Do large tattoos limit performance opportunities?

[Amulya]

I think if you use one of those costumes posted here before, the ones that cover the chest area, you can afford to do a bigger cut out on a skirt for example, because with a non-covered cleavage that might be too much, but in this case it's a balance.

You're lucky with where you live, I have noticed that tattoos are much more common in America (and where I live, Australia) than in Europe. I come from Holland and there tattoos are such a no no, even in daily life.

[Zorba]

You're lucky with where you live, I have noticed that tattoos are much more common in America...

Even here, acceptability varies widely. As I noted before; California in general has an advantage, but the coast particularly. The Northern part of the state, and the inland areas less so - but acceptability is still more than many other areas of the country. The east coast is comparatively straight laced, but larger cities are far more cosmopolitan than the small towns. I think I mentioned Gia of New Jersey before, who has quite a few tatts and opened for BDSS recently.

As a skirt wearing man, I keep track of all this!

Still, tattoos, piercings, etc. are becoming more "accepted" as employers are beginning to find out that if they want to have a workforce at all, they must stop trying to control their employees' lives. I'm even seeing the occasional bank teller now with "discreet" facial piercings. Same with health care workers now. I *always* make sure to compliment both the person, and their employer, when I note something like this.

[double_frick]

Yes - it will limit which audiences will accept you. I know there are areas where tattoos are very popular - obviously it probably won't affect you there. But if in the same locale you want to dance for an Arabic audience - or a more classy non-Arabic one, yes you will limit your work opportunies as a dancer. A few years back in New Zealand someone was fired from a checkout job for refusing to cover their tattoos. You are trying to deliver a fantasy - hard to do looking like a sailor, jailbird or tramp. wow....seriously?? as far as my sensibilities go, that is far past blunt and well into rude-territoryAnd that same fanatasy requires flesh - I love dresses but realize for many gigs I have to wear a bra and belt.

Make the most of it - connect into the alternative market. There is probably plenty of work there - but you may need to offer Fusion rather than straight raqs sharqi.

but thank you for your opinion.
i definitely agree with your overall point.

[double_frick]

Even here, acceptability varies widely. As I noted before; California in general has an advantage, but the coast particularly. The Northern part of the state, and the inland areas less so - but acceptability is still more than many other areas of the country. The east coast is comparatively straight laced, but larger cities are far more cosmopolitan than the small towns. I think I mentioned Gia of New Jersey before, who has quite a few tatts and opened for BDSS recently.

As a skirt wearing man, I keep track of all this!

Still, tattoos, piercings, etc. are becoming more "accepted" as employers are beginning to find out that if they want to have a workforce at all, they must stop trying to control their employees' lives. I'm even seeing the occasional bank teller now with "discreet" facial piercings. Same with health care workers now. I *always* make sure to compliment both the person, and their employer, when I note something like this.

i totally agree with you that it depends where you live and luckily i live in california, and sacramento. i could live in a city that appreciates tattoos a little more....but again, that will never help me be totally (or maybe at all) accepted in certin ME-crowds, unfortunately. c'est la vie.

so i won't let it stop me and i will still explore the Egyptian style and fill out this repetoire and eventually i will explore Tribal as well and see which one fits better. i have gone to a class at the Hot Pot studio with one of the girls from Unmata and it just wasn't really for me. i'm more into the ME music and all that....so hip hop dancing with some rib circles won't satisfy my needs. lol

[Kashmir]

but thank you for your opinion.
i definitely agree with your overall point.

You asked if large tattoos would limit your employment. That is exactly how many people see them. Those tattoos across the lower back, afterall, are known as "tramp stamps".

[Indigo Shimmer]

I was told at my work that tattoos were allowed as long as they weren't visible and could be easily covered up. They don't want them to be obvious. I have two small ones on each shoulder. The only time I have to worry is when I wear a tank top, ( which is not part of the daily work attire anyway! )

Around here tattoos are widely accepted by the forty-something and younger crowd. Probably because the Harley Davidson factory is right up the road and employs a lot of people! As far as the ME community around here, I have no idea what they would think of my pictish horse and my Celtic snake! But its made me think.

I hope this is not TOO OT but what would be the reception of a dancer with henna designs all over them???

BTW I came home from "Art of the Belly" with a henna design on the inside of my lower arm and the manager nearly had a fit! I had to explain to him what henna was. He thought it was made from marihauna! (sp?) We're getting henna done before our first recital in June and I had to get permission from him! UGH!

Indigo S.

[Yame]

double_frick, I think it's awesome that you are drawn to Egyptian style and want to perform it. A lot of people who are into alternative styles and tattoos end up going into fusion because they feel excluded from Oriental styles (and after this thread, I can certainly understand why), or because fusion speaks more to them.

But YOU are drawn to something that people wouldn't expect you to be, based on your tattoo. You are shattering stereotypes and expectations. Don't let anyone discourage you from doing the style you love and dancing to what speaks to your soul. Just because you are tattooed doesn't mean you HAVE to go into fusion. I wish more people realized this. I, for one, am a metalhead and I'm really into Egyptian style. It disappoints me to see other fellow metalheads/belly dancers dance only to metal and not explore the roots of this dance and the music that is meant to go with it. People don't want to leave their little bubble, but obviously YOU do.

Take the obstacles as a challenge and keep doing what you love. There are many great suggestions about covering the tattoo for certain audiences and going bare for more accepting audiences (And even if you end up finding an alternative niche, it doesn't mean you HAVE to do fusion, either. You can go and show them a tattooed girl can dance Egyptian style, too). Your tattoo is a part of you but it doesn't have to define who you are.

[Zorba]

but again, that will never help me be totally (or maybe at all) accepted in certain ME-crowds...

Well, my attitude is "To 'ell with ME crowds". A huge proportion of them don't even like that I exist. Too bad, their loss. I certainly do not buy into their simultaneously misogynistic and misandric worldview. The vast majority of my audiences are Americans anyway. They may be shocked at first, but they virtually all like me. I am content.

[Zorba]

. Those tattoos across the lower back, after all, are known as "tramp stamps".

By the uneducated masses, for sure.

I have a "Tramp Stamp" myself. I care... (not!)

[Yame]

Well, my attitude is "To 'ell with ME crowds". A huge proportion of them don't even like that I exist. Too bad, their loss. The vast majority of my audiences are Americans anyway. They may be shocked at first, but they virtually all like me. I am content.

I couldn't disagree more. Middle Eastern crowds are my favorite to dance for, because it's THEIR dance, they know what they are seeing, there is no explanation necessary. They are so kind, generous, and so much fun as audience members. They are also often pretty good at discerning good dancing from bad dancing, so it's very rewarding to dance for them and get a good response.

I love dancing socially with them, not as a performer but as a guest at restaurants and clubs they attend in large numbers. That is actually my absolute favorite thing to do.

I'm sorry you've had a bad experience with them but it's more your loss than theirs. If you'd rather dance for Americans that's perfectly fine, but I wouldn't be so quick to diss Middle Easterners. We owe it to them and their culture to be more respectful than that.