Second Day Trying to Apply. So Discouraged
So yesterday I hopped on the bus to finally apply, but ended up missing my stop and sitting on the bus for an hour before having to call a family member to come find me. Today it happened again. I got dropped off less than half a mile from the club and figured "No big deal, I can walk." Got completely lost all over again. So that is two days in a row now where I've ended up in the middle of the city, terrified and alone, makeup and blonde hair all dolled up. I am 18, but have no car. Reading these boards, I felt so empowered. Like, hell yeah, I'm gonna dance and take no shit! But after ending up alone on the sketchy side of town, I feel a lot smaller. I realize that I'm no badass. I am scared to audition now, but this is something that I really, really want. Can anyone give me advice? I've never called a taxi service in my life. What do I say? How much do you think a five mile drive would cost? I have looked online everywhere for answers and I just would like to hear personal advice now. I feel so discouraged. How can I manage such a high stress job if I can't even read a damn map?
Re: Second Day Trying to Apply. So Discouraged
Reminds me of my first time! The first day I tried to audition, I drove around for 3 hours trying to find the place, eventually found it at like 10:00 pm, only to be told that I had to come back for amateur night. The next time I tried to audition, I arrived on amateur night...but I showed up just when they opened (I thought it was a good idea to be punctual - it wasn't) at 6:00 pm before they'd even opened. So I didn't actually get to audition until the third time I went to the club. I had to gather my ladyballs up a total of three times to finally audition and be offered a job. It was a nightmare! I was scared shitless. I was wondering if this was some kind of 'sign' that I didn't belong in the business.
Try to look at it as a test. You're right - if you can't get your butt into the club, you have no business dancing. But if you've gotten yourself this far, it sounds like you're up to the task! The beginning is the hardest part of a dancing career. So prove to yourself that you CAN do this. I'm assuming you don't have any friends who can drive you to the club, or perhaps it's just important for you to do this on your own. Sure, call up a taxi. A five-mile drive won't be expensive at all. Call them up, ask for a taxi to come pick you up at your address, give the driver the club's address, and you'll be on your way. If you're afraid of the interaction with the taxi driver, then put some earbuds in before the taxi gets there, hand the driver a piece of paper with the address on it ("here you go!"), and jump into the back seat. The only thing you'll need to hear is the cost at the end of the trip. Beforehand, spend some time figuring out exactly where the club is before you get there - familiarize yourself using Google maps with nearby landmarks (McDonalds, etc.). Put the club's number into your phone so that you can call them for directions if need be.
I really, really feel for you. This is the HARDEST part of dancing - you feel alone, vulnerable, and you're questioning yourself obsessively. It's like an initiation rite. Seriously...by the time you get to the club, it'll seem like a comparatively small deal to actually audition and start working. We are here for you! We've all been through this. Be safe! And keep us updated!! :grouphug:
Re: Second Day Trying to Apply. So Discouraged
Five miles is not going to cost much. Go w/ one of the larger, more reputable cab companies, or explore Uber or its equivalent, if there is one where you are. After giving the address, if you feel uneasy then take out your phone & pretend to make a call, telling 'the person on the other end' that you're in the cab on your way over now.
You don't need to be rude or short w/ the driver, but you are also under no obligation to talk to him. IME most cabbies are not trying to be obnoxious, they are just trying to entertain themselves on a long shift & are perfectly harmless. They will also generally pick up on it if you don't want to chat & leave you alone. Just tip him a couple bucks when he drops you off.
Keep an eye on the meter so you will catch if he tries to pad it. Also, like Charlie said, familiarise yourself w/ the area you will be in, via GoogleMaps, or hard maps, or whatever, so you will know if he is trying to inflate the bill by taking you on a longer, out-of-the-way route.
I used to take a cab every nite, from the club to my car, when I worked in DC (I lived in VA during that time, parked on the Mall & walked to work). The cabbies did not always take the exact same route every time, but they got me where I wanted to go w/o taking me out of the way. There was only one time I got taken to the wrong place, & it was an innocent mistake, as the driver mis-heard me, & he was kind enough to adjust the meter slightly in my favour to make up for it.
Re: Second Day Trying to Apply. So Discouraged
Are there clubs in non sketchy areas of your city? That might go a long way to helping you feel better and safer. As for calling a taxi service -- it's pretty simple. You literally just call and say you'd like a taxi to your address, then wait for it to show up. Give them the address of the club and don't get out anywhere else. Pricing varies by city, so I have no clue what it'll be for you, but 5 miles isn't super far so it can't be that much. Good luck!
Re: Second Day Trying to Apply. So Discouraged
You can ask the taxi service when you call for a quote. Generally they can give you an idea. I remember when I was just a baby stripper. I would have never had the balls to go in and audition by myself. My sister actually started dancing before me and I auditioned a week later. I don't even think I wanted to dance. I just followed her as I always did....and here I am almost 10 years later! Happy and grateful I put on those heels and got on that stage the first time.
That also gave me the courage to pursue a modeling career. I did quite well and flew all by myself all over the country. More than anything it was great experiences. I learned how to travel alone, get taxis, to trust, rent cars, get directions. Who to trust, who not to, etc. It made me so self sufficient and independent.
Don't let a couple detours change your destination. Pause, regroup and go in there with a new game plan!
Re: Second Day Trying to Apply. So Discouraged
I think Über has a $20 ride credit if you download the app.
Re: Second Day Trying to Apply. So Discouraged
When you call tell them your address and where you want to go and for a quote.
Re: Second Day Trying to Apply. So Discouraged
Re: Second Day Trying to Apply. So Discouraged
If you can't figure out how to use a bus and get around town on your own independently and have never used a taxi service in your life it sounds like you're not mature enough to handle dancing. Sorry, I don't want to sound like a bitch but reading your post scared the shit out of me, and I would hate to see something bad happen to you. First off, you should not be applying at sketchy clubs right off the bat. Start at the top and work your way down. But seriously,you aren't going to be able to call a family member to come and get you out of a bad work situation, so I think you might be better off looking for a waitressing job in the core of your city so you can get used to being more independent, being downtown, and using public transit/cabs before you start dancing. You need to be able to take care of yourself 100%, and you need to be able to anticipate problems/danger, and I don't know if you're there yet if finding the right bus stop is too much of a challenge at this point. Just my two cents.
Re: Second Day Trying to Apply. So Discouraged
Update!
Everyone gave such great advice. Thank you so much, everyone. All the support is what pushed me to finally call the taxi. I took all day getting ready, sort of stalling out of fear, but then I finally called and I was on my way. They hired me straight away. Some of the girls were pointing and whispering, which made me nervous, but I got through it eek. I feel comfortable taking the taxi now, so I plan on never taking the bus again. It was much cheaper than I anticipated; you all were right.
You guys are just so freaking awesome. The first two replies to this forum gave me all the courage I needed. And Odette, thank you so much for being concerned and giving me honest advice. Hopefully it helps put you at ease knowing I'll be starting day shift and not taking the bus anymore (:
Re: Second Day Trying to Apply. So Discouraged
Re: Second Day Trying to Apply. So Discouraged
I want an update, tacohut! Are you busy raking in the cash? :D
Re: Second Day Trying to Apply. So Discouraged
If you have a smart phone, you can set the destination and use Google Maps to make sure the cabi is staying honest.