View Full Version : Dancing during a recession
Pages :
1
2
3
[
4]
5
6
7
8
Maddie
09-17-2008, 08:23 PM
It's REALLY bad around here - large influx of girls from Houston/other areas affected by Hurricane Ike, and a turn for the worse moreso after the Stock Market shennanegans!
luckyluxie
09-17-2008, 09:21 PM
didn't think I could say it, but it's even worse than last week, After two nights I have broken EVEN. zero bank. owies. :'(
Otoki
09-18-2008, 11:53 AM
didn't think I could say it, but it's even worse than last week, After two nights I have broken EVEN. zero bank. owies. :'(
DAMN that sucks!
I haven't really worked because i fucked up my foot, but one of my friends has been banking off of this one dude, and everyone else is doing "so-so".
I'm starting to realize just how lucky I am to work at this club instead of the other ones in MPLS.:O
Venus Doom
09-18-2008, 09:14 PM
I'm starting to realize just how lucky I am to work at this club instead of the other ones in MPLS.:O
How was it during the DemoRatic Convention (or was it the RepubloRats in MPLS)?
BTW: I'm voting 4 Obama but I live in AZ so it won't make any difference so maybe I'll vote for LaRouche if he's on the ballot.
holiday
09-19-2008, 12:09 PM
I was listening to NPR last night and they were interviewing this british banker who was really funny. He was talking about al the young bankers who used to blow through $50,000 in an evening on their companies expense account and how now, in his opinion, the people who will suffer the most in Britain will be the strippers. He was a being a little facetious. But it was really funny. He said the strippers and the coke dealers will seriously suffer.
ViolaStrings
09-19-2008, 12:12 PM
^ LOLZ, I love NPR.
keela
09-19-2008, 05:27 PM
My money has been increasing as well. I don't know what's going on, bec/ supposedly the economy has just gotten worse and worse, but somehow.... It's not every night I'm making great money, but my average is definately getting better from a few mos. ago. Keep those chins up ladies. namaste-
Sveta
09-20-2008, 09:25 AM
My money has been increasing as well. I don't know what's going on, bec/ supposedly the economy has just gotten worse and worse, but somehow.... It's not every night I'm making great money, but my average is definately getting better from a few mos. ago. Keep those chins up ladies. namaste-
same here. No one wants to hear this, but it really doesn't matter what's going on outside...it's all about what's going on in your mind.
badpixie
09-20-2008, 07:32 PM
I have only been working about twice a week since I got back from traveling this summer. I made serious lifestyle changes and have drastically cut back on my expenses. It's all about what I have at the end of the week/month, not what I actually make. Some changes I made:
- Sold probably more than half of the clothing I owned to resale shops
- Working on selling more on ebay
- Broke the lease on expensive apartment, now living in a shared house
- Broke up with boyfriend, don't have his car to use - I get around by bike and bus only now
- canceled gym membership - I bike several miles every day, and look better than I ever have
- got rid of my $300 phone and service - got the cheapest prepaid phone available because i only use it for "hi/where are you/meet me here" calls
- stopped wearing makeup except at work
- I keep ALL makeup and dancer stuff at work, this helps curb temptations to buy new outfits (I bought a couple this summer when I was in montana and had no stuff with me at all, but that's it!)
- i spend my time off writing, playing music, and enjoying myself.. working on making myself and my mind into my future source of income so I will have an "out"
- i now think of dancing as something i do, rather than something i am. this stopped the spending and "investments"
- getting lots of free food off craigslist, freecycle, and other resources, which saves me tons of $. cooking from scratch more, instead of eating out.
- no smoking weed, very little drinking, even fewer nights out at bars - these are total money drains
- if i need something, i buy it used whenever possible, preferably off craigslist.
Sveta
09-21-2008, 09:42 AM
- i now think of dancing as something i do, rather than something i am. this stopped the spending and "investments"
:yes: this is huge. I came to the same conclusion the night that I forgot most of my costumes (left them in the dryer). I bought a plain old bodyzone bikini top and black skirt at the club store for $20...and made $800 wearing it that night. No fancy $80 shoes or gowns, no elaborate makeup...guys didn't care. As long as you're hot, guys prob aren't looking at your shoes, so might as well save the money. :P
Venus Doom
09-22-2008, 08:09 AM
:yes: As long as you're hot, guys prob aren't looking at your shoes, so might as well save the money. :P
Lol, yeah, show ur ass-ets, curves & smile! :)
Samba
09-22-2008, 08:52 AM
I have only been working about twice a week since I got back from traveling this summer. I made serious lifestyle changes and have drastically cut back on my expenses. It's all about what I have at the end of the week/month, not what I actually make. Some changes I made:
- Sold probably more than half of the clothing I owned to resale shops
- Working on selling more on ebay
- Broke the lease on expensive apartment, now living in a shared house
- Broke up with boyfriend, don't have his car to use - I get around by bike and bus only now
- canceled gym membership - I bike several miles every day, and look better than I ever have
- got rid of my $300 phone and service - got the cheapest prepaid phone available because i only use it for "hi/where are you/meet me here" calls
- stopped wearing makeup except at work
- I keep ALL makeup and dancer stuff at work, this helps curb temptations to buy new outfits (I bought a couple this summer when I was in montana and had no stuff with me at all, but that's it!)
- i spend my time off writing, playing music, and enjoying myself.. working on making myself and my mind into my future source of income so I will have an "out"
- i now think of dancing as something i do, rather than something i am. this stopped the spending and "investments"
- getting lots of free food off craigslist, freecycle, and other resources, which saves me tons of $. cooking from scratch more, instead of eating out.
- no smoking weed, very little drinking, even fewer nights out at bars - these are total money drains
- if i need something, i buy it used whenever possible, preferably off craigslist.
Thanks. This is actually what I had in mind when I started this thread. I didn't mean for it to turn into a catch-all for complaints.
Otoki
09-22-2008, 11:26 AM
How was it during the DemoRatic Convention (or was it the RepubloRats in MPLS)?
BTW: I'm voting 4 Obama but I live in AZ so it won't make any difference so maybe I'll vote for LaRouche if he's on the ballot.
It sucked. There are plenty of posts in the RNC/DNC thread...
Otoki
09-22-2008, 11:28 AM
I have only been working about twice a week since I got back from traveling this summer. I made serious lifestyle changes and have drastically cut back on my expenses. It's all about what I have at the end of the week/month, not what I actually make. Some changes I made:
- Sold probably more than half of the clothing I owned to resale shops
- Working on selling more on ebay
- Broke the lease on expensive apartment, now living in a shared house
- Broke up with boyfriend, don't have his car to use - I get around by bike and bus only now
- canceled gym membership - I bike several miles every day, and look better than I ever have
- got rid of my $300 phone and service - got the cheapest prepaid phone available because i only use it for "hi/where are you/meet me here" calls
- stopped wearing makeup except at work
- I keep ALL makeup and dancer stuff at work, this helps curb temptations to buy new outfits (I bought a couple this summer when I was in montana and had no stuff with me at all, but that's it!)
- i spend my time off writing, playing music, and enjoying myself.. working on making myself and my mind into my future source of income so I will have an "out"
- i now think of dancing as something i do, rather than something i am. this stopped the spending and "investments"
- getting lots of free food off craigslist, freecycle, and other resources, which saves me tons of $. cooking from scratch more, instead of eating out.
- no smoking weed, very little drinking, even fewer nights out at bars - these are total money drains
- if i need something, i buy it used whenever possible, preferably off craigslist.
This is fantastic. I'm definitely stealing your lifestyle changes:D
Honestly, though, many of the things on your list are changes I've wanted to make, and never do.
KennedyWinters
09-22-2008, 07:42 PM
MY LITTLE WYAS OF SCRIMPING CASH
-I haven't bought anything new in a while, just keep repairing older stuff and keeping them clean. I used to break something or get it too dirty and *poof* throw it away, buy it again. I only buy new stockings.
-I don't wear any jewelry! It would always snag my outfits, or break off completely and I'd feel like I needed some new rhinestone bling. I compensate with sparkley clothes or handbags.
-No more gym membership, because 5 days a week on the pole is more than enough of a workout for me. Plus my house has cable and FitTV has some great classes! Yoga, sculpting, strength, belly dance, hip hop etc
-Avoid nights out with friends :( Because we could just as easily all go to work, make it our own party and avoid the exorbant bar tab. Or get some brewskies/wine bottle and call it a night in, watching our dogs play and having a 2-person dance party on the lawn. I never much cared for fools bumping their jean cocks into me anyway :P
-Actively working to get extras girls, prostitutes fired. I always tolerated it until I saw it affecting our money. Guys that would have settled for a teasing dance, now see the option to f*ck? They're out the door like shim shazzaam!
Otoki
09-22-2008, 09:42 PM
^^Fixing clothes is a great point.
Also, doing clothing exchanges with your friends is awesome. Free "new" clothes for everyone, and anything unwanted goes to charity.
FemmeFatale
09-23-2008, 01:14 AM
I'm working fewer days per week, but I'm coming in earlier to make up the hours. This saves on gas to and from work since it's an hour away.
Otoki
09-23-2008, 10:30 PM
OOh! Do a closet (and storage) cleanout! Hold a garage sale for any household goods you don't need, and sell your gently used clothes to Platos Closet or a similar place! If you have any high-quality, expensive brand, or exquisite items, try eBay.
JayzGirl
10-07-2008, 09:19 PM
My money is improving in this economy. However, I will say that keeping myself around positive people, reading positive/inspirational books, and having a positive mindset makes all the difference in the world. Keep hope and your spirits alive during this time for better days are sure to come.
Otoki
10-09-2008, 07:59 AM
My money is improving in this economy. However, I will say that keeping myself around positive people, reading positive/inspirational books, and having a positive mindset makes all the difference in the world. Keep hope and your spirits alive during this time for better days are sure to come.
Excellent point. The worst thing I do for my money is let myself become discouraged, and it shows in my hustle (or lack thereof).
Butrcup98
10-13-2008, 06:19 PM
Staying positive is always important. We have one girl, although she is very attractive, she walks around with a gimme your money look on her face. She is always sour and complaining about not making any money.
As for saving money, does anyone pay taxes? If so, then you should write down your mileage. I saved several thousand dollars on my taxes last year.
Irelynx had a really good point. Even in the Great Depression, the picture show business is the one business that turned profits because people wanted to escape the misery around them.
I have stopped trying to push VIP and started concentrating on table dances. For $20, the guy gets one song at his table and it's great advertising for me. I don't spend as much time at each table. If I can get 2 or 3 an hour plus tips....I won't be doing any cartwheels, but I can pay my bills.
Otoki
10-13-2008, 09:57 PM
Staying positive is always important. We have one girl, although she is very attractive, she walks around with a gimme your money look on her face. She is always sour and complaining about not making any money.
As for saving money, does anyone pay taxes? If so, then you should write down your mileage. I saved several thousand dollars on my taxes last year.
Irelynx had a really good point. Even in the Great Depression, the picture show business is the one business that turned profits because people wanted to escape the misery around them.
I have stopped trying to push VIP and started concentrating on table dances. For $20, the guy gets one song at his table and it's great advertising for me. I don't spend as much time at each table. If I can get 2 or 3 an hour plus tips....I won't be doing any cartwheels, but I can pay my bills.
Exactly. Getting people to pay money to go into the VIP section of the club (no private rooms) is a tough sell, so I usually don't bother. I only advertise the "or you could pay for an hour" thing if I can talk to the guy without my brain cells trying to escape the boredom.
miabella
10-13-2008, 10:22 PM
the picture show business did really well because there were no other substitutes available.
you can't compare an era where entertainment choices were sparse with the current era of numerous cheap and free entertainment choices. the modern pie is a little bigger, but cut into far more slices. so i just don't think the math or money is there for tons of dancers to profit in this particular depression. a few, certainly, through random chance, but not as a general rule.
*Raquel*
10-15-2008, 12:06 AM
I think recessions/depressions really just thin the herd. The hustlers will remain, making great chabbo like they always do and the average girls will get thinned out... meaning, they'll quit because they won't be able to make more than they would in an average job. These times just thin the herds, that's all. In my club, we're definitely seeing thinning... less girls, which means more money for us hustlers.
Otoki
10-15-2008, 02:28 AM
I think recessions/depressions really just thin the herd. The hustlers will remain, making great chabbo like they always do and the average girls will get thinned out... meaning, they'll quit because they won't be able to make more than they would in an average job. These times just thin the herds, that's all. In my club, we're definitely seeing thinning... less girls, which means more money for us hustlers.
Wow. I hope that happens here soon. The Cities are over-crowded with dancers.
campleasers
10-25-2008, 03:31 PM
Once a hustler always a hustler
sorsi
10-27-2008, 09:58 AM
What's helped me is to realize that what matters most is confidence and persistence. Sounds cheesy, but true! Even in a bad economy, SOME people are still going to be making good money. So I might as well make myself one of those people. I've gotten a lot more aggressive in the past week or so, and my money has doubled. I figure if times are hard, my hustle needs to be even harder. ;)
The other thing that has helped is to take some pressure off. Instead of stressing, I have to remind myself that even if I only make $250 a shift, that's $1000 a week, and that's definitely above-decent money while still in school (and I can still fit my schedule around school).
And finally...I've been reminding myself that this economic slump is temporary. Just gotta ride it out, and use this time to make my hustle stronger, and when the good times come back (and they will! :) ) I'll be better off for it.
margo80
10-27-2008, 09:39 PM
sorsi, that's so positive and nice to hear the results! I don't dance too often, and actually haven't in a few months. I've been thinking about going in a few days a month, but haven't gotten over my fear of it being super slow due to the economy. The drive is about an hour, plus house fees,...and "what if"...the excuses can get the best of me (have so far). I'm going to keep your post in mind and go in as I plan for the month of Nov.
Otoki
10-28-2008, 03:26 AM
sorsi, that's so positive and nice to hear the results! I don't dance too often, and actually haven't in a few months. I've been thinking about going in a few days a month, but haven't gotten over my fear of it being super slow due to the economy. The drive is about an hour, plus house fees,...and "what if"...the excuses can get the best of me (have so far). I'm going to keep your post in mind and go in as I plan for the month of Nov.
How much are house fees and tip out? If it's under 100, there's no way you'll make less than that unless you psych yourself out. If you don't make much money, consider it a chance to read while working.
Venus Doom
10-28-2008, 09:28 PM
Sorsi: sweet message, lotsa hope and ur in school too! :) :) :)
Otoki: What, read college books? Better off hitting up a conversation with someone.
Wish these grlz would say what city they worked in so we would have more perspective of their situation, like there's 8-percent unemployment in Rhode Island.
campleasers
10-29-2008, 12:13 AM
economie is touching everybody
Otoki
10-29-2008, 01:39 AM
Sorsi: sweet message, lotsa hope and ur in school too! :) :) :)
Otoki: What, read college books? Better off hitting up a conversation with someone.
Wish these grlz would say what city they worked in so we would have more perspective of their situation, like there's 8-percent unemployment in Rhode Island.
Just any books. When I've made a round on a really slow night, I go upstairs and read a chapter, then go back downstairs to see if anyone new arrived. If she has homework to do, then she use the downtime at work to get it done. It makes me feel better about a bad night if I got something productive done:D
Fancy Chocolate
11-02-2008, 12:39 PM
Actually, what is happening to the economic outlook in the US for the majority of people defies a traditional defination. Recession/Depression are the same thing, actually any economic downturn before 1929 was referred to as a depression, but after the great depression politicians and economists alike avoided the term because of public panic.
Today we have an issue of a growing economy with a shrinking middle class but a growing upper class and increased poverty. In other words, the rich are getting richer, the upper middle class is becoming rich and the lower middle class is becoming impoverished.
So recession/ depression isn't really applying in this case. What we have is class division. Of course, the lower classes are growing a lot faster than the upper classes, but the upper classes are growing, too.
well said
Anastacia79
11-17-2008, 08:45 PM
or make flash cards so you can stay on the floor and keep an eye on things :)
Otoki
11-18-2008, 01:52 PM
^^OOOOH good idea! You could keep them behind the bar or something.
campleasers
11-26-2008, 07:12 AM
has anyone consider doing cam work?
ex @ campleasers?
sorsi
11-26-2008, 09:38 AM
has anyone consider doing cam work?
ex @ campleasers?
doing cam work for an annoying, spamming troll? No, I haven't considered that. >:(
Nicole0704
11-26-2008, 10:51 AM
The bars are crazy slow here in Florida. Hope things pick up soon!
myscza
11-27-2008, 05:51 PM
I've actually been doign cam work for about 3 months now, since things started to hit the fan here in Charlotte, and have been doing quite well it. The sites I am on encourage you to report spammers and possible fraud while doing everything in their power to help you make money. And the best part? I don't have to compete with girls who will do "extra" to make their money AND I get to spend the day in my jammies if I want. It's pretty cool, but the hustle is pretty much the same, the major difference is you automatically know which guys have money and which ones you can flat out ignore straight off the bat.
millions_of_peaches
12-03-2008, 11:28 PM
The only herd being weeded here is the custies! One girl made a sign with lights and tinsel, saying she is available for dances. She puts it on the stage when she goes up. Everybody talks shit about it...yet, it is working....maybe they are jealous. I am. Wish I had thought of it first!
Ruby Ruckus
12-04-2008, 03:49 AM
peaches, you should retaliate by wearing a big gawdy obnoxious button on your crotch, like people at cheesy restaurants wear. flair i believe they're called?
it should say "ask me about lapdances!"
or a pair of booty shorts that say it or something.
veronicachick
12-04-2008, 04:09 AM
I am really starting to feel the effects of this recession. I am having to work harder than I ever have before for the same amount. :(
sorsi
12-05-2008, 12:23 PM
peaches, you should retaliate by wearing a big gawdy obnoxious button on your crotch, like people at cheesy restaurants wear. flair i believe they're called?
it should say "ask me about lapdances!"
or a pair of booty shorts that say it or something.
hahahahaha that's awesome. I wish my club would let me do something like that. :D Because I totally would.
AngelEyezXYZ
12-10-2008, 03:06 AM
This thread is really long and I have to admit that I haven't read it all, so this may be something that was already discussed regarding dancing in a recession, but there's this website that I frequent, stevepavlina.com, and this dude sometimes has some very interesting points. His blog for today is titled "How to Make Lots of Money During a Recession", and basically he's saying that during a recession people freak out and spend less money, but when they DO spend money, it's on products of quality and value. I think that's totally relevant for our line of work, in a recession or not... check it out and see if you can get anything worth anything out of it...
(you have to find the article for December 9th, and it's quite long but I found it interesting)
Melonie
12-10-2008, 04:05 AM
^^^ this is a very valid point about people in a recession spending less money in total, and 'demanding' that they get their 'money's worth' when they DO spend money. Unfortunately, in the exotic dancing industry, this often means that during recessions many customers begin to expect to receive lots more 'bang for their buck' a bit too literally !!!
Otoki
12-10-2008, 01:13 PM
^^^ this is a very valid point about people in a recession spending less money in total, and 'demanding' that they get their 'money's worth' when they DO spend money. Unfortunately, in the exotic dancing industry, this often means that during recessions many customers begin to expect to receive lots more 'bang for their buck' a bit too literally !!!
Exactly. I didn't find the article very helpful because while dancers think "value" and "quality" means a really attentive, sensual dance, most customers just think it means "extras".
keela
12-16-2008, 10:43 AM
Well too damn bad for them ha? That's the whole point of being a stripper, rather than a ho. If that's what they want, then they can run their happy, horny fat asses to the bunny ranch. Men are such morons and sick pigs.
Otoki
12-16-2008, 11:09 PM
Well too damn bad for them ha? That's the whole point of being a stripper, rather than a ho. If that's what they want, then they can run their happy, horny fat asses to the bunny ranch. Men are such morons and sick pigs.
I don't think men are morons. I think people can be morons, and we happen to see the worst side of some customers, most of them male.
Venus Doom
12-17-2008, 08:31 AM
Men aren't so much morons as their brains are (sometimes) in the heads of their penis, like a dog/pig. U hafta forgive them sometimes, they can't help it or are immature.
Otoki
12-18-2008, 02:24 AM
Men aren't so much morons as their brains are (sometimes) in the heads of their penis, like a dog/pig. U hafta forgive them sometimes, they can't help it or are immature.
I don't buy that either. If an individual of any gender is unable to act like a civilized adult, they can fuck right off. I don't forgive people for being assholes just because they're drunk/excited/horny.