View Full Version : No strippers allowed in pole dancing class?!?!?!
Empyrean
11-23-2008, 09:35 AM
I am really curious as to which schools don't allow strippers. How ridiculous and how hypocritical.
First, you don't have to have stripper experience to be a good pole dancer and being a good pole dancer doesn't mean you can teach.
There are litterally thousands of housewives who have poles at home..I've sold over a thousand poles myself.
I don't train people to be "performers" and I tell my students that the first day of class. I also tell them that should they become professional strippers to let me know because I want to come see them and cheer them on. Also we do "field trips" at our school and I'd bring other students to see them (only if they wanted me to of course)
We use to use "for the every day woman" as part of our advertising at a time when pole dancing to the housewife was a newer concept. This helped women who were not working in clubs learn that this wasn't a class only for strippers. That didn't mean we didn't accept strippers.
I have strippers come and take classes from me, but mostly private lessons as we are teaching so many basics to women who come in afraid to even touch a pole with someone else watching and most club dancers just want to learn how to do some pole tricks, not learn how to dance as well. They are allowed in ANY class and we've had a few join our group classes on occasion as well.
I find that many women who take classes are trying to emulate what strippers have like confidence and comfort with their own sensuality, or at least that's what they beleive they have as many have never been in a club of if they have they dont' really KNOW the strippers personally. They dont' want to be dancers, they want to have their confidence and sensuality.
I think what the sales person in the store did was reprehensible and shameful! I don't know if a business has a right to turn customers away without a stated policy or maybe the size of a business dictates if they can turn customers away, but she had no right to (try) to humiliate you publicly. You could certainly sue her for that.
would have been great if you would have responded "Gee...you didn't have that attitude during your lapdance with me at the club the other night!"
Emiloo
11-23-2008, 01:39 PM
I took some lessons at a school that was owned by a former stripper, and all the women at the class were all "Oh, the owner is so cool....she must have guts to have been a REAL stripper, blah blah..." and then when it came time to introduce ourselves, and I said that I am a stripper, the room went silent and everyone started looking around nervously. Even the instructor treated me differently after that. It's like, COME ON I'm not gonna freak out and start ripping off my clothes or anything! Everyone tip-toed around me for the rest of the course...it was ridiculous.
Winged Dinghy
11-23-2008, 03:02 PM
I took some lessons at a school that was owned by a former stripper, and all the women at the class were all "Oh, the owner is so cool....she must have guts to have been a REAL stripper, blah blah..." and then when it came time to introduce ourselves, and I said that I am a stripper, the room went silent and everyone started looking around nervously. Even the instructor treated me differently after that. It's like, COME ON I'm not gonna freak out and start ripping off my clothes or anything! Everyone tip-toed around me for the rest of the course...it was ridiculous.
Yeah, I don't get that...why people find it so much easier to take if one was a "former" stripper than a current one. I mean, at one point the owner was actively dancing!
It's the same as how, when you do something scandalous, everyone thinks you're a skank...but fifty years from now, everyone will be like, "Oh, Grandma was a stripper and a nude model? What a COLORFUL PAST!"
Why can't people call my PRESENT colorful???
Nakita Kash
11-23-2008, 04:54 PM
I took some lessons at a school that was owned by a former stripper, and all the women at the class were all "Oh, the owner is so cool....she must have guts to have been a REAL stripper, blah blah..." and then when it came time to introduce ourselves, and I said that I am a stripper, the room went silent and everyone started looking around nervously. Even the instructor treated me differently after that. It's like, COME ON I'm not gonna freak out and start ripping off my clothes or anything! Everyone tip-toed around me for the rest of the course...it was ridiculous.
That is why I recommend private lessons for all my dancer students. They usually move at a faster pace then most of the class anyway.
JRdancer
11-24-2008, 09:14 AM
I can't stand it when women discriminate against other women. If you're going to those classes to open up and let your sexuality come out through dance (which is a big part of pole dancing -- it's not JUST athletic) but you're hating on dancers, then in my opinion you're hating on that sexual part of your own self too.
davka
11-24-2008, 09:40 AM
amen, JR
Vesper
11-24-2008, 10:27 AM
I agree that no one should be discriminated from a pole class because of what she does or doesn't do outside the class. It's not the instructor's business. But even though it's pathetic that women still start to "tiptoe around you" when they hear that you are a stripper, I'd rather have it that way than everybody thinking it's cool or whatever. For me it's more power and I think it's that for the industry too. We need the forbidden fruit! Having some housewives disapproving you is what keeps the customers coming because the wifey isn't doing the stuff we do. One's sexual inhibition is anothers liberty and cashflow. Sorry to be cynical, but all women will never be sisters to another, but it's fine as long as you got your friends.
sexyjasmine
11-24-2008, 10:39 AM
Honestly I believe this lady must have lost a husband to a stripper or her husband cheated on her with one and that's where this whole "no strippers" thing came from. I believe she feels its ok to be a christian and own a pole dance lesson spot because she wants to prove she can be just as sexy if not better then "strippers".
As others said if she ever find out and kicks you out?! Lawsuit time :) lol
Empyrean
11-26-2008, 08:38 AM
Perhaps the attitudes come from different socioeconomic regions? Are the judgemental women the rich housewives taking the "naughty" class to do something different while corporate hubby is off at work?
I teach in two different neighborhoods and I can see the difference between the attitudes in them. In the "stuffy" neighborhood only a few take it seriously and seldom continue past level one....my long timers and more "serious" students are in the middle class neighborhood.
It's the same as how, when you do something scandalous, everyone thinks you're a skank...but fifty years from now, everyone will be like, "Oh, Grandma was a stripper and a nude model? What a COLORFUL PAST!"
Why can't people call my PRESENT colorful???
I LOVE this! How true!
inferior wine
11-26-2008, 08:44 AM
I don't understand. How can a customer who wants to learn how to pole dance be offended by the ones who use this at work? It's hypocrisy.
Empyrean
11-26-2008, 04:46 PM
Well I don't understand it either but you do see it. Hypocrisy exists without reason in many ways. I get it myself...some snobby students come in to try something "naughty" just once cause they saw it on Oprah but then look down their noses at me because I do this all the time and make a living at teaching it.
MysteriousMisty
11-27-2008, 05:05 PM
I took some lessons at a school that was owned by a former stripper, and all the women at the class were all "Oh, the owner is so cool....she must have guts to have been a REAL stripper, blah blah..." and then when it came time to introduce ourselves, and I said that I am a stripper, the room went silent and everyone started looking around nervously. Even the instructor treated me differently after that. It's like, COME ON I'm not gonna freak out and start ripping off my clothes or anything! Everyone tip-toed around me for the rest of the course...it was ridiculous.
OK, now I'm seriously starting to wonder if those who act indifferent just because of what you do for a living have relationship problems or if they think all strippers act like the French stripper who appeared on Rock of Love & Charm School. If they think all strippers act like that, they need to get out more. If its a relationship issue, these insecure, hypocritical jack asses should be angry at their men not at all strippers. And as for the woman who was thrown out of a dance supply shop, definately see a lawyer!!!! Don't wait! A man recently sued a gym for discrimination when it came to allowing women to join for $5. There's no reason you should have been kicked out of that store! Your money is just as good as the next person's and it wasn't the place of that bitch to announce to all the customers what you do for a living!
wikidlittlegirl
11-29-2008, 03:49 AM
I have the same issue at the class I'm taking. In fact when I started I told her that I have previous pole experience and I wanted to start at a higher level and she said "not from strpping right? :O WTF? I am thinking its a tease thing. tease being the chain of studios that does these classes.
Charlee
11-29-2008, 11:18 AM
I have the same issue at the class I'm taking. In fact when I started I told her that I have previous pole experience and I wanted to start at a higher level and she said "not from strpping right? :O WTF? I am thinking its a tease thing. tease being the chain of studios that does these classes.
Where else did she think you would get pole experience?
I've so far not had anyone call for lessons who has pole experience but hasn't been a dancer - I know they're out there - just haven't had anyone.
Malena
11-30-2008, 01:24 PM
Hmm.
If the class is aimed at your "every day woman" (i.e., not a stripper) I could see how they could be shy/intimidated by the presence of someone who does this for a living (and probably already has a bangin' bod...lol!) I took pole before I started dancing professionally and at first it definitely felt very vulnerable to dance like that, even though I've been dancing (modern, belly, etc) in some form all my life. That said -- that's not a good enough reason to keep strippers out. It's hurtful and divisive. Even before I worked in clubs I wouldn't have taken a class with that kind of 'tude.
wikidlittlegirl
12-01-2008, 01:11 AM
I'm guessing she thinks its from another pole studio. there are a few others in the area. I just have to thing about whether or not I'm going to sign back up. I love the class, just don't like the idea of supporting such none positive thinking :-\
Charlee
12-03-2008, 09:46 PM
I'm guessing she thinks its from another pole studio. there are a few others in the area. I just have to thing about whether or not I'm going to sign back up. I love the class, just don't like the idea of supporting such none positive thinking :-\
You SHOULDN'T have to deal with that line of thinking, however if you are getting something from the class, I suppose you could tough it out a while longer. Again you shouldn't be made to feel bad because you are a dancer, c'mon - every girl in the class "wants" to be one but just isn't so there is no reason for you to be made to feel outcasted based on your profession...goodness!!!!
Let us know how it goes. It can be tough, I know.
millions_of_peaches
12-03-2008, 11:37 PM
take the class, and show them all up by being the best at it.
Perhaps that is what worries them....getting shown up...
wikidlittlegirl
12-04-2008, 04:39 AM
Not to toot my own horn but, yeah I'm the best in the class ::). I think that I am going to see if she lets me skip a level or two. If she doesn't I won't give her my dirty stripper money ;D, if she does I guess I can.
Winged Dinghy
12-04-2008, 04:44 PM
Hmm.
If the class is aimed at your "every day woman" (i.e., not a stripper) I could see how they could be shy/intimidated by the presence of someone who does this for a living (and probably already has a bangin' bod...lol!).
I think this has a lot to do with it. Also, I had my second class at the studio--this time with the Christian owner--and she asked me POINT BLANK what i do for a living. I am so glad the other instructor gave me a warning so I could conveniently omit one of my sources of income.
Not to toot my own horn but, yeah I'm the best in the class ::). I think that I am going to see if she lets me skip a level or two. If she doesn't I won't give her my dirty stripper money ;D, if she does I guess I can.
You so crazy. At least somebody's practicing their pole. }:D
cinammonkisses
12-27-2008, 04:20 AM
It's like being anti-chesse sellings pizzas.
OMG that is so freakin funny.
There is a pole dancing class like that in Cincy. They offer pole dancing classes for beg, inter., and expert at some really low prices. I think it's like 6-7 weeks for like not even $100. But, if you're a stripper you MUST get private instruction and that is $70/hr. WTF.
If I ever do decide to join the class, no one is gonna know I'm a dancer, simple as that!
Jezzebelle
12-27-2008, 06:53 AM
Maybe its less about an Instructor judging a student b/c she is a stripper, and more about the Instructor being highly insecure about her own Pole abilities. Its easy to impress the everyday woman with pole dancing, its not easy impressing strippers with pole dancing-they see it all the time.
A decent Instructor should be confident enough in what she does and teaches to be able to bond with anyone coming into her class who wants to learn, no matter why they want to learn it or what style.
Charlee
12-28-2008, 08:50 PM
Maybe its less about an Instructor judging a student b/c she is a stripper, and more about the Instructor being highly insecure about her own Pole abilities. Its easy to impress the everyday woman with pole dancing, its not easy impressing strippers with pole dancing-they see it all the time.
A decent Instructor should be confident enough in what she does and teaches to be able to bond with anyone coming into her class who wants to learn, no matter why they want to learn it or what style.
100%! I was really insecure when I first started teaching dancers. The fact is I don't impress dancers - they have seen just about every move under the sun, students are only concerned with if I can do the moves and if I can teach them to do the moves.
Most dancers I teach are new to dancing therefore they usually WANT to start out in beginner classes. I have no problem with that if they aren't familiar with the newbie moves.
ANYONE, dancer or not who has pole experience must first take a private lesson with me because time is money. I need to evaluate each experienced person to judge where they belong class wise and get them up to speed with all the moves in whatever level they'll be in. Make sense? If you can do a lot of moves it's a waste of your money and my class time to be in a beginners course.
420bUnNy
12-29-2008, 03:06 PM
^ omg, if it's in boston i think i know exactly who you're talking about...if so, i went for 2 group classes and never went back. she dissed the place i work at in front of EVERYONE, AFTER she called me out for being a dancer. well, not so much called me out for being a dancer, more like she ACCUSED me of being one. :(
she just made me really, really uncomfortable.
Winged Dinghy
12-29-2008, 06:01 PM
well, it's not in boston...but I'm sad to hear that similar attitudes exist there, too.
Empyrean
12-29-2008, 10:42 PM
Well at our school we frequently have strippers come in for classes but like Charlee mentioned, most of them are not going to be that impressed with what I do as far as dancing goes. I don't have personal club experience, though I'm anxious to get some in soon, so I don't have the flow that most dancers do. Plus, I think most of the dancers in clubs will dance so many hours that it starts to come naturally to them and what they need they can get from watching other dancers at the club.
They are welcome to take our group classes, though most don't as it's too basic and too slow paced for them. Most of the dancers who come to me just want a class or two to gain confidence doing some flashy tricks or if they are brand new, to learn a couple of transitional moves until they feel more comfortable at the club.
I also discount my privates for dancers from the clubs that we take field trips to.
Some will take the group classes but usually on for 4 weeks or so then they see that they will get more from a private. Truthfully, a private is more because not only my time but the student learns more if they aren't sharing the instructors time with a half dozen others and she can learn at her own pace so it's just as good if not a better value for a dancer to take privates if the instructor really can gear it toward her individual ability.
Meleania
12-29-2008, 11:02 PM
so Im curious how many (non stripper) housewives have a pole in their house??
I do, Kris Kardashian does (I saw it in her office on tv) uhh Holly Madison from girls next door does, (yea i get bored and watch stupid shows) im the only person i know who has one, im tryin to get my friends into it hehe