A traveler returning from Florida reported that taxi dancers in the milonga charge 25 dollars for a tanda over there. I suddenly saw that I could realize the dream of making my passion my work – and make some cool cash in the process. A friend calculated it for me: six milongas per week–she allowed me a day off – at an average of ten tandas per milonga, would yield a sweet 1200 per week. She considered 20 euros an acceptable price for an old guy like me. Hot leaders would obviously make more, but over time, I could cash in on the Last Mohican effect. She questioned the feasibility of the whole idea, though.

“Would you allow taxi dancers in your milonga?”, she asked, challenging me. “I most certainly would,” I told her, still thinking about my 1200 per week. “Why not? Taxi dancers have been around in tango forever. Except, in the early days, it was women who charged by the song.” “Prostitutes, you mean.” “I wasn’t there and I’m not judging anyone.  I understand they were often teaching their clients to dance.” “I think it’s called a private lesson today and lasts an hour,” she said. “That’s my point. What’s the difference? Taxi dancing is a viable business model in Buenos Aires nowadays. There are websites advertising their services.” I wasn’t ready to let a future loaded with quick cash slip away that easily.

“Can’t imagine something like that blowing over to the Netherlands,” she said, digging in. “Taxi dancers even enter the Mundial with clients, for up to five thousand dollars,” I said.” They’re taking taxi dancing to a whole new level. As organizers, we must know such developments.” “I don’t think there will be demand here,” she insisted. “Events are role balanced now. Women don’t like the idea of paid escorts. Many won’t be able to afford it, either.” “A woman returning from Stockholm told me sixty percent of followers in Sweden are double rollers now. In Edinburgh, close to ninety percent, apparently. It points to a latent demand, still to be tapped. When you see a tail, there is a dog.”

“Believe me, taxi dancers will never solve a leader-follower mismatch,” she said. “Really, which solution do you see that someone hasn’t tried before?” I asked testily. “And don’t give me free entry or free drinks for leaders. No “male-only” get-togethers before the milonga, either. All those ideas are being tried today already. A clean commercial taxi dancing approach might work brilliantly. It’s a win-win proposition! Competition might improve the dance level, too.” She shook her head, pressing her lips. “I still think followers would much rather start leading,” she said.

“Maybe we should develop the local market first, you know, educate them. Like self-checkout in the supermarket. Let them get used to the concept.” “Yes,” she said. “You could dance with women and subtly mention at the end of the tanda that this one was for free.” “Good thinking. Or give her some voucher.” “Maybe milongas will offer you free entry or free drinks,” she added. “Any leader with a heartbeat should be able to get that. And if it doesn’t work out, you can always fly to Miami, dominate the market for geriatric American widows.” “It’s hot and humid in Florida,” I said, watching a dream evaporate in hot air.