I voted jealousy as it can sometimes make you feel very uncomfortable if any adults or children in the hall are criticising your every move!

I voted the dresses with tanning a close second. Jealousy is a nasty thing, but unfortunately it is a human trait and will never go away. The dresses and tan could possibly go away if enough of us said enough is enough. I think the economy is helping a little bit in that direction, which is a good thing.

Surprisingly, ive grown to love the extravagant dresses with their unique designs, the huge wigs and the fake tan. The fake tan makes the legs look great when u dont wear the orange crap and I find getting ready for big competitions exciting because of it! The dresses are nonetheless expensive, but the also take a lot of work especially when made by hand so i understand it. And i think there's a lot more support than jealousy. I find I am happy for a lot of my competitors when they do well and find that I more so idolize than become jealous.

I went with the wig. Fake tans will never go away because they're not specific to Irish dance, just "looking pretty" in general. People get fake tans for prom, for beauty pageants and all sorts of situations where people are performing (especially under stage lights or on TV). Dresses have gotten crazy, but I'll be honest I love my dress and think its spectacular.

The wigs however...whatever people say about "bouncy wigs make dancing look better" is just silly. Giant ringlets don't look natural on anyone, and they're a pain for both the mother and child. If the wigs disappeared tomorrow, people would still dance just as nice and feel just as fashionable in their dresses. The whole feel would be preserved, and we'd all be more comfortable.

Hopefully we're heading that way though with bun wigs... more real hair = better.

You really should have had a "none of the above" or "other" option. Jealousy's a human trait and not exclusive to Irish dancing, while the rest of them are completely non-compulsory so don't need to be "changed".

I would like a choice for "The COST". I have to work extra nights to pay for all the lessons, shoes, and dresses as my dancers get more involved in ID. That being said, I think it is an awesome sport and that my dancers are learning about graciousness, team work, good sportsmanship, and staying fit and limber. They are also learning to really WORK for their long term goals.

None of the items you mentioned concern me. We enjoy the travel and the dresses and wigs are part of the fun. My children have only had positive experiences with other dancers.

As an adult dancer the one thing I would change would be the anti adult dancer rules that are in place. I would like to compete in slow speeds and I would love to have a new challenge after adult prizewinner...

I love getting all glammed up. I love the dresses because they make you feel like a princess (or maybe its just me....haha). I feel like the wigs are important too because they would curl their hair back in Ireland every Sumday when they went to dance and I feel like wigs is just kind of modernizing it. As for tans, they can be a pain, but they really do look good up on stage. I half-heartidly voted for dresses because I greatly dislike the PRICE! I know that it takes a lot of time, money, and skill, but...I don't know.

I agree you need an "other" selection. I have a DS, so several options don't apply. Traveling is a side benefit from ID. Our family would've never experienced Nashville and several other locations if it wasn't for ID. But my vote would have to go along with DancinMomma. I'm a PW adult dancer and I would like all restrictions on adult competitions lifted.

There needs to be a price option.


All of this adds up..and its really hard, especially when your paying for it on your own.

I would have to agree that the price would be the thing I'd change. But really most of the cost comes from travel and I wouldn't want to give up the opportunities we've had as a family to see different places in America and overseas. I guess what I really mean is that I wish I had more money!!

Yes, all restrictions on adults in the adult competitions to be lifted. No more traditional only speeds for adults in Novice and PW level.

More adult competitions, and especially more adult competitions on Sundays! (I can't compete on Saturdays, and when there are so few adult comps to being with, it means I rarely get to dance!)

I voted "fake tan" because it was the only one I think the sport could definitely live without. Wigs too, but my hair is a bear to curl. But what I would change is the shoes or the moves we do, because the two do not match up. We have had the same shoes forever, and we are now doing moves in shoes with less support that make ballet and pointe dancers cringe. There is little wonder we are getting so injured when our equipment can't keep up with the demands we put it through!

I voted jealousy.....it is by far the worst thing when you are at a feis.

Between wigs and tanning... why have them anyway?

I love everything about irish dancing! The dresses, fake tan and wigs allow to be someone else for the day and be all glamourous and stuff The travelling's fun (unless you're the one driving) and it's not a proper feis unless you have to get up at 4am to get there! And a little bit of jealousy is good because then you strive to be better

I said dresses, I like the kind worn in the 90's better. I almost clicked fake tan though, because seriously why do we tan to Irish dance?