# Shake them hips.

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shake-them-hips/368502>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [August 13, 2006, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shake-them-hips/368502 "2006-08-13T00:23:31Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\
**Post date:** [August 13, 2006, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shake-them-hips/368502/1 "2006-08-13T00:23:31Z")

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Why is it that the Hawaiin tourist industry always uses Tahitian dancers, even in their tourist traps? I just saw that pizza commercial and was reminded.  
I know why, I’m just commenting. But I’ll leave the “?” in case someone wants to answer.  
Peace,  
mangeorge

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**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\
**Post date:** [August 13, 2006, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shake-them-hips/368502/2 "2006-08-13T02:29:47Z")

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Well, honestly I think they usually show both, the Tahitian “knock-knock” fast dancing with the incredibly fast hips\* and the slower, more sensual, storytelling Hawai’ian hula.

Just given the folks what they expect, I guess.

\*- yeah, I know that sounds like a stupid description, but every time I think of it, I have to hear the drums and coconuts! 😃 When I was a kid, I was sure that her hips were making that noise…

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**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\
**Post date:** [August 13, 2006, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shake-them-hips/368502/3 "2006-08-13T21:06:39Z")

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Probably so. I haven’t been there in many years. Forty years! Sheesh.  
When I was there, you mostly saw hula at civic events and to welcome tourists. All the clubs and hotels, etc, featured Tahitian dance. Some had hula, but not much.  
I can tell you that if a bunch of us sailors went to a club featuring hula, it wouldn’t be long before we headed to ones with the mostly naked women shaking their hips.  
I noticed that the women in the audience weren’t immune either. The male dancers were pretty “hot” themselves.  
Culture was not what we were seeking. 😛  
mangeorge