Safety Tips For Newbies

[VegasPrincess]

^^^^

Hahaha. Sometimes a little paranoia is good for the soul.....

[Renegade]

Holy Shit!!! Here I am just about to audition (in OR), trying to do my homework and now I am kind of scared out of my panties!!

This is the best accumulation of advice I've found anywhere, period. Thank you girls so much for being honest and forthright with your safety tips - a great example of women actually looking out for each other

Does ANYBODY actually make friends at work, or is it just not smart?

And does anybody actually have a good time doing this?? I want to do it because A) I think it would be really fun - get paid to dress up and dance my ass off?! HELL yeah B) I like going to strip clubs anyway - my husband and I go a lot and in Portland they're really fun, and C) I'd like to pay my house off while I go back to school for another degree.

Ladies?

[CuriousSeeker]

^I can honestly tell you that I have been working for 3.5 weeks and genuinely like my job. In every job, I've come across assholes and sweethearts among clients, and this is no different; however, you're much more prepared by reading as much as you can here.

The reason I like my job is directly tied to the club: good management, supportive staff, and a good DR environment. Not everyone is best friends, but drama and hostility are not part of the background noise in any substantial way that affects my mind set.

Go slow with everyone, much slower than you would in "real life."

If this job is going to make you happy and let you have a house and another degree, more power to you!

[AmArticia]

One thing I've learned...
Accept the fact that at some point, your shit WILL get stolen. No matter what, it's gonna happen, even if it's just a stick of eyeliner or something. If you loan something out TAKE VALUABLE COLATERAL EQUAL OR GREATER TO THE VALUE OF WHAT YOU LOAN OUT. If somebody wants to borrow some cheap necklace or something off me, I demand a $20 bill. If you want to borrow any of my clothes, you had better give me one of your nicer gowns. Of course you will get it back...when I get MY shit back!

Also, this one was taught to me by my mum...
DON'T CARRY A WEAPON! Anything pointy, spraying, or shooting CAN be taken from you and used against you. A nice little trick is to take your keys and hold them in your fist so that they stick out between your fingers. If you punch someone, this will also be rather stabby!

As for friends at work, it depends. I naturally mistrust anything with tits and a vagina, though I have met some girls that I generally feel are normal and are good people. That said, I try to keep myself from getting to close to any of the other girls. I generally will trust the guys working at my club far more than the girls. All of our DJs are cool guys and most of the bartenders are pretty cool too. This is because they are all assholes to verying degrees...I can trust an asshole far better than a nice guy cause nice guys are the creepy ones. I see assholedom as a good thing.

[VegasPrincess]

^^^

So by that logic, your keys could be taken away and used as a weapon against you as well. Pepper spray is a GREAT idea, as most of the girls on the forum would agree. The main mistake anyone could make that would potentially result in you being hurt would be to wait to long to use it. If somebody is threatening you, spray them. If you yell, "back off or I will pepper spray you" with no intention of actually spraying it, then of course they will know you have pepper spray and try to grab it from you.

[Isis_Devil21]

Wow you guys are really full of god advise. I'm so glad to know this. Thank you.

[Sveta]

Originally Posted by VegasPrincess

^^^^
Yes, definitely no personalized plates....

Also, if you live in one state and work in another, don't tell customers where you really live! I worked at a regular bar in State X, and used to tell customers the truth--that I was from a city in State Y. Until one night I was looking out the window into the parking lot and realized: I was the ONLY car in the parking lot with State-Y license tags.

If that's the case, it's WAY too easy for the wrong person to just walk around the lot and find your car if they want info on you.

[Lovely Ush]

Drinks
- Don't drink too much, customers love to take advantage of new girls especially if they are intoxicated, easy prey.
- Don't let your drink out of your site, it only takes a second to slip something into it
- Bottle water with the lid is the safest drink in a club

Pervs
- Watch a customers body language, clothing choices (sweat pants, jogging shorts, super thin pants, pants with holes on the crotch) these guys are trouble Stay Away!
- Dark corners, private rooms - Watch out for the guy who wants to go to the dark corner, quiet areas away from everyone, put your safety first, screams may not be heard over loud strip club music.
- Remember you are in charge and set the boundaries during a dance, guys love to push new girls into doing more because a newbie doesn't know she can say no or stop.
- If a guy is getting rough or making you uncomfortable Walk Away, the money isn't worth your safety or sanity.
- Don't let guys stick dollars in the front of your panties, they're just trying to get a feel or pull your g- string trying to get a peak of the cookie. Only you touch your panties when accepting tips guys are rough and will pull and tear them (popping stitches in the strings) in their drunken state.

Newbie mistakes
- Never give discounts or free dances, EVER!
- Never set your money down on the table (don't let your money out of your sight, even for a second)
- If you do loose your money get over it and get back to work
- Never gossip, when a customer asks if another dancer is married, has kids, anything, the answer is 'I Don't Know'.
- Don't give out personal information, Ever, invent a cover story.
- Don't sleep with the people you work with it only brings drama.
- Don't ask to borrow body spray, etc. get your own!
- Lock up your stuff!
- Move slow, sexy, & sensual on stage, don't throw yourself all over the place dancing fast

I'm sure I'll add more later.

---

Last edited by Lovely Ush; 09-08-2008 at 04:14 PM..

[hot4ablackchick]

Yes! Do not date/sleep with anyone that works there. Its really not worth it!

Don't say anything bad about another dancer ever. Never anything even slightly negative. Even if you hate her and you think she's the ugliest woman on the planet, keep it to yourself. Plus you never know who you are talking to. One dancer said something catty about another dancer and the customer she said it to turned out to be the girl's husband! Embarassing, and the other dancer wanted to beat her up when hubby told her what she said.

Don't share underwear, or make up. Ew and you never know what someone has, and it could also make you sick. Just say "Sorry I'm a bit a germaphobe" Its really best NOT to share clothes in general. I wish I had NEVER loaned anyone anything, or borrowed shit from others. Don't loan out your stuff. Build up your stripper wardrobe and keep it to yourself.

Keep to yourself and don't do anything to try piss off the other girls. Mind your own business. Don't complain to management about people, if you do it might get you beat up. Better to get a "feel" for the place before you tell on people.

Don't think your "new girl money" will last forever. Save your cash! Treat yourself, but make sure you have insurance (renters or homeowners, health, dental, and Life if you have kids), that your bills are paid on time, and you save 3 months living expenses ASAP. Then sock away until you have a total of 6 months of living expenses. If your resources are limited, (like you don't have any family that could help you or move in with should something happen to you), then save a years worth of expenses.

Keep your credit good. You never know when you'll need a loan. NEVER co-sign for anybody. Don't. Don't. Don't.

Don't have a few drinks to loosen up. It becomes a bad habit.

Follow the safety precautions on here. Great tips!

---

Last edited by hot4ablackchick; 08-25-2008 at 06:25 AM..

[hazel_eyes]

1. About making friends with other strippers. When I first started, I found that they were as wary of me as I was of them. Everyone thinks the new girl is a thief, liar, or druggie until you prove otherwise. They've seen it too many times. If you want to make friends, make a concious effort to not do anything that would make them think you're a thief, liar, or druggie. Then, take your time getting to know them.

2. If they allow drinking in the dressing room at your club, and someone wants a sot fo what you have, ask for ID. I made the mistake of getting drunk with a girl. I could handle myslelf intoxicated because I know my own limit, but she was stumbling, babbling, and threw up all over me. AND I got in trouble for it because it turned out she was underage. She had told me she was 21 and took her word for it.

3. If you want to try out new pole tricks, have a veteran who is good at it teach you. Most of the time, unless they are really bitchy, they don't mind showing you some generic stuff.

4. Until you master a trick, always have a spotter on stage with you. It will prevent a broken leg, arm, collar bone, etc. Since you have a spotter, you will have to come in before the club opens or stay after they close. Ask if they are ok with that.

5. This has been said, but baby oil is evil. Not only does it endanger you, but it endangers the girls coming up after you. It also endangers you in that, if a girl slips and busts her ass, she will beat yours.

6. Same thing with blood. If you notice blood on the stage from a skinned knee or overloaded tampon, finish your set if you can, just watch out for it. Then, immediately, tell a bouncer or manager so they can clean it up before the next girl goes on stage.

7. Lotion is also evil- if you do floor or pole work, put it on when you wake up in the morning, so it has time to moisturize and it won't make the stage greasy. If you put it on even right before you get to work, sweating will make it greasy again.

Hope this helps!!

[Crow2]

A can of el cheapo rave hairspray and a lighter.. a ink pen can be used as a weapon. Girls with the acrylics? Don't be scared to break those suckers off in a tender spot. Three bucks in most places can fix that. ( Note: These suggestions are desperation tactics, IE: Your ass is in a corner)

Hands trapped? Elbows, knees and headbutt. It might give you a headache, but you will be safe. Got keys in your hands? I always walked to my car with my keys between my fingers. Just in case. Plus as a last tactic, BE LOUD.

[starlightkitty]

Woah, you guys are all so helpful! I am new and going to be auditioning at a few places soon and these are all really important things to know! I thought I knew general safety for a female but there were things mentioned here I would have NEVER thought of. Thank you too everyone who posted! I look forward to dancing and doing it SAFELY and SMART. =^.^=

[cadenceq]

Something that worked for me. Once when I was walking home from a regular office job (way before I'd even considered dancing) two Arabs started following me. Where I live there is a real problem with immigrants attacking white girls, particularly Arabs, so I was scared. This was mid-afternoon, broad daylight, however I knew I had to walk by a massive park known for attacks, so I brought out my cell and "called" saying I'd be home in a matter of minutes. The guys were about 5 metres behind me and heard. Now this is what scared me, they laughed and one guy said "few hours love". I keep my camera in my bag always cos I'm a snap-happy type, so I turned around and took a photo of them then proceeded to actually through the camera through the nearest houses window. They took off like lightning in the other direction. The owners of the house came running out angry as you'd expect, but I explained the situation and they called the police for me. I had to repair the window (didn't care, what's a bit of money over my life?) but the police told me I did the right thing and that attackers only attack if they believe they won't get caught. Why else do you see reports of girls getting raped with witnesses saying they'd seen the main there for hours, he was waiting for a victim. So tip number 1 - Carry a disposable camera, or even a camera phone. That way even if something bad doews happen, they'll catch the f***er.

2 - I catch cabs and I always get these Indian creeps with foul curry breath doing the whole "you strip. Would you have sex for money?". I hate them, I really truelly hate them and they always push the issue. "Please would you, you so pretty", and I don't want any of them knowing my real address, so I catch one cab from the club to a casino about 5 minutes away (and I call right in front of the cabbie to tell my partner I'll be at the Casino in 5 minutes, in cab number whatever with such and such liscence). I still usually get a bit of a "you meet boyfriend now? Can I have your number and you strip for me later?" but they don't do anything cos they think I'm going to meet someone very soon. I also direct what route I want them to take the whole way. I then get to the casino and catch another cab home, so the cabbie with my address just thinks I'm another gambler.

3 - Pick who you dance for and listen to the other dancers/management etc. If a girl says a man touched her, don't dance for him. If management say a man has lot of cash, go hustle. But most of all, be picky, if a man keeps asking "what services?" or says something that makes you feel uncomfortable, don't worry about the money, worry about you.

4. I refuse to dance for non-English speakers because they often don't understand rules, and I don't care if it's discrimination, I'd rather be safe. I made the mistake once on my first night, I took a foreigner to VIP, and while I went to take the room fee to the controller in the room, the man had taken his pants off. The bouncer grabbed him to take him out with the whole time him arguing that he'd paid for his sex and that he was going to have it, and he couldn't understand it was just a dance, so h got thrown out. Lesson learned - only dance for people capable of understanding the rules. That can also extend to very drunk men.

5 - Extend club rules. My club doesn't allowing touching in the g-string area, and that's it. I don't allow touching at all and if they try they get a warning "you touch me again I'll end the dance, now put your hands behind your head and keep them there". That's my favourite, tell them where their hands have to be and if they try again ACTUALLY end the dance.

[hazel_eyes]

2 - I catch cabs and I always get these Indian creeps with foul curry breath doing the whole "you strip. Would you have sex for money?". I hate them, I really truelly hate them and they always push the issue. "Please would you, you so pretty", and I don't want any of them knowing my real address, so I catch one cab from the club to a casino about 5 minutes away (and I call right in front of the cabbie to tell my partner I'll be at the Casino in 5 minutes, in cab number whatever with such and such liscence). I still usually get a bit of a "you meet boyfriend now? Can I have your number and you strip for me later?" but they don't do anything cos they think I'm going to meet someone very soon. I also direct what route I want them to take the whole way. I then get to the casino and catch another cab home, so the cabbie with my address just thinks I'm another gambler.

Great idea! There is a bar near my club, and I may have to try this the next time I catch a cab! I don't know how many times I've been solicited by a cabbie.

4. I refuse to dance for non-English speakers because they often don't understand rules, and I don't care if it's discrimination, I'd rather be safe. I made the mistake once on my first night, I took a foreigner to VIP, and while I went to take the room fee to the controller in the room, the man had taken his pants off. The bouncer grabbed him to take him out with the whole time him arguing that he'd paid for his sex and that he was going to have it, and he couldn't understand it was just a dance, so h got thrown out. Lesson learned - only dance for people capable of understanding the rules. That can also extend to very drunk men.

Word.

[HaloXXX]

These are awesome tips!

Thankyou all

Not just for dancers but all women - I believe in carrying pepper spray and never hesitating to use it. But not just carrying it. It's important to learn how to use it first and regularly check to make sure it doesn't expire on you. The mace/pepper spray mix with the dye is best. Get 2 of the brand you're planning on carrying and practice with one outside to see how it works. See how close/far you have to be from an attacker and make sure you can hit the button properly in a panic. Also make sure to aim for eyes nose AND mouth in a zigzag crisscross circular pattern to really get it in there. And DO NOT extend your arm outward to spray an attacker because it can be knocked/grabbed out of your hand and used on you. Keep it close to your body, arm bent in a little, hand up by your shoulder/head. Just don't stand downwind and don't spray yourself. Also if you do spray someone don't stick around trying to kick his/her ass because that's giving the attacker a chance to recover and kick yours. Run fast, get help.

And of course, carry it in your hand with the safety off whenever you're going to your car, not just in scary situations. Make a habit of it so it becomes second nature.

Again thank you for all the tips, esp about the cabbies.

[MizzThang]

Cant thank u enough for this Thread!!

[demonika]

Originally Posted by alenadowns

#
-) Everything is done for personal gain...not personal sabotage! You dance to make money...You drink to___ hurt in the morning? kill your liver?...You do drugs to____ make yourself look 10 years older? kill brain cells?

i just figured this one out. love it..learning to live by it is going to be hard.
(the drinking part..it makes you fat, too.)

work time is not party time. seperate church from state. you can still enjoy yourself but you are at work to make money not boyfriends are party buddies.

[VegasPrincess]

Originally Posted by cadenceq

Something that worked for me. Once when I was walking home from a regular office job (way before I'd even considered dancing) two Arabs started following me. Where I live there is a real problem with immigrants attacking white girls, particularly Arabs, so I was scared. This was mid-afternoon, broad daylight, however I knew I had to walk by a massive park known for attacks, so I brought out my cell and "called" saying I'd be home in a matter of minutes. The guys were about 5 metres behind me and heard. Now this is what scared me, they laughed and one guy said "few hours love". I keep my camera in my bag always cos I'm a snap-happy type, so I turned around and took a photo of them then proceeded to actually through the camera through the nearest houses window. They took off like lightning in the other direction. The owners of the house came running out angry as you'd expect, but I explained the situation and they called the police for me. I had to repair the window (didn't care, what's a bit of money over my life?) but the police told me I did the right thing and that attackers only attack if they believe they won't get caught. Why else do you see reports of girls getting raped with witnesses saying they'd seen the main there for hours, he was waiting for a victim. So tip number 1 - Carry a disposable camera, or even a camera phone. That way even if something bad doews happen, they'll catch the f***er.

2 - I catch cabs and I always get these Indian creeps with foul curry breath doing the whole "you strip. Would you have sex for money?". I hate them, I really truelly hate them and they always push the issue. "Please would you, you so pretty", and I don't want any of them knowing my real address, so I catch one cab from the club to a casino about 5 minutes away (and I call right in front of the cabbie to tell my partner I'll be at the Casino in 5 minutes, in cab number whatever with such and such liscence). I still usually get a bit of a "you meet boyfriend now? Can I have your number and you strip for me later?" but they don't do anything cos they think I'm going to meet someone very soon. I also direct what route I want them to take the whole way. I then get to the casino and catch another cab home, so the cabbie with my address just thinks I'm another gambler.

.

These are REALLY good tips! Espcially being a stripper I hate to say this but unfortunately men who wouldn't consider attacking or hurting "regular" girl wouldnt think twice about assaulting us because we are "whores" or"objects" to them. Unfortunately, that is the reality of it. Obviously its wrong and fuck them but be prepared!

[LuckyOne]

Good thread.

[Forever_Fallen227]

With the drink thing...even if you have it sitting where no one is supposed to reach it, be careful when drinking it again. I had my drink where I thought no one would get it, but when one of the strippers was going around picking up empty bottles she must have slipped something in my drink then. This was the first time I danced at that club. She ended up putting x in my drink. I didn't realize what had happened till the next day when I was all jittery and "coming down". I was furious! But I just went to work acting like nothing happened but made sure that if I went onstage and I had a beer, I would just toss it. A couple bucks out of my own pocket or the custies, depending on who paid for it, is worth it more than to get mickied.

[p-bunny]

A lot of you posted tips about cars. What about motorcycles? =/ I don't have one as of yet, but I might and I dunno it might be pretty obvious if a motorcycle is sitting outside a club everyday. The good thing about them is you can lose a car fast but someone could look up my plates? Any advice?

[VegasPrincess]

^^

I dont think its the best idea to ride your motorcycle to work, period....

[Dottie Rebel]

My best advice would be to maintain a healthy suspicion of EVERYONE. No matter how nice or normal someone seems--be it a dancer or a customer--they might not have the best of intentions. Stay alert, stay SOBER, make your safety a priority. Set your own boundaries and stick to them.

[brazenpeach]

Originally Posted by p-bunny

A lot of you posted tips about cars. What about motorcycles? =/ I don't have one as of yet, but I might and I dunno it might be pretty obvious if a motorcycle is sitting outside a club everyday. The good thing about them is you can lose a car fast but someone could look up my plates? Any advice?

I drive a distinguishable big ass truck...a big, honkin, dually. I'd love to be incognito, but it's not possible. And yes, now I am scared to death! I guess in this line of work, you just do all you can do, and accept that there's a certain amount of risk involved. Maybe customers would assume a truck that big, with all the accessories, belonged to a man. Kinda like leaving a pair of big work boots on your doorstep. I think having the remote alarm button handy is a good idea too. If someone wants to harm you, I don't think it matters how inconspicuous your vehicle is.

[Anastacia79]

make sure your taxi is licensed. independant taxies are like getting in a car with a stranger.

---

Last edited by Anastacia79; 09-19-2009 at 01:01 PM..