First week... Not what I expected
My first week stripping was so unexpected. I was absolutely terrified to start. When it came to applying, dancing on stage, and lap dances, no amount of videos or articles made me feel less clueless. I finally found a club that said they trained and welcomed new dancers, so I decided to go for it. My first night working was my first time ever setting foot into a strip club. Luckily, four other dancers started the same night as me and they were way more nervous than I was. This made such a huge difference because I originally thought I was going to choke and get to nervous and not make any money, but out of all the new girls I went home with the most.
I've only worked two other shifts since then. It's had it's ups and downs:
Ups: The lap dances where the guys spent the entire time talking about animals or science or telling jokes. The guys who came back for more dances. How nice all the other girls, bouncers, and managers have been to me. Customers constantly complimenting me and tipping $20 without even talking to me has been a HUGE ego boost. So far I'm in love with this job.
Downs: Filthy, broke, asshole customers grabbing me and not letting go despite my protests, letting customers waist 30 minutes of my time and not even tip a dollar, pervs trying to suck my nipples or pull my panties down in dances (at a topless only club) when the only contact allowed is touching my waist. Paying the club more than $200 of my earnings each night. Most of the customers come in for the super cheap drinks and not for the dancers.
Honestly, I'd say over 50% of the customers have tried to lick/suck my nipples even though I make it clear what the contact rules are and the club is super strict about this. I've never felt so violated and it's almost enough to make me want to quit. I tend to repeat over and over that they can't do that and they don't listen. I know I can stop the dance and get them kicked out, but I would have to kick out 50% of my customers! I usually push them away, lean wayyy back, or turn around, but then they just grope my ass. What do I do? Having to constantly fight these guys is exhausting.
The club I started at is notorious for high dancer turnover. I've only worked 3 shifts and I am already looking at other clubs nearby. Not only do they take well over $200 a night no matter what I make, they have fees for everything, including not selling a certain amount of dances. This means if you don't make any money one night they will charge you even more. Also, they require you to work 4 days a week 8.5 hours a shift minimum and give you so much shit about taking even a day off and I've heard they can charge you if you do. I'm in school and have an internship, so I'm working day and night shifts back to back. Hopefully I'll find a club that lets me come in whenever.
Overall, for as many sleazy pervs as I've had to put up with, I've met just as many amazing, generous guys who have somehow made stripping restore my faith in men as ironic as that may sound. For as shitty as the shifts and some of the customers are, I do really like the club and not sure how much longer I should stay.
Re: First week... Not what I expected
Hey, are you getting the money up front ? If not, try it . It can be a game changer. Tell them the club makes you do it that way since you are new.
Then you can walk away or air dance it if they get creepy.
Re: First week... Not what I expected
Quote:
Originally Posted by
carmen_b
Hey, are you getting the money up front ? If not, try it . It can be a game changer. Tell them the club makes you do it that way since you are new.
Then you can walk away or air dance it if they get creepy.
Thanks. I usually do get the money up front. I suppose I just need to work on enforcing boundaries. I get so caught up in wanted the customer to be happy that I don't want to walk away, but I will start being tougher about this. Trying to let go of my people pleasing ways :frown:
Re: First week... Not what I expected
Quote:
Originally Posted by
kali3
Thanks. I usually do get the money up front. I suppose I just need to work on enforcing boundaries. I get so caught up in wanted the customer to be happy that I don't want to walk away, but I will start being tougher about this. Trying to let go of my people pleasing ways :frown:
We as women are especially socialised to NEVER say no, or if the rare case of a true no being required actually ever arise ::eyeroll:: we are obligated to be as accommodating and demure as possible. It's absolute bollocks and in order to both keep your sanity and increase your earnings, you are going to have to learn to embrace your inner bitch. Do NOT be afraid to say no, and be firm about it! His feelings should NEVER be put before your comfort, your mental health and especially your safety. Some customers will be decent enough to care about your boundaries; the vast majority do not. Remember that, and do not hesitate to put them in their place or even walk away.
There is also the 'customer is always right' mentality that's been hammered into us for years by the mainstream business model. If you stick with dancing, you will encounter guys who try to play this card with you, or go over your head and try to play it with the managers, if you do not submit to whatever fuckery they are demanding. In the club, YOU are your business. YOU decide who is right. That means being upfront with them at every step of your transaction (don't ever promise anything you won't deliver on), upselling but never trying to rip them off (inflating the dance count to try and get that extra $20 or $40) and building an honest, no-bs reputation with your managers so they will be more inclined to take your side in a dispute. You won't always come out on top if your higher-ups get involved, but a combination of a good customer-service reputation and being able to spot customer BS before it escalates will go a long way toward minimising this kind of conflict.
Re: First week... Not what I expected
Also think about Where you want boundaries to be before .
It sounds like you are shocked by the high contact and I work mostly high contact places but typically for the higher contact you should be getting more than $20 a song. Typically that is. It depends on the place.
You set your prices. You set your boundaries.
Hang in .
I came back after a long break and evened as a pro who has worked SO many places , I was shocked at the grabbing this one person did before I was able to squirm away ( he gave me $21 ) . I'm very grossed out about it two days later.
So even pros sometimes have incidences and need reminders of being FIRM ( I.e. " I'm sorry but that's not the vip style dance price , this dance doesn't allow boob touching ect.") or whatever scrip you want to try.
Re: First week... Not what I expected
You might have to find a cleaner or more tame place also. Some places are " known " for high contact and extras girls. You might have found one and eventually the $ will run low when you don't offer as " much ". Not worth your sanity , good luck on next shift.
Re: First week... Not what I expected
Don’t feel like you aren’t in complete control! I was afraid to upset the customers when I was new too, but not any more! You just have to be very firm, I sometimes even will grab their hand and say if you touch me one more time I will make you pay me double or have you kicked out - that usually works for me and most of them even apologize. Idk for me it seems like they like being told what to do, weird I know. Just hold your ground!!
And hm the feed aren’t adding up for me! I usually only pay out 200ish (with tip out) if I make 1000+. If the club welcomes new girls (not that other clubs don’t) and advertises that they want new girls it leads me to believe they are taking too much and have high turnover because the fees are too high for the club and if you are brand new you wouldn’t know any better.
And four 8.5 hour shifts a week is ridiculous, you shouldn’t have to do that! I would start trying other clubs, good luck :)!
Re: First week... Not what I expected
Do girls ever renegotiate fees and hours or at least get to before leaving?
Re: First week... Not what I expected
You just gone have to kick out 50% of the dudes then
Re: First week... Not what I expected
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Rispy_Girl
Do girls ever renegotiate fees and hours or at least get to before leaving?
Depends on the club... Are you meaning to say like negotiating for a lower house fee? This can be done in some clubs for sure especially if it was really slow that night, but not at huge clubs like Sapphire where there's 100 girls working. Same for leaving early if that's what you're talking about. Depends on your relationship with the manager on duty too.