you have to travel to the site as well?!! That's one hell of a bargin you're giving your friend. Call her back and tell her your booking some engagements for the month and find out if she's wanting to do the classes or not.

maybe they are secretly eating cookies and not reading their emails.

you offered them a more than fair deal. some people are funny about starting diet/exercise programs in general. it's also a crazy time of year. don't take it personally. but don't hesitate to ask when you do speak with her. maybe something like "i'm working out my schedule for ...and wanted to know if you are still interested"

Originally Posted by sabrinabellydancer

maybe they are secretly eating cookies and not reading their emails.

..l;, ..l;,

That's all true, I never really thought that as crazy busy as *I* have been lately, that other people probably have been, too.

I need to call her just to catch up anyway...I'll drop in a casual hint. :)

Thanks all!