Entertainer Archive

I'm not an Entertainer.

I'm a Marksman/UA/Medic heading for Smuggler. However, that combo means I end up with with a hefty amount of battle fatigue and thus, I'm a frequent visitor to the cantinas.

Now, last night (My time, GMT), i happened to drop in to the Mos Eisley Cantina on Bloodfin and there was somebody doing it right, so I thought I'd share an outsider's point of view on exactly what "right" is in this context. And thanks to the lady in question, because you never know what "right" is until you've seen it.

There was quite a crowd of entertainers in the cantina, but this one stood out. I have no idea whether Niamh Lightwaver's player is male, female or a Skrrtlnak from the planet Zog. Whatever, "she"* was really working it.

Constant chatter, constant flirting with the audience, witty banter, suggestive but not coarse, you know, just like somebody in _[i]Chicago[/i]_ or something. Her commentary on her act was worth a tip all by itself ("I've never pole-danced on a Wookiee before...", "Honey, those shoes do _not_ go with those pants!", "Sweetheart, you'll never pay me what I'm worth, but we can settle on the price of a pin-up poster." "Would somebody _please_ get this Bothan out of my cleavage?" etc etc).

Basically, i was entertained! It was fun to just sit and watch, it was even more fun to join in and I for one was sorry when "she" logged out. As were quite a few of the rest of the audience.

I can only speculate on the amount of tips "she" got ("a lady never tells, honey. Would you want everyone to know exactly what you're packing, huh?") but I know I tipped 500cr without batting an eyelid, and i am not exactly a wealthy player. Many of those present were far better-off than me.

So, that's my advice, and it's totally self-centred because hey, I want to be entertained every time I step into the cantinas. And it must be more fun for you than simply hitting function-keys or whatever.

I shall leave you with what I felt was the funniest quote from last night -
"So, is that a rifle in your pocket, or are you just horribly deformed?"

Sorry that is called trashy in my book.

Trashy?

That's a matter of opinion. It was funny.

There's plenty of these in the cantina I frequent, and there's no doubt if you want to make cash on tips, this is probably the best way to do it. It's aimed squarely at the right demographic that plays games like these.

All the same, I'd rather be poor.

And yes, some will consider that "trashy" while others think it's just grand. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and can tip that cash to anyone they enjoy watching.

- J

Like I said: "In my book..."

I've worked a cantina before and been well paid for it. I don't think talking about the game or the latest patch is valid at all for me, it breaks immersion and game paradigm and isn't roleplaying. I wouldn't appreciate it if an entertainer greeted me as I walked into a cantina and said, "so what about that /deny service?"

I will talk about bazaar prices or the weather or exciting things happening in in-character news. I do ask about the hunting or when someone is hurt or whatever my brain can think of, sometimes cliche and unoriginal, sometimes creative. Social interaction with strangers is always hit or miss.

I teach in-character other people in and out of the dance group, thank people who I know healed me or who I happened to catch tipped me whenever I can. I talk to the band and request songs sometimes and make up songs or tell funny stories or anecdotes. (At least I used to I really don't have time to anymore)

I've also worn revealing clothes. Never a flesh wrap or leotard or hotpants but I've worn slacks and a low cut top and it was definitely revealing. That happens to be fairly normal in the dance industry. You are an athletic healthy performer as a dancer usually and people consider that beautiful and attractive. It enhances the performance. Even ballerinas wear the equivalent of infiltrator suits to not hamper the movement and to accentuate their bodies form and function.

And I flirt. Because I enjoy flirting and because opposite sex dynamics are often easier with flirting. Not all flirting has anything to do with sexual titillation or is a means to get it. Go back to some old films that had extremely fast and intricate dialogue, sayBogart and Bacalls' The Big Sleep and listen to the conversation about race horses. That's very clever stuff. Hardly whorish.

Flirting can be very welcomed because it makes people feel worthwhile for whatever reason.I try to be aware of when its receptive and appropriate. Sex and species is not a bar, I tell women they're beautiful or have lovely hair or eyesor a nice smile as much as I'll tell a man he's handsome or impressive. If someone comes in sad, angry, or extremely wounded I stop and ask or even check with them in a tell if they want interaction. You also find out pretty fast if someone is receptive to it or not.

I've never had a bothan stuck in my cleavage. If I did I'd probably remove it myself. It sounds terribly uncomfortable. But making jokes sometimes helps everyone relax. I agree that there are emotes and dress and conversation that crosses the line from entertainment to personal come-on's and I tend to feel a bit uncomfortable seeing it in a public place if its agressive and consistant. But people also need to experience what happens when they socialize a particular way. That entertainer might learn its wanted or not wanted and learn when to tone it down or off or on. Calling her trashy for doing itcertainly doesn't educate people on what you as a fellow entertainer or patron like or dislike.

She was active, interactive and dealing with customers in a personal way. I think she needs to be supported for that. If you don't like what she said and you were there, you send a tell and talk about it. At least she was investing in the community and obviously made some people's night.

So howis an male trandoshan supposed to make tips then?

"My character would not say most of those things, but she definitely talks to patrons. Most of them don't really talk back, which is a little frustrating at times, but when that happens she talks with the other entertainers."

"I will talk about bazaar prices or the weather or exciting things happening in in-character news. I do ask about the hunting or when someone is hurt or whatever my brain can think of, sometimes cliche and unoriginal, sometimes creative. Social interaction with strangers is always hit or miss."

Lots of people don't respond to you because most people don't roleplay. I know that there will always be those who feel that the only real way to play a game like this is via roleplaying, however the majority obviously feel that roleplaying has its place, and that that place isn't SWG. If there were official RP-only servers, I could see it being feasible, but I would find it a waste of my time to roleplay in an atmosphere of non-RPers.

I don't mean to sound like I have anything against roleplayers, but ok some of them I do. For example, It bugs the snot out of me when they group with non-RPers and then continually make stupid remarks like "What is LOL?" and "What galaxy is Wisconsin in???" Gah. Just shut up already!

Phew, man that felt good. I wish I had said that to a few people in-game. lol

A smile.

Most people who walk into a cantina look around. If they don't know who to look for and suddenly they see "SoanSo beams a smile at you". Guess what? So far, in 8 to 9 out of 10 times, suddenly I am getting Entertainer Healing exp. That means they looked at me, noticed me noticing them, and returned the favor.

Yes, even a Trandoshan male dancer (as serious as the dance moves need to be changed for male dancers is), could get the attention of a new customer, just by saying Hello or nodding to them (though Im sure you can do more), I would think.

Before I ever had my first leotard and fleshwrap for my Twi'lek female, I used shorts and sleevless jackets with hide boots to get the crowds attention. That and I change up my dancing. Focus on a person and try the first flourish of Rhythm, where you are "spreading the seeds"? You walk right up to them.

As a musician, well, I think it's a shame you cant listen AND watch at the same time. I mean, how hard is this? It might stymie the players a bit, but if you get their attention, they might listen to the music you play.

Just my 2.5 creds for what I have seen and had success with.

Like the trando question, how is a MALE WOOKIE gonna get tips. I get tips by being friendly and chatting with the customers. If i said ANY of those things as a male wookie id be on EVERY1's ignore list...if i dance all leave, or ignore my deformed dancing, so i mainly get tips playing music. THAT is the main road for male trandoshans and wookies

Well I for one see very few Trand entertainers at all, and I'm sure that alone will pique the curiosity of patrons and entertainers alike.

I hope you're a roleplayer and have some interesting backstory about how your character came to find the profession interesting.

People would like to talk to someone with an interesting alien perspective. I recommend trying some routines that emphasize your agressiveness and perhaps make the customers and other feel safer by having your around them.

I think you're in a uniqely advantageous position as an entertainer. You're probably less likely to be called names then a male Twi or human dancer.

My character would not say most of those things, but she definitely talks to patrons. Most of them don't really talk back, which is a little frustrating at times, but when that happens she talks with the other entertainers.

In general, I have found that even people who are non-RPers, still enjoy sitting back and watching the RP happen around them, better than just watching silent flourishes. I have had people compliment me on making their down time more interesting -- even those who don't roleplay themselves.

To a non-RPer, the cantina can be a boring place. I would think it'd be even more boring if it is dead "silent" in terms of RP. If there is at least playful banter going back and forth between the dancers it can help pass the time. To a roleplayer, the cantina is a good place to socialize so they definitely want the RP and banter. Either way, being a "chatty" entertainer seems a good idea... I sure can't see how it would hurt. Which is pretty much what it sounds like this one entertainer was doing.

C

Not only is this not an angle that male entertainers can work with any sort of easebut for every patron like yourself, Richard, who enjoys this sort of somewhat over the top interaction, there are probably a dozen more who don't enjoy it at all.

This might be the cup of tea that you enjoy as well as the one that this particular entertainer that you're speaking of enjoys serving, and that's great. You should keep going back for more.But I for sure wouldn't recommend it to other entertainersas a rule of thumb way to entertain the crowdin a cantina.

For a lot of cantina patrons less is more when it comes to player interaction. A smile, a wave, a nod, a "Welcome back, so and so", a "Thank you" after a tip is offered, is all they want.I know a large number of people who would be driven out of a cantina where someone was asnon stop vocal as this entertainer you're describing,and I mean both patrons and fellow entertainers. Which is not to say that there should never be an bawdy exchanges inside the walls of a cantina. Or thatone should never raise the roof goofing off with a patron that comes through the door. The factis there isno one size fits all kind of entertainment.

The bottom line is anentertainer has to read the room. That goes for real life and a swg cantina. The better entertainers are going to do a good job of reading the room and getting to know whattheir repeat customers enjoy.