 by Vikky Bondoc-Cabrera
Published March 3, 1997 ISYU as
Coping with DIs and other Ballroom Nuances
PART I.
DIs are the main products of any ballroom outlet. The classiest dance outlet with the
chic-est clientele, a perfect parquet dance floor with floor-to-ceiling mirrors, the best
DJ, the latest CD music, and the best-tasting menu, can never be successful if it maintains
amateur and mediocre instructors.
Practically all the ballroom outlets maintain 10-20 in-house roving dance instructors
(DIs) with whom any guest may dance. The outlet normally provides the DI an
allowance of P150-200 each to cover transportation expenses (plus dinner) on
regular ballroom nights. On peak nights, an equal number of accredited free-lance roving
DIs (with no allowances) are allowed to stand-by to supplement the regulars.
Roving DIs generate their main income from tips provided by the guests they dance with them that night, at
an average of P100 to P150 (US$2.40 to $3.60) per dance.
As a general rule, the in-house DIs should have been teaching ballroom dancing for at
least 6 months. More experienced DIs are harder to come by. Besides why would the better
instructors settle for a measly allowance when they can be assured of P1,500 to
P2,500 for a 5-hour booking with one guest? (average Phil. Peso rate in
August 1999 was P39.00
to US$1)
Auditions for roving DIs are practically non-existent, but ballroom managers choose them
based on ballroom guests' assessment and the DIs' commitment to regular and on-time
presence in the outlet. Dress codes are imposed, and fines are instituted.
Often, the more gracious, experienced, and sought-after in-house DIs are booked by a guest
or group of guests. The booked DI then ceases to be 'roving' for the night, the dress code
is lifted, and he forfeits his cash allowance. Too bad if he's your preferred roving
DI. Try the others; you just might hit it off with a few.
Roving DIs are just that - roving. They are not booked, and are free to invite any guest
to dance. You, on the other hand, are also free to accept or nicely reject (he shouldn't
be hurt at all) any offer to dance. The fact is, you're free to ask any roving DI you
choose to dance with you for as short as a dance set. You
may even want to try out all the
roving DIs. (Warning: a try-out is not necessarily free.)
Simply request the ballroom manager for the DI, or nicely ask him straight away. Allow him
to recover awhile or freshen up (hope he doesn't spray on too much cologne) if the
previous guest over-extended his reserve energy . And invite him for a drink at your table
if you wish.
Beware though, the other DIs may think you've booked him. DIs have a way of telling if a
guest is 'open territory' or not, i.e., if a guest dances with a DI, invites him to a
drink and a seat at the table, then he's 'taken', so bug off. That unwritten code
could be quite frustrating for guests if the DI turns out to be a 'dud'?
Guests are just being courteous by offering a drink. They shouldn't end up debating on
whether to invite that more experienced DI for a dance or cross our fingers waiting and
hoping he'd dump the stupid code. Yet, there really is nothing wrong with asking a DI to
dance, so be a little more daring and choose option 1. Remember you're paying to
dance, not to baby-sit an aspiring DI.
Regular dancing guests are well-aware of the general DI rates: at least P100 for a
15-minute dance set, P350 - P500 per hour if you're the hardier non-stop dancer. Tabs remain
unwritten but remembered by both the DI and guest. At the end of the night, discreetly
hand over the tip direct to the DI or DIs concerned.
First-time guests are well-advised to note the rates. A DI once complained of a new
guest who tipped him P50 ($1.20) after dancing with him for 2 hours straight, ordered him a
drink and a snack, and then regaled him with stories about her politician boss. Needless
to say, none of the DIs bothered to invite her to dance the next time she
visited.
|
If you think your DI has the right attitude and knowhow, let us know or apply for his inclusion in our DI list.
|
Some of your comments"Roving
DIs shouldn't insist on sitting with a guest unless asked to."
"I'd rather not have a regular DI. They tend to expect
regular bookings. But what if my budget does not allow it?"
"DI's have it so good. Many who aren't even high school
graduates and have been dancing for only 3 months can command P1500 a night from gullible
matronas."
"A professional DI does not demand a minimum rate. His
guests realize he's worth much more than the amateurs."
"Professional DIs tend to give way to the
amateurs."
"Lonely matronas spoil their amateur DIs, trying to buy
them off with a new car, a condominium unit, or capital for a business. Tsk, tsk. I wonder
what else they get in return aside from dancing."
|
Make a friend smile.
Send her a Card
 |
Side Steps
