back to tipping.... I used to hate the whole "body tipping" idea.... thought it was a bit tacky/etc.... THEN I became a pro dancer.... still had issues with it (I am/was quite shy) but (& somewhere on this forum I am sure there is a discussion of this) it seemed more awkward (to me) to go around with a basket "begging".... anyhow... SOMEWHERE along the line, I got over it... this is my job/ this is part of our "pay"... & part of the "act" etc. & I have never seen a dancer look like a stripper accepting tips. In fact I probably get more tips from women & children then men.
however body tipping is perceived VERY much depends on the integrity of the performer/the other dancers/the venue/etc....
I tell my dancers that under no circumstances do we accept tips in the bra (too easy to get out of hand) & only on the sides of the belt.
in the "nicer" restaurants that i have danced I have NO qualms about accepting body tips... in the more club like settings(more alcohol/less food) I have had to buck up & go the tip jar route... one place we had a small stage, & put the tip jar right on stage... had a couple of "plants" start the tipping & occasionally had one dancer pass the bucket while another was performing... it worked out well (more alcohol also = more tips!)
speaking of tips... I have noticed over the years that how the 1st tip goes "in" is how much of the night goes.. if the 1st person hands me a tip then usually over 1/2 the rest of them do. if the 1st tipper is a bit sketchy, how you handle it depends on how far any others will go (very easy to back away, shake your finger "no" in a playful way then point to your hip.. doesn't embarrass the "perp" too much but gets the point across).. & funny story...
one time my MOM gave me a tip in my belt & patted my hip belt affectionately ... & some of the other customers that night (men & women!) did it the same way!!...
I think it is like at a fancy dinner where they are watching the other guests to figure out which fork to use, or the proper way to eat an artichoke in public!
so for you shy types who want tips maybe have a plant in the audience to hand you the 1st one... then you can PROMINENTLY place it in a tip jar on the counter, sort of sets the tone you know....
also LOVE Sausan's envelope idea!
I am sorry some of you think dancers who accept tips this way are slutty.
this is simply not the case with most of us. & as you study the history of the dance you will find it was a pretty common way for audience members to show appreciation for the dancer.... in many different places.
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