[Tango-L] Taxi Dancers, BA

[Deby Novitz]

A couple of things, Alberto, I need to correct you a bit...

Many of the afternoon milongas let the retired people in early at no 
charge or for 3 pesos.  This is not advertised and is only for the gente 
mayor who are regulars.  If the milonga starts at 4, they are allowed in 
free before 4:30.

The well known teachers and professional dancers are let in at no charge 
to the milongas.  Roberto has never been charged to enter any milonga.  
Depending on the milonga when I am with him, I am also allowed to enter 
at no charge or for a reduced charge.  At some milongas the hosts even 
give us a bottle of wine.  We have been the guests of many professionals 
at some of the shows as well. 

There are taxi dancers here in Buenos Aires.  Some of the older guys who 
dance well but are on pensions will accompany a woman to the milonga.  
There are also some younger guys who do this as well.  I have found the 
younger guys to be very nice, courteous, and not always the best 
dancers, but probably better than the dancers of where the lady came 
from.  There are guys who dance well who need to make some extra money, 
they are also nice, courteous, and with honorable intentions.  Some of 
the professional dancers also hire themselves out but at very high rates 
as they really do not want to do it.

These guys except for the professionals charge 25 pesos per hour. They 
have a 100 peso minimum. The professionals charge 200 pesos an hour with 
a 2 hour minimum.  (Yes, women pay it.)  They usually do not work past 1 
am.  The clock begins when you meet your dancer.  The person paying 
assumes ALL the expenses. This means that if you want him to pick you up 
in a taxi you pay for the taxi.  If you want to have dinner you pay not 
only for both dinners, but also for his time.  You pay for the milonga 
entrances, and also for any drinks.  One women got angry when she found 
out she had to pay all the expenses.  I told her it is a business 
transaction not a date.

There are women taxi dancers as well.  I have on occasion been asked to 
accompany someone to the milonga and dance with them.  I know other 
women who do this as well.  With the taxi dancers I know, male or 
female, they are NOT prostitutes.  They provide a service to people who 
would like to be accompanied to the milonga. It is very important to 
understand this.  It is insulting to be expected to provide these 
additional requests whether you are male or female.  The people who do 
this professionally do not even think of selling themselves as 
prostitutes.  They have reputations and want them to remain good. 

The dancers I know do not ask for money at the milongas. They may see a 
woman who is not dancing, invite her to dance.  He may dance several 
tandas with her. During this time he mentions that if she would like to 
have him accompany her sometime, he is available.  The men I know 
arrange to do this at a later time, not at the same milonga.  There are 
some that offer their services on the spot.  You should never feel 
pressured.  You pay after the services are rendered.