Interview of three Taxi Dancers in Buenos Aires

[ArbeeNYC]

After reading all the posts here and some articles online discussing taxi dancing, it seems like hiring a taxi dancer carries the negative implication that one isn't a desirable enough dancer to obtain enough dances, and therefore has to buy the attention of a good dancer.

That's part of it in some cases.

 

[pianistamediano]

Apparently, in Hong Kong, it's a form of conspicuous consumption. It tells people (the ones who regularly attend an event and therefore know who's who) that she's rich enough to hire a dance champion. Sort of like driving around in a Mercedes-Benz.

That's quite a tasteless view of things! Even as a Chinese...

 

[Bailango]

That's quite a tasteless view of things! Even as a Chinese...

Flaunting of status (rich) or MB or Champion Taxidancer?

 

[pianistamediano]

Flaunting of status (rich) or MB or Champion Taxidancer?

Well, it's par for the course to flaunt status/wealth in modern Chinese culture. But it does go against traditional values of humility and propriety. It's a sign of the nouveau riche.

 

[daisy_r]

After reading all the posts here and some articles online discussing taxi dancing, it seems like hiring a taxi dancer carries the negative implication that one isn't a desirable enough dancer to obtain enough dances, and therefore has to buy the attention of a good dancer.

Some people may think that, and that is one of the scenarios, but I don't think it's the only scenario.

Good dancers can hire taxi dancers too, and doing so can really pay off if you are visiting a vibrant tango scene (like Buenos Aires) for a short period of time, because even good dancers can be overlooked at a crowded milonga where no one knows them.

And consider this: the young male taxi dancer dancing with someone of beginner or intermediate dance skills is immediately apparent to everyone. A taxi dancer dancing with a good dancer at the milonga... you might not know if they are working or if they are dancing socially with a friend from out of town; at that point it doesn't matter anymore because the mission has been accomplished: you've noticed that their partner can really dance.

It's harder to spot a good dancer when they aren't dancing, or when they are only dancing with partners who are less skilled than they are, so I'd argue that advanced dancers have even more to gain from hiring taxi dancers than the "less desirable" dancers, as you put it. For advanced dancers it's not just a chance to get some tandas from the taxi dancer, it's a chance to present themselves in the best way that they possibly can.

 

[Rabbit]

Good dancers can hire taxi dancers too, and doing so can really pay off if you are visiting a vibrant tango scene (like Buenos Aires) for a short period of time, because even good dancers can be overlooked at a crowded milonga where no one knows them.

TBH I think the only thing that works well in really crowded milongas is appearance game, it's difficult to keep track of who might be a good dancer or be noticed, especially somewhere like Buenos Aires where visitors are coming and going all the time.

My preferred solution is to go to less crowded milongas though

 

[daisy_r]

TBH I think the only thing that works well in really crowded milongas is appearance game, it's difficult to keep track of who might be a good dancer or be noticed, especially somewhere like Buenos Aires where visitors are coming and going all the time.

My preferred solution is to go to less crowded milongas though

Even at the less crowded milongas, I think that the more advanced dancers are less likely to take a chance on a stranger, even if they are well dressed and attractive, without having seen them on the dance floor first.

 

[pianistamediano]

Good dancers can hire taxi dancers too, and doing so can really pay off if you are visiting a vibrant tango scene (like Buenos Aires) for a short period of time, because even good dancers can be overlooked at a crowded milonga where no one knows them.

That's a good point. What's the hiring process like? Presumably it includes a trial dance with potential taxi dancers? Or is it just sight unseen?

 

[Bailango]

Well, it's par for the course to flaunt status/wealth in modern Chinese culture. But it does go against traditional values of humility and propriety. It's a sign of the nouveau riche.

New money vs old. Ostentatious display of wealth vs modest lifestyle. The differences ail all societies.

 

[Bailango]

And consider this: the young male taxi dancer dancing with someone of beginner or intermediate dance skills is immediately apparent to everyone. A taxi dancer dancing with a good dancer at the milonga... you might not know if they are working or if they are dancing socially with a friend from out of town; at that point it doesn't matter anymore because the mission has been accomplished: you've noticed that their partner can really dance.

It's harder to spot a good dancer when they aren't dancing, or when they are only dancing with partners who are less skilled than they are, so I'd argue that advanced dancers have even more to gain from hiring taxi dancers than the "less desirable" dancers, as you put it. For advanced dancers it's not just a chance to get some tandas from the taxi dancer, it's a chance to present themselves in the best way that they possibly can.

Very good point! I hadn’t thought of it from this perspective.

 

[Rabbit]

Even at the less crowded milongas, I think that the more advanced dancers are less likely to take a chance on a stranger, even if they are well dressed and attractive, without having seen them on the dance floor first.

Honestly at the crowded ones I sometimes had guaranteed dances with very good partners that I arrived at the milonga with (not taxi dancers) and it didn't even really make much difference, on the other hand I found it super easy to be noticed in less crowded ones.

It's a bit like the partners I enjoy dancing with, and myself, project a sort of aura that can also be seen off the dance floor, but it's hard to spot if there's too much "noise" from the crowd.