Real Estate moonlighting as dancer. What if I am recognized?
Hello SW,
I've been considering dancing at a club here in town but have some question/concerns. I am a real estate agent during the day and was wondering if anyone else works in real estate by day dancer by night or other professional job by day. Working out of town isn't really an option so I am guessing I will run into people I know while dancing. I won't lose my day job for dancing, but how do you handle these situations? If a client I am working with finds out or comes in while I'm working?
Thank,
Dani
Re: Real Estate moonlighting as dancer. What if I am recognized?
I would honestly steer away from the stripclub if I was in real estate. If I HAD to I would work in a different city.. not in the city I worked in. There are too many problems that can be caused, you might loose clients or any upcoming clients, your (future) boss might know what you do, your co-workers. I understand that stripping and real estate are two different jobs and it is none of their business of what you do. But what if someone you work with found out, think of dealing with that person all the time, it would not be pleasing.
If you really want to start stripping, Id suggest to change your look as much as possible while you're stripping, getting clip in extensions, a wig of a different color, learn to do your make up different from day to night.
Re: Real Estate moonlighting as dancer. What if I am recognized?
Thanks Kisca. I have a decent wig actually! That's a great idea. My situation will keep me close to home at least to start off. My car is on the fritz and I won't make it to the next town. I'm super close with all of my coworkers in fact most of them know I'm planning on giving stripping a try. So the plan is to dance a month or two until I can afford to fix the car. After it's fixed if I like stripping I'm thinking I'll head to the next town over but in the mean time I'm going to have to take my chances. I have lived in this town my whole life so I just wondering if anyone has been in a spot like this and what do they say when they see someone they know? Honestly I'm counting on it happening so any advice on this would be GREATLY aprecciated. I'm meeting the manager on Wednesday.
Re: Real Estate moonlighting as dancer. What if I am recognized?
I've worked many day jobs while dancing & never been recognized by anyone from/related to work. If you did though, what are they really going to do? Chances are that they will feel just as awkward as you & not say anything, OR they will think it's totally awesome.
You could look at options like web cam though, where you can block different cities/states/zip codes.
Re: Real Estate moonlighting as dancer. What if I am recognized?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Danidoes
Thanks Kisca. I have a decent wig actually! That's a great idea. My situation will keep me close to home at least to start off. My car is on the fritz and I won't make it to the next town. I'm super close with all of my coworkers in fact most of them know I'm planning on giving stripping a try. So the plan is to dance a month or two until I can afford to fix the car. After it's fixed if I like stripping I'm thinking I'll head to the next town over but in the mean time I'm going to have to take my chances. I have lived in this town my whole life so I just wondering if anyone has been in a spot like this and what do they say when they see someone they know? Honestly I'm counting on it happening so any advice on this would be GREATLY aprecciated. I'm meeting the manager on Wednesday.
Thats not a problem if you told your co workers then. I wouldnt stress about it really, guys are stupid and drunk by next morning they dont remember shit. Good luck on wed!
Re: Real Estate moonlighting as dancer. What if I am recognized?
You could always get a wig to change your looks up. A different color or style might prevent some people from recognizing you.
Working in another city might help too, and if you can get to another city within 20-3o miles, the drive might be worth it so that you won't run the chance of being seen.
Consider taking a cab to work so that your car will not be seen in the club parking lot. Or, park your car so the tag can not be easily seen.
Also, do not talk to customers about your personal life. Its helpful to come up with a story that you can use with customers, so that you can develop that (false) persona that helps you to sell your dances while leaving the customer in the dark about your real life. If it helps do some google research to find some interesting subjects to talk about instead.
Also, do not tell your co-workers about your personal life, they are the first to blab to customers about your personal business, especially when its in their interest to make money by badmouthing other dancers to customers.
You may also consider not telling your bartender or your boss your personal business either.
Re: Real Estate moonlighting as dancer. What if I am recognized?
My coworkers already know about my plans to strip. I've known them for years and they are very good friends. In fact one of them plans on taking me down to meet the manager on wednesday. So I'm not worried about them knowing. I still don't know what to do or say if someone I know comes in. I imagine you won't make any money if you hide in the back right? Also does meeting the manager mean dancing that day? I was told to come in tomorrow morning and to wear a sundress with nice shoes and nothing underneath? Is that normal? Im sorry this is so long but I'm nervous and in a jam! If you've been stripping and someone you knew come in how did you handle it????
Thanks
Dani
Re: Real Estate moonlighting as dancer. What if I am recognized?
I own my own real estate company and I've been a dancer for 2.5 years now. I've seen clients of mine in the club on probably 4 different occasions. They were always surprised to see me, that's for sure, but I think they were actually relieved to know that I had a fun, wild side to me and not just the professional aura that I put on as their agent!
One thing you DON'T want to do is avoid them. If you see someone you know, take a deep breath, put on a big smile, and go over to them, playfully saying "Never thought I'd see you in a place like this" or something, and sit down for a drink with them. It will break any tension. My relationship with these clients has actually become better because I'm more relaxed around them now and understand how to joke around with them a little more. It lets them feel closer to you and they will be more loyal to you as a customer for both real estate and dancing.
The only potential awkwardness would be if their wife / girlfriend didn't know they were going to the club, and you are continuing to show them both houses as a couple. It will be a nice secret that you and the husband / boyfriend share, but make sure that you are ULTRA professional when you are showing them houses the next time. You don't want the wife / girlfriend to think you are flirting with her husband / boyfriend; that would make them pissed off at you and you might lose the customer.
Re: Real Estate moonlighting as dancer. What if I am recognized?
ID honestly keep it on the down low from coworkers. Wait until you are competi g for a big listing. The claws could come out stronger than you'll see with normal stripper b s !
My ex is an agent and I'm familiar with the industry. Wig is perfect idea, then getting car, then working a couple hours outside town ( I've worked in places 2.5 hours from where I live and 3.5 hours away for the last 8 months , haven't been outed , ... Knock on wood ).
Re: Real Estate moonlighting as dancer. What if I am recognized?
Chiquita - i'd say that if you OWN the company then you can afford to be a little more laissez faire if you're spotted, as an employee it may come back to bite you harder, but generally good advice for anyone in your situation.
Me, I had a professional day job and spotted people from my day job twice in six years dancing. Once i had to brazen it out with the attitude Chiquita suggests - he still ratted me out though and that was the end of that job. Second time i hid and wasn't spotted - although he became a bit of a regular and eventually i had to tip the door staff to refuse him entry and bar him for being drunk!
I'm pretty distinctive looking so no denying it was me, but if you're average height and build etc then you can always go the wig/ heavy makeup route and deny everything and if someone mentions it act all shocked and fascinated that you have such an exotic doppleganger...
But overall, a different city is less hassle.
Re: Real Estate moonlighting as dancer. What if I am recognized?
Chiquita
THANK YOU! I actually own my own as well! (I'm a broker) So I'm not worried about my "boss" finding out. As for listing homes I only work with friends as a favor. Most of my time is spent managing sales teams. Unfortunatley the market has been so bad that I do need to find a way to make some quick cash. Though I never thought I would turn to dancing, I know I can do it. I also have a dry distinct look. So even with a wig people are going to know it's me. Anyway I meet the manager at our local club today at 11:00. As for coworkers knowing, it's too late I've already told them. One of my agents is giving me the ride. I'll let you guys know how it goes.
Wish me luck!
Dani
Re: Real Estate moonlighting as dancer. What if I am recognized?
^ If you are managing a team of agents .... you have so much less to worry about ! Your face won't be in real estate ads ( I think ? .... not sure ... I now ex bf's broker did appear often in photos often in company ads ) , you'll interact with clients less , the odds of being " spotted " decrease dramatically ! You seem like you are alright . Your agents know and its sounds fine ! There is the possibility of someone being able to use back stab, so you'll have to manage that risk ( but it sounds low since you told them ).
Re: Real Estate moonlighting as dancer. What if I am recognized?
Well. I did it!!!!!
And I'll tell how it went but first Thanks for all of your answers and help! I called the manager Saturday and talked on the phone. We went through some of my concerns the main one being recognized. He said come in we will talk about it and went on to ask me to wear a sun dress nice Whois and nothing underneath. So I did. My friend Kelly who was going to take me had something come up and couldn't do it. So I asked another coworker to take me. So off me and Craig go. I show at 1100: and the door guy says he's not around and to come back at 1:00. (really?) I was a little
Upset but Craig said he had time so we kill three hours and go back. I show up and the door man points out a closet the manager is using as an office. I introduced myself and we start talking about experience. Well I tell him I have none he asks me how comfortable I am being naked in front of other people to which I answered the obvious "not very comfortable. He went on to explain that if I'm not comfortable I had better be good at pretending and told me that's the only way to make good money in the industry today. It makes sense really so he asked me to take off my dress so he can see what I looked like naked. So I do right? well he sticks his hand for me to hand him the dress and continues talking FOREVER!!!! After 20 minutes of talking he asks my to go over to the djs booth and wait for him. So I said sure I'll just grab my dress and he says I'd rather you go out naked. So I take a deep breath walk down the hall in my bday suit and wait. Craig who is suppose to be the car is not. Now he's grinning ear to ear. Two girls go through a three song set each (yes I counted) and mike the manager finally shows up. He grabs a microphone and tells the audience that I'm going to audition. So I get one song to dance to and I'm already naked. The song ends and I go charting do the hall to find my dress. The doors locked and mikes not in there so one of the girls directs me to the bar so I find him and we start talking again all the while my dress is in his office. He said I did a decent jib and could start Saturday. I accepted thinking I'd get my dress back but no we went on a tour of the club. Now about an hour into my nakedness I started feeling ok comfortable. We he'd from the dressing room which is just behind the stage across the floor to the hallway leading to his door when in walks an ex with a group of guys I went to school with. Because I had turned the corner of the hallway they didn't see me. But..... I thought why not get it over with? I took chalices advice took a deep breah turned around walked up to the guys naked smiled and said hello. And you know?? It was as bad as I thought it would be. They thought it awesome. We talked for a bit and then I when and got my dress. I am really excited about Saturday!!
Re: Real Estate moonlighting as dancer. What if I am recognized?
I think it's really weird that the manager did all that and that you had to walk around the club naked. Doesn't sound professional at all. I'm sorry, but I wouldn't even come in and "audition" for a manager that told me to come in wearing a sundress and no panties. That's just weird.
Generally you come in wearing whatever, change into dancing clothes (in the dressing room, not in front of some sleazy manager), go up onstage and audition. Sounds like he was trying to humiliate you or something. But I'm glad it wasn't a bad experience for you. Good luck Saturday!
Re: Real Estate moonlighting as dancer. What if I am recognized?
Holy crap......
Ok my relationship with my coworkers is a little hard to explain. We are life long friends and super close and we are ALWAYS pulling practicle jokes on eachother. Well they may just have pulled the mother of them all. I was a set up. They had the manager in on it craig in on it and my ex and his friends in on it!!!!!!!!! I'm gonna get them back I'm just not sure how yet. After the addition on Wednesday I was going to meet up with some of the team for dinner, when I showed up everyone was there the manager my ex his friends and a big congratulations cake for "passing the audition" I should probably be mad but you gotta give it to them they got me. Cassie my best friend and mastermind of the whole plot said she would go with me Saturday and take one turn on the stage to even the score. She did and I made sure to invite EVERYONE!!!! Aside from all that Saturday was my first night I made a whopping fifty bucks and the manager is not so weird when he's not in kahoots with cassie. Between the audition audience and the Saturday invited crew they may be two people left in town who don't know I'm dancing and who cares it was not nearly as horryfing as I thought I be.
Re: Real Estate moonlighting as dancer. What if I am recognized?
Wow, that was really humiliating for him to do that. I would have walked out. He was VERY unprofessional.
Re: Real Estate moonlighting as dancer. What if I am recognized?
Did everyone miss that he was unprofessional because he was in on a practical joke with one of her best friends??? Go back and read it again, the manager, the ex, his buddies, everyone was in on a practical joke at her audition. Everyone she knows is cool with her new job and she feels comfy naked now that she had to walk around naked for an hour and she can just relax and make bank! Babe IIII think it's awesome. Congrats and good luck!
Re: Real Estate moonlighting as dancer. What if I am recognized?
Er. How is that a practical joke? also how the hell did they manage to persuade the club manager to go along with it? IMO that is still very unprofessional. My manager is a nice guy and is easygoing but if that cost him his professionalism ie. making a girl undress in front of him in a cupboard(?) and then stealing her clothes and making her walk around naked for an hour...theres no way he would do it, even if someone was begging him to, and explaining it was a practical joke, he wouldn't do it because he values him reputation too much. There is too much to risk in this day and age, if he was sensible he would have been worried about getting harassment charge against him. What if you hadn't been so easy going about it and you had decided to press charges? Or just spread the word that he had done these very inappropriate things? That could easily harm his cred as a good manager.
I dunno. Maybe you guys are actually from a town so small that everyone knows each other really really well, like you and you're friends are all best friends with the manager so he knew that you wouldn't react badly to the 'joke' but you implied that you didn't know the guy before you met him.
Also I think maybe you *should* have reacted badly. I know you said your friends are close...but I have very close friends since childhood...and none of them try to embarrass me in such a degrading way in an interview for a new job! An interview for becoming a stripper is no more 'jokey' than an interview for a proper job and I do not see why you're friends felt it necessary to embarrass you at it, as opposed to support you when you were obviously nervous. Also, quick note, most strippers don't walk about naked all the time.
Being a stripper does not mean that you should have to do anything that feels wrong to you or makes you feel embarrassed or humiliated. *Especially* not without being paid first!