I’ve heard this quite often and the short answer is tipping the dancer is not a complex process, and is often appropriate and desirable.
But first, a little history. In the old days, young women who did not have enough dowry money would sometimes dance in the market place for gold coins which they would later sew on to their clothes for safe keeping – that’s why modern belly dancers often have decorations on their costumes which resemble coins.
Back to the now: A genuine professional dancer puts great time, effort, practice, and love into her art. She spends so much on expensive costumes, classes, and even music. She does all of this despite the knowledge that she won’t get much of a monetary return for her investment, she does it because she enjoys it. When you tip her, you are not only helping her continue performing, but you are also saying “Good job! I appreciate your art! Thank you for entertaining me!” That means a lot more to a dancer than you might realize.
Plus, in many Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cultures, tipping the dancer is said to bring good luck!
What’s the best way?
So, here is a How To for tipping your belly dancer:
- Option 1: Tuck your tip into the side of her belt, or her armbands/wristbands if she’s wearing them (it helps if you fold the bill lengthwise first) – the dancer will direct you to the appropriate place where she will accept tips.
- Option 2: Give your dancer a traditional “money shower” – a money shower is exactly what it sounds like, you stand up and “sprinkle” a bunch of bills over the head of the dancer. If you want to see a money shower in action, check out this wonderful video of a dancer receiving multiple money showers.
- Option 3: Put your tips directly in the dancer’s basket, both during and after her performance.
- Option 4: The uber discrete version – catch the dancer after the show and tell her in person how much you enjoyed the show and hand your tip to her directly.
* Don’t be alarmed when she doesn’t pick up tips that have fallen to the floor, doing so is traditionally considered bad manners. If you’d like to help out please do feel free to collect the money off the floor when the dancer has finished and pass it on to one of the servers or put it in the basket that is sometimes provided for tips for the dancer.
See? Lots of different options and all of them are tasteful and simple.
Tipping Don’ts
- Virtually every respectable dancer I know will not accept a tip in the bra cups, or down the front or back of the belt, so please don’t even try.
- Do not put money in your teeth, you’ll just end up feeling foolish as it will remain there and the dancer will definitely not come your way!
Just use your common sense, don’t do anything that you wouldn’t want your kids, your grandma, or your boss to see.
Beware – Belly dancers have been known to put insubordinate tippers in their place: some will slap them on the wrist, some will waggle a finger and shake their head before moving away, and some will even flick the offending person upside the forehead! Moral of the story? Behave.
And enjoy the show!