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Thread: My first audition tonight in London for Paris

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    Default My first audition tonight in London for Paris

    Hi all,

    I originally posted something on "Coming Out" but I think it should have been here. Excuse my newbie-ness ;-)

    Currently I work as a hostess in London (i.e. sitting and chatting with customers for champagne commission but no dancing). At work yesterday both the manager and the owner picked fights with me over stuff which upset me and put me in a bad mood. In my club you can't make that much money if you don't want to then go back to some guy's hotel room, which I don't want to get into.

    I think I've been in such a good mood since Sunday when I decided to do it that I may not have thought about it properly. Stripping is something I've always had in my mind that I wanted to try, though.

    Tonight I've got an audition at one of the big London clubs who also recruit for their Paris club.

    I really want to do Paris because I know people in London and in Paris I won't worry about someone coming in that I know. I know London's enormous but the possibility is there more than anywhere. I'd love to do America but I can't risk getting deported and since I'm English I can just go to France with no visa. It would be better to earn the pound than the euro but never mind.

    In three months I start a grad job that will last a year. It's something I enjoy but a long time to spend in one place. This is something that hopefully I can get out of my system before I go. Of course, it's also partly because I'm hoping to make a lot of money in a short time.

    I managed to rope an ex-stripper friend who I work with into coming with me to the audition tonight. It would be cool to go to Paris together. I asked her how she felt when she was stripping in New Zealand and she said that it depended on the crowd. Sometimes blokes would bring their girlfriends and they'd make bitchy noises while she was dancing. I don't know how I would handle negative reaction to my body. I'm fairly body-confident though I suppose so I should be able to brush it off.

    I did an underwear modelling shoot recently - I know it's massively different - but although about 10 people could see me I was able to relax to an extent as I knew that's all they could do: no touching.

    Your forums are great. The main thing that bothers me from reading them is if the other girls are horrible. One post advised never even telling girls your real name! I mean, if I was introducing myself to a new hostess I'd tell them my real name.

    I hate lying to my parents but I'm doing that already. I'm doing it as much for the experience as the money. If I really put my mind to it and took some awful sales job in the city I'm sure I could make a comparible amount.

    So this time I'm really only going to tell a couple of people. When I was hostessing some people were so judgemental despite the club I worked in being totally above-board as regards extras. My best friend knows and also my friends who used to be strippers or hostesses.

    Well I'm off to this audition tonight. Writing this was very theraputic for me actually.

    So for the rest of the day I'm going to practise the moves my other stripper mate taught me at the weekend. I'm sure I'll look like Bambi trapped in a hedge but they did say no experience necessary.

    Any tips or comments, ladies? I'm nervous.

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    Default Re: My first audition tonight in London for Paris

    God, I would love to go to Paris too (I'm in Portugal.) I've sworn I would leave this place, but I'm going to look into one more club before I had back to the States. I was waiting on an agency to get back to me, but they haven't. So, I'll try one more club here. I have residency here but I don't have my citizenship, so it may be hard for me to actually strip in other countries in Europe. Let me know how the auditions go though and what they say about France.

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    Default Re: My first audition tonight in London for Paris

    Good luck with the audition.

    At the risk of being a guy advising a dancer....

    Don't get too fussed about other dancers. I hear a fair bit of the gossip, and most dancers I know in London rub along fine. There are one or two who aren't liked because they're (a) bitchy or (b) steal from the other girls - but they're the exception.

    Work-wise a lot of dancers don't seem to pass on their real names, but that's because it's easy to get confused between stage names and real names in conversation. If dancers stick to stage names when talking to each other, everyone seems to know who's being talked about. (And that's outside of work, when no one's got a need to hide real names).

    Re telling people, I'd counsel being very careful. You can't untell people once you've told them. I know one or two horror stories of dancers telling 'friends' who couldn't keep their mouths shut.

    Re the UK - there are lap dancing clubs in Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, etc. (Or even Milton Keynes). They are easily accessible on a train - although you'd need B & B when you got there. You'd also need to check on contact levels - I believe it's quite high in Birmingham for example.

    (If you're wondering where the above comes from - too many cups of coffee in dancers' kitchens).

    Phil.

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    Default Re: My first audition tonight in London for Paris

    Thanks for your advice and just for reading my post in general. I went and it was so cool. I did my dance in front of like 30 people and got the job in Paris. My mate got it too and we have another friend who's interested. So I'll probably go out next week!

    I'm hostessing tonight but as ever there are no customers. I probably won't work tomorrow. I'll miss this place because I love my gals but I'm earning peanuts.

    But I got an email from an agency offering work for me too, that one's Larry Flynt's The Hustler Club. Has anyone worked for both this and Stringfellows in Paris and can give me good comparisons? I need to choose.

    So much to prepare for...

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    Default Re: My first audition tonight in London for Paris

    congratulation! keep us updated on your club experience and make lots of money hun

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    Default Re: My first audition tonight in London for Paris

    Hiya,

    Thanks PetiteGirl! I really want to earn a lot. I have no idea how much is realistic though. It's hard to find out.

    I left my hostessing job yesterday half way through my shift because I thought on the back of getting two stripper jobs I'm sure at least one will be good. Also my old job kept back a weeks' pay so even if I got seated with a customer I wouldn't see the money if I left within a week and then I'd be taking it away from some other girl. I miss everyone.

    I decided on Stringfellows because of the reputation and the fact the club looks nicer than the photos of Hustler. This isn't how sensible people make decisions, I know, but I followed my gut instrinct. I'm sure Strings will be busier because it's more famous, at least in Britain.

    Apparently the Parisian clubs are more reserved than the English ones. You have to do fully nude though in the private dance area which I'm sort of scared about. But it's just at the end of your dance and you have to keep your legs together.

    I spoke to the guy in Paris today and he said it was a shame we're coming next week as we'll miss the Rugby World Cup final in Paris on Saturday. I thought of the English guys all over there pissed up... So we're going to go to Paris on Friday. By ferry. I hope I'm not sick the whole way but the tunnel was booked solid. I'm amazed there was any form of transport still available.

    So I have to pack up all my stuff and move to France in like a day. I'm trying to download some French podcasts so I won't be totally lost. And I need to shop for stripper clothes in Camden. I don't want to spend a fortune so I hope I find some nice stuff.

    Apparently the dresscode is cocktail and long dresses before midnight and slutty stuff afterwards. In Stringfellows in London it just seemed to be slutty stuff, girls walking round and you could see half their arses. Seems easier to have one outfit the whole night but never mind.

    I'm going to get an Engerlaaand underwear set from one of those awful tourist shops so that when my baby Johnny does his thing *yum* I can rake it in. LOL that's the grand plan! If we lose I'll have a backup outfit.

    God I've got a million things to do tomorrow. I went to the gym today and I'm going to go again tomorrow for some emergency toning. I'm so excited about Paris.

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    Default Re: My first audition tonight in London for Paris

    Congratulations on passing the audition.

    Quote Originally Posted by MinnieTheMinx View Post
    Apparently the Parisian clubs are more reserved than the English ones. You have to do fully nude though in the private dance area which I'm sort of scared about. But it's just at the end of your dance and you have to keep your legs together.
    It's what guys want to see I'm afraid. Expect to be stared at intently.

    Quote Originally Posted by MinnieTheMinx View Post
    And I need to shop for stripper clothes in Camden. I don't want to spend a fortune so I hope I find some nice stuff.
    Ah-ha: the ex-dancer friend at work. Nice to have the inside track before you even start. I believe there are one or two shops specialising in dancer clothing, plus of course the market itself.

    Quote Originally Posted by MinnieTheMinx View Post
    Apparently the dresscode is cocktail and long dresses before midnight and slutty stuff afterwards. In Stringfellows in London it just seemed to be slutty stuff, girls walking round and you could see half their arses. Seems easier to have one outfit the whole night but never mind.
    A lot of Stringfellows income comes from shift fees - the money you pay them to work there. They'll put as many girls on shift as they can get away with to maximise their profit. It means you're competing against other girls for the money customers will spend.

    Your outfit is one thing that will get you noticed, so girls wear that they think the male of the species will like. If a girl has a nice backside, she's going to show it - ditto cleavage. If you can't attract customers wanting to buy dances, you won't earn.

    I did put up a light hearted thread in the Newbie section about how customers view dancers.

    http://www.stripperweb.com/forum/showthread.php?t=87522

    You might find it useful.

    Good luck...

    Phil.

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    Default Re: My first audition tonight in London for Paris

    Having lived in Paris for a bit, Hustler was always infinitely busier than Stringfellows and in a more lively area of town just off the Champs Elysees. Its direct competitor was Pink Paradise/Platinum which was caddy corner to it but it had more a of a couples friendly, young crowd and the older guys who seemed more likely to spend were at Hustler. One thing I did not like about Stringfellows is that it serves dinner in such close proximity to the stage, which is just a small podium, that it seemed a bit awkward. Like, guys would be turned away while they were eating or have bored expressions on their face and it would seem to be difficult to walk up and try to hustle a guy with a full plate on his table in front of him but perhaps things get better when the kitchen stops serving? Dunno..but I'd say from the looks of it, Hustler seems to be the best bet, with Pink as a close second. They are all upscale but Stringfellows is in a sleepier location and most people would not happen upon it randomly whereas everyone swarms all over the Champs Elysees/8th district and Hustler would be hard not to miss.

    Congrats on getting hired either way. The dancers at each club were top-notch.
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    Default Re: My first audition tonight in London for Paris

    Hello everyone! Thanks so much for the advice and I'm so sorry it's taken me this long to reply. I have been on a shared connection and I didn't really want everyone to know what I was up to... anyway now I'm on my own laptop.

    God those BLOODY SHOES are killing me, it was actually my third day when I started to get big strap sores across the front of my feet. So I was in black stockings with taped up feet underneath so I didn't have to hobble. I fell over once on the uneven floor, LOL although hardly anyone saw. I can walk in them quite well now though.

    Well I've been there a week and the money's OK, not a fortune and I'm definitely going to study the Hustle Hut section hard now. I picked up some tips from the other girls but I don't want them to think I'm using them. The other girls are really nice and not bitchy. I have a bit of a language barrier which can be a real pain and I'm sure I would do better with the customers and make friends with more girls if I could speak better French.

    I mean some of them speak no English at all and I don't want to be the stereotypical native English speaker who thinks the world revolves around the English language... anyway I do have a go with my shit French and they seem to appreciate it.

    God you have to be thick skinned! It's not so much the customers but the management have told me variously that I need poledancing lessons, my underwear is not sexy and I need to change my makeup, hair and clothes. They're just trying to help but it can be hard to take in, especially in quick succession.

    I was amazed when my direct boss told me I should wear more makeup to stand out. I thought I was trowelling it on! Then I really went to town and did it drag-queen style like stage makeup and very bright and she said it looked better. I have to admit it must look better from a distance and certainly on stage. I got my hair cut in layers too. This is costing me a fortune but hopefully I can stop spending as quite such a rate soon.

    I was sort of suprised about the poledancing comment as I can see mself in the mirrors and I thought I looked OK. I can't do tricks but apparently Strings doesn't really like anything too acrobatic anyway. But she said I looked a bit uncomfortable - I hadn't been feeling uncomfortable!

    I'm planning to go for this poledancing lesson next week, I'll just have one and see how it goes. I just want to get the basics down really and look sexy, I don't care about the fancy stuff as I'm only doing this for a couple of months.

    One guy I was private dancing for told me to slow it way down. He did me a favour actually, I look much more like the other girls now.

    The dress code seems to be quite strict, my boss said to wear stripper dresses and not seperates like some I had brought with me. But some of the other girls are in seperates... well I'm just going to play it safe. I love my outfits, I only have a few but it's like my fantasy life. One of my underwear sets is black PVC with a suspender belt and two customers asked me to whip them! I can't touch them but it was funny. One guy laughed at it though, which was rather off-putting although I think he liked it.

    The guy on the phone had told me it was long evening dresses and cocktail dresses before midnight but it's not. It's stripper dresses. They can be transparent or very revealing but they are not evening dresses. I felt like a dick in the long dress I bought which would have been suitable for a wedding or something! My advice to anyone starting who's never done it before would actually be just to buy one or two things they think are suitable and then wait and see when you get there. I found that my tarty clubbing dresses aren't revealing enough when I thought they would be.

    My first two nights there were lots of English guys over for the rugby. I think I was being too down-to-earth because a couple of them said they didn't want a dance because I was too nice and English and for want of a better word, middle-class. Of course they could have just thought I was a dog(!) but it did happen a couple of times so now I make sure to be more flirty.

    I also told them it was my first night and I'd decided to become a stripper on Sunday and I think that freaked them out. I thought I should play up being new but I think they didn't want to break my "innocence". I also said I was doing it as a fantasy, for the experience more than the money. That's true, I had a job in London that paid OK but I wanted to experience stripping, and try to make a lot of money in the process of course.

    Phil, I was surprised when you said don't say you're doing it for the money, because I think when I say the above the guys think they'd rather spend it on some girl who claims she's earning money for her studies. I mean, I'm not just doing it for fun!

    Some of them asked really personal questions like what Uni did I go to and what companies did I used to work for, fortunately I prepared responses for my fake life. They ask me what my real name is too, which rather defeats the object of having a fake name. Mine's not obviously a fake name but if they do ask I usually say "Of course!" jokingly. I don't tell them what it is, though.
    One of the mistakes I'm now trying to correct is that I was staying too long with particular customers.

    One guy bought two private dances and then one of the managers said to me that she thought he was wasting my time. She was right, he's probably not going to tell me to get lost but he probably wanted another girl or some time to drink.

    I felt bad leaving after he'd brought me drinks and dances but my mate told me this is NOT the attitude, I'm here to make money from them! So I'm flitting like the Stringfellows butterfly from group to group.

    The reason I spend too long is probably because I used to be a hostess and have to sit for hours with the same guys. It's so much more interesting talking to loads of new people all night and the sales buzz keeps me going. I know the more I earn in a night the more proportionally I'll be able to keep without having to worry about covering my house fee and hotel.

    One bloke I was sitting with was going on and on about how he didn't like the English, he went to England and he didn't like it... if I was hostessing that would have really pissed me off and I would have argued but I just smiled prettily and saw pound signs! I excused myself graciously and he called me over later and asked for a dance. In the private dance room he apologised for being so rude, and I accepted, of course. As I was dancing topless, inches from his face he even declard "God save zee Queen"! It was the funniest thing ever. He came in a couple of days later and I got another dance. Do you know what, he was charming after that. I almost forgot about the Anglophobia.

    London: I would be interested in Hustler if it doesn't work out here, the pay seems to be quite low for dances though. Also, I'd be dubious about the lapdancing, where I am it's strictly no contact and I don't know if I'd be comfortable rubbing up against someone. I was talking to a girl who's newer than me and she used to work for Pink Paradise. She said the money wasn't as good. Also - I know this is shallow - but from the websites Hustler and Pink don't look as posh as Strings inside.

    Yeah it's a pain about the restaurant. My manager told me when I started that it was bad manners to disturb them while they're eating but I've seen other girls do it.

    I got a dessert yesterday though! My mate told me sometimes they offer to buy you food and I was sold. Sometimes they are looking at me with a plate of beef or something and I feel weird going up to them. Now what I'm doing is just introducing myself briefly if there's no customers in the main room so they will have me in mind later. If they're on dessert, coffee or wine though then that's fine.

    The restaurant also means there's a lot of women coming in in mixed groups. I find that a bit weird and haven't approached many men with women. Other girls do tabledances for women but I think most of them order one for the experience and I wouldn't want to have some woman looking uncomfortable, exchanging looks with her mates about me.

    I went up to a mixed group the other night and after a while noticed the bloke I was talking to had his hand on a woman's leg! Aaargh. I was all set to piss off and then this woman turned round and said: "For what reason are you talking to him?" I said I hadn't realised he was your boyfriend, sorry and left.

    But then afterwards I thought hold on, you're in a strip club, mate! Here's an idea, next time don't bring your psycho jealous girlfriend along. My colleague said I should have stuck to my guns and said well this is a strip club, we sell dances. It's what we do. She shouldn't have come along.

    It can be quiet, on Saturday I was sitting with one other dancer chatting for a while which I'm not used to. One thing that surprises me is how slow the other girls are to approach new customers. As soon as they get their drinks I tend to pounce if I'm free, although they mostly earn more than me. I don't get it as they seem to sit around a lot without customers. Maybe I look desperate. Some of the customers tell me they'd like to just drink for a bit before they have a dance but it's hard to tell if they're just politely trying to tell me they'd prefer another girl.

    After a night now I feel fine, because they can't touch I don't feel like I've done something that I'm not OK with. It's weird because I used to be so modest showing my body but now I feel so comfortable. I love it when I dance and the guys are watching me undress. The only thing that pisses me off is if I'm dancing on stage and not enough guys are looking at me! It's completely the opposite problem to what I thought. Also if I'm hot under the lights I can't wait to take my clothes off. And I've found throwing my hair back while dancing is a good way to cool down.

    We have to dance onstage for three songs. One clothed, one topless or in a bra and thong and one just in a thong. I noticed all the other girls are topless for the second song. I thought it looked sexier to go to bra and thong second, but the other day I wore a dress I can't wear a bra with so I had to go down to topless second. I got way more attention. I'm converted.

    It doesn't bother me dancing for old disgusting blokes either, I feel safe that they can't touch and I go home with the other girls too. God I've had to dance for some gorgeous guys too, it drives me mad that I can't touch them then.

    So it's been tough for a couple of reasons: hearing some home truths about my appearance and dancing, and settling in to a new country where I don't know anyone. Also being told I have to buy this and that to look better and for whatever bloody theme night it is. I'm not used to six nights a week either.

    But now I'm starting to build up some euros I'm getting more comfortable and I'm definitely glad I came over here. Everyone asks why didn't I just work in London but I couldn't have it at the back of my mind that someone I know might come in. I was even worried about it the other day but I think I was just having an off day.

    The first two nights I was turned on as hell when I got back to my flat but now I've sort of got used to it! Then Monday brought me back down to Earth with all the suggestions for improvement. I appreciate them though, I want to maximise my stripping potential.

    I'm going to have a hot bath to soothe my poor aching muscles. It will be cool to get more toned.

    Oh my god I almost forgot to mention, my so-called friend who was going to come with me didn't turn up!!! I have emailed her twice and nothing. She used to be a stripper before so I don't know why she got cold feet. She owes me money for the ferry and coach too that I booked for her. What a bitch to do that to me and not even send me an email to apologise. I thought I knew her fairly well, she's not like a random, so I was so disappointed and angry when she did that. We have mutual friends too who have heard very little from her although enough to know she's still alive.

    I'm glad she didn't come though, she would have done my head in. She is the most selfish person I know, in hindsight.

    Well any further tips and comments would be appreciated. Thanks for reading all this!

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    Default Re: My first audition tonight in London for Paris

    Quote Originally Posted by MinnieTheMinx View Post
    Well I've been there a week and the money's OK, not a fortune and I'm definitely going to study the Hustle Hut section hard now.
    Separating the male of the species from his money is (I suspect) a skill that has to be learned. We want to get the best value possible, and you want to separate us from our money as fast as possible.

    Ive always thought a dancer's personality is more important than her looks or dance skills - as IMHO it's her personality that makes men decide to buy dances.

    Quote Originally Posted by MinnieTheMinx View Post
    God you have to be thick skinned! It's not so much the customers but the management have told me variously that I need poledancing lessons, my underwear is not sexy and I need to change my makeup, hair and clothes. They're just trying to help but it can be hard to take in, especially in quick succession.
    Probably easier to say than to recieve, but it's better to get feedback than just left to find things out for yourself. They're probably got a fairly good idea as to waht makes money. (Bit of self interest there, cos the more their cdancers make, the more they make).

    Quote Originally Posted by MinnieTheMinx View Post
    One guy I was private dancing for told me to slow it way down. He did me a favour actually, I look much more like the other girls now.
    It's advice often given by the more experienced dancers on this board to newbies.

    Also from the male POV we want to look, and it's difficult to focus on a blur.

    Quote Originally Posted by MinnieTheMinx View Post
    I also told them it was my first night and I'd decided to become a stripper on Sunday...I also said I was doing it as a fantasy, for the experience more than the money...Phil, I was surprised when you said don't say you're doing it for the money...I mean, I'm not just doing it for fun!
    Most times guys seem to like the idea that you're new(ish). Reason for that is they like to think you're dancing because of the fun you get out of it, and not just the money. Male mindset can be that if you've been dancing a long time, you're become tired and cynical.

    Re dancing for the money, again, guys like to think you're getting fun out of what you do.

    "I'm dancing for the money to pay for my studies" is probably not as good an answer as "Everyone's got to earn a living - and isn't it great I can earn mine at something I enjoy".

    Quote Originally Posted by MinnieTheMinx View Post
    Some of them asked really personal questions like what Uni did I go to and what companies did I used to work for, fortunately I prepared responses for my fake life. They ask me what my real name is too, which rather defeats the object of having a fake name.
    "Date the dancer" syndrome. A lot of guys like the idea of seeing a dancer outside of work and 'making a personal connection' they see as being the first stage to doing that.

    You could always have a 'fake' real name to reluctantly admit to. How's he going to know you're telling porkie pies?

    Quote Originally Posted by MinnieTheMinx View Post
    One of the mistakes I'm now trying to correct is that I was staying too long with particular customers.
    From a guy POV that's fine - we're not paying for your company. Which is why guys will keep you talking as long as possible.

    Plenty of advice in hustle hut as to the optimum length of time to spend on a guy.

    Quote Originally Posted by MinnieTheMinx View Post
    London: I would be interested in Hustler if it doesn't work out here, the pay seems to be quite low for dances though. Also, I'd be dubious about the lapdancing, where I am it's strictly no contact and I don't know if I'd be comfortable rubbing up against someone...
    A lot of guys do like contact unfortuntely. Search for 'grinding' in the threads.

    Not sure about the contact level in London clubs, but I believe there's some.

    There are also clubs in Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, etc, if you don't want to work in London.

    Quote Originally Posted by MinnieTheMinx View Post
    Some of the customers tell me they'd like to just drink for a bit before they have a dance but it's hard to tell if they're just politely trying to tell me they'd prefer another girl.
    A lot of guys are surprisingly shy about saying no. Letting down a pretty girl and all that. The advice you'll find in Hustle Hut is to exit gracefully, while asking if you should come back later.

    Quote Originally Posted by MinnieTheMinx View Post
    We have to dance onstage for three songs. I noticed all the other girls are topless for the second song. I thought it looked sexier to go to bra and thong second, but the other day I wore a dress I can't wear a bra with so I had to go down to topless second. I got way more attention. I'm converted.
    We guy react more to visual stimuli than women do. Subtle doesn't always work. You got more attention because seeing you topless is what we came to do, not see you as we might on the beach.

    Quote Originally Posted by MinnieTheMinx View Post
    It doesn't bother me dancing for old disgusting blokes either...God I've had to dance for some gorgeous guys too, it drives me mad that I can't touch them then.
    You might find well behaved old guys a good bet - more likely to be relaxed about the whole thing.

    Quote Originally Posted by MinnieTheMinx View Post
    Everyone asks why didn't I just work in London but I couldn't have it at the back of my mind that someone I know might come in.
    The odds are relatively low as long as you work well away from where you live. Having very different make up to real life helps as well. I know a number of dancers in london, and I don't think they've had any embarrasments on those lines.

    Your problem might be curious male friends 'accidentally' dropping in to see you working.

    Quote Originally Posted by MinnieTheMinx View Post
    The first two nights I was turned on as hell when I got back to my flat but now I've sort of got used to it!
    You and me both - now I can sit in a changing room of naked dancers and not bat an eyelid. (Was not always thus.... )

    Phil.

    PS Glad it's working out.

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    Default Re: My first audition tonight in London for Paris

    LOL you too, Phil? Yes, its surprising how fast it cam become samey. I was having a shower in front of my roommate too the other day like it was nothing.

    Oh god I can imagine my male friends coming in, that would be so weird. I have a couple of guys I was casually seeing and that would be quite fun, but then I would have to earn money and would feel uncomfortable hustling them.

    Yeah other British cities are something to think about I suppose. I hope I sort out my wardrobe sufficiently to be left to my own devices for a bit... my makeup and hair appears to be OK now although I was told my underwear wasnt suitable again last night. Its hard to know what I can wear and what I cant because some dancers wear very similar stuff to what I have been told not to wear.

    Well my old hostessing instinct tells me to go for the old guys anyway... Phil, whats your experience sitting in dancers changing rooms? Did you used to work in a club?

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    Default Re: My first audition tonight in London for Paris

    Quote Originally Posted by MinnieTheMinx View Post
    Oh god I can imagine my male friends coming in, that would be so weird...would have to earn money and would feel uncomfortable hustling them.
    I have several friends who are dancers. We decided a long time ago that if I go into work (I give them lifts home when London tranport packs up) we'd both be more comfortable if I took no notice of them dancing.

    If you know people from outside of work, you may feel uncomfortable dancing in front of them too.

    Quote Originally Posted by MinnieTheMinx View Post
    ...I was told my underwear wasnt suitable again last night. Its hard to know what I can wear and what I cant because some dancers wear very similar stuff to what I have been told not to wear.
    Not sure on that one. Is it an apparent quality thing? That they want expensive looking lingerie to maintain the ethos of having a 'class' establishment?

    Many big chains (lap dancing venues included) often try and maintain a brand image.

    Quote Originally Posted by MinnieTheMinx View Post
    Phil, whats your experience sitting in dancers changing rooms? Did you used to work in a club?
    I take one or two dancers along to private parties and other one-off dos. If the room they're changing in is big enough I often sit in there and chat - makes the time go quicker for all of us. (Plus, it helps to keep out the ungodly. )

    Phil.

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    Vivacious
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    Default Re: My first audition tonight in London for Paris

    Quote Originally Posted by MinnieTheMinx View Post

    God those BLOODY SHOES are killing me, it was actually my third day when I started to get big strap sores across the front of my feet. So I was in black stockings with taped up feet underneath so I didn't have to hobble. I fell over once on the uneven floor, LOL although hardly anyone saw. I can walk in them quite well now though.
    Do they sell foot pads at the drugstore where you are? These are great. They are skinny so they don't show.




    Quote Originally Posted by MinnieTheMinx View Post
    One guy I was private dancing for told me to slow it way down. He did me a favour actually, I look much more like the other girls now.
    Tuning into your customer is very important while doing a lapdance.

    Quote Originally Posted by MinnieTheMinx View Post
    Of course they could have just thought I was a dog(!) but it did happen a couple of times so now I make sure to be more flirty.
    Yes, as a dancer, you want to be a different species from the women they meet all day. You don't want to remind them of the women they work with.

    Quote Originally Posted by MinnieTheMinx View Post
    I also told them it was my first night and I'd decided to become a stripper on Sunday and I think that freaked them out.
    I wouldn't get into long conversations or deliberations over why you've become a stripper. Have a short, pat answer, laugh it off and move on. Even if you're new to the club, they're going to want to think you're experienced in lapdancing. Give them that impression. Touch them while you talk to them.

    Quote Originally Posted by MinnieTheMinx View Post
    Some of them asked really personal questions like what Uni did I go to and what companies did I used to work for, fortunately I prepared responses for my fake life.
    Just give them a few quick answers and try to turn things flirty again. Your goal is to get dances.

    Quote Originally Posted by MinnieTheMinx View Post
    It will be cool to get more toned.
    Is there a gym in your area? Your body is your best selling point so...it's a great way to do something for yourself in a strange country and keep yourself busy when you're not at work.

    I too started off dancing in a foreign country, so I know how hard it is. On the bright side, if you decide to continue, you will find it easier to dance in other places because you were in an environment that was harder to work in due to the language barrier and lack of your normal life. Feel free to PM me if you need any advice and good luck!! And don't worry too much about all the advice coming at you at work. Being a dancer involves a bit of a transformation and try to separate those opinions from YOU and who you need to be at work. They are two different things.

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    Default Re: My first audition tonight in London for Paris

    Hi,

    Phil W: I dont know about the underwear thing. I got told that ones of mine are too big, too small and the PVC material looks cheap. HOWEVER I really cant see for the life of me the difference between the stuff that Im wearing and the stuff the other girls are wearing. I said is it no PVC and she said no, just mine looks cheap. It wasnt cheap actually and Ive never had boyfriends say it looks cheap despite going out with a few "honest" ones.

    Some girls wear stuff I dont think looks particularly expensive, or in thongs that are bigger/smaller than mine. Im not sure if everyone is receiving as much advice as me.

    Anyway Ive got a poledancing lesson this weekend so that will be something to (almost) cross off my advice list. I dont want to learn anything fancy like acrobatics as Im only here for a while but I want to look more confortable.

    Vivacious: Thanks for all your advice, its really good. And its nice to have support from fellow dancers.

    I had a look at those foot pads, they look great, thanks so much for sending me the link. Im going to get the clear ones. My shoes have stretched since I bought them and now this girl told me they look too big, but at least my toes dont hang off the end which looks terrible.

    Its private dances actually, were not allowed to do lapdances as such. Its strictly no contact. It seems easier to do a slower dance as well when youre exhausted although my poor thighs.

    Yes youre right I decided Im not there for the conversation. At first I felt bad not doing that but I read a lot on the forums here and Im going to try to be the fantasy girl. I actually find this much harder with fellow native English speakers because its easier to chat to them. With French guys I hide behind the language barrier a bit. Im constantly being told my French blokes my English accent is sexy, I think thats so funny because we think theirs is. I had no idea they liked it before I came over.

    I was talking to this group of English and German guys last night and only got one dance in like half an hour of sitting with them. I find it impossible to get "sit downs" so I should really leave and come back if theyre going to be like that.

    The gym... I was going to the gym a lot before I came out but now Im so tired and aching from dancing all night I dont think Id have it in me. I might start a bit of swimming but Im hoping the dancing alone and a good diet will do the trick.

    Aaargh this girl the other night turned to MY CUSTOMER as I was talking to him and said "Can I ask you a personal question?" He said yes, "Would you like a private dance?" Oh my god and the worst thing was he went with her. I was surprised actually. I bitched to my friend as the manager had said on my first night that that wasnt cool. Anyway I couldnt remember if it was just bad etiquette or actually breaking the rules.

    My mate said it was against the rules and I should have told the boss. But Im not a telltale and I am friends with this girls friend. Hmm. its getting a bit late to bring it up with her now as its three nights later but I think I will mention something next time I speak to the girl. I dont want to get the manager involved unless I have to.

    She is new back to the club but she worked there previously so she must know the deal. The stupid thing is as well that she only makes a couple of tickets a night because she seems to sit and waste a lot of time chatting to girls and interesting but timewaster customers and doing comedy pole dances.

    ALSO what pissed me off last night, I was on the podium, the smaller stage and these waitresses and a dancer were taking photos of each other, not taking care to get me out of the background. I freaked out and got down from the stage. I was like "Dont do that" they ignnored me, its partly the language barrier. So I got back up and they started taking another. I was SO pissed off, I complained to them and one of the managers and she was like oh it was the staff?

    Theres a notice saying no photography when we come in so it looks ridiculous if the staff are taking flash photographs all over the place.

    Then at the end of the night they asked me and all the other girls to have a group photo on the stairs in out halloweek outfits. I declined.

    And why can noone queue in this country? Everyone pushes in front of me to get paid.

    Ok well that was my rant. Exhale. It probably a dumb idea to publish all this stuff on the net but whatever. What do you think?

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    Default Re: My first audition tonight in London for Paris

    Quote Originally Posted by MinnieTheMinx View Post
    Phil W: I dont know about the underwear thing. I got told that ones of mine are too big, too small and the PVC material looks cheap. HOWEVER I really cant see for the life of me the difference between the stuff that Im wearing and the stuff the other girls are wearing.
    I'm not exactly an expert on fine lingerie myself, but does your underwear look like it comes from a major chain like Tesco's or M & S? (Even if it doesn't).

    Is it a case of the cut, etc? A friend of mine is into finer lingerie, and she says the French and especially the Italians do far better lingerie that UK companies.

    The other possibiity is that your managers just like being a little bossy. All you can do in that case is play the innocent and ask her/him to point out the differences between what you're wearing and what another girl is wearing. Ask one or two follow up questions. If they're being bossy, they'll start to waffle as you keep on asking 'why?'

    Quote Originally Posted by MinnieTheMinx View Post
    Anyway Ive got a poledancing lesson this weekend so that will be something to (almost) cross off my advice list. I dont want to learn anything fancy like acrobatics as Im only here for a while but I want to look more confortable.
    I got suckered into having a go at pole dancing once by a couple of dancers I know. You need bare legs to grip the pole, so I ended up flat on my ass when I tried. The dancers were trying to prsuade me to try it sans jeans, but I thought the manager of the club would go apeshit if he came back and found me in my underpants!

    Quote Originally Posted by MinnieTheMinx View Post
    I was talking to this group of English and German guys last night and only got one dance in like half an hour of sitting with them. I find it impossible to get "sit downs" so I should really leave and come back if they're going to be like that.
    Advice from the other side of the fence.

    Guys like dancers who stay a long time chatting, it doesn't cost us money like dances do.

    (a) As you say, there's a practical limit to how long you can afford to stay chatting. Time is literaly (lost) money.

    (b) How much do you know about body language. (One of my hobby horses). 60% - 70% of the information we get on how people react toward us comes from body language. If you can understand the clues in people's posture and gestures, you've got a better chance of spotting the guy's who'll by dancers from you.

    Let me know if you want a potted guide.

    Quote Originally Posted by MinnieTheMinx View Post
    Then at the end of the night they asked me and all the other girls to have a group photo on the stairs in our halloween outfits. I declined.
    Was it the management that asked? If so, it's sometimes politically wiser to go along with such requests. All managers have favourites and people on their shit list, and people they deem uncooperative can end up on the latter.

    Friend of mine calls it 'people engineering' - gently manoevering people so you can get the result you want.

    Phil.

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    Default Re: My first audition tonight in London for Paris

    Phil, no way am I appearing in any photos in a strip club, whoever asks. It was the girls who asked but even if it had been the management I still wouldnt have gone along with it. That is way beyond what I am prepared to do. Who knows what could happen to a photo like that? Im amazed they assumed Id be OK with it.

    No, its not a case of the cut. Theres nothing wrong with them. I had to buy this nasty polyester thing to replace it which is apparently OK.

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    Default Re: My first audition tonight in London for Paris

    hi minnie, really enjoying your updates so far, i always watch the english girls with interest because i can relate more.

    my piece of advice is, stand up for yourself. that's with the managers, the other girls and any other staff you come in contact with. sometimes niceness is misconstrued as weakness and some people get off on trying to exploit that.

    if another girl blatantly disregards rules/etiquette again, try and say something to her as soon as possible about it. don't let them treat you badly.
    same with the managers, but perhaps a little more subtley!

    not sure about the undies query though... seems very strange. maybe you could show a picture of the stuff you're wearing? a link to a website? (sounding like a troll now!)

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    Default Re: My first audition tonight in London for Paris

    Quote Originally Posted by MinnieTheMinx View Post
    Phil, no way am I appearing in any photos in a strip club, whoever asks.
    Sorry, trod on a raw nerve there - forgot you wanted to keep your dancing very much out of the public domain.

    But my underlying point remains. It's generally worth being as accomodating as possible to your managers without stepping outside of your personal limits. In any business managers tend to give slightly more favourable treatment to people they like than people they regard as a little distant.

    Quote Originally Posted by MinnieTheMinx View Post
    No, its not a case of the cut. Theres nothing wrong with them. I had to buy this nasty polyester thing to replace it which is apparently OK.
    That sounds a little like your managers making sure you know where you stand in the pecking order. Not nice when you're being pecked on, but a part of life unfortunately.

    However, all I can suggest is that you remember most managers are judged on their results. It's not in *their* interests to give your poor advice, or get you to wear lingerie that's not the optimum for appealing to customers.

    However, its not just a case of giving good advice, it's the way you say it. Maybe your manager is poor at (wo)man managment and is giving you good advice, but in a bad way.

    Morever, management is a two way operation. In my line of work I try and manage upwards as well. I know what I think the business should be doing and a try and manoevere my manager into doing it. A win from my POV is getting my ideas adopted, and I'll generally use whatever tactic I think will best achieve my ends.

    Same from your POV - your managers have two things of value to you.

    (a) The opportunity to make your life slighty easier at work.

    (b) The knowledge to take you up the learning curve quickly - this increasing your average earnings as quickly as possible.

    Most people like giving advice - why not ask it of your managers?

    You'll gain in two ways. Firstly, you'll get in their good books by asking for their help and secondly, any knowledge that boosts your earnings is directly reflected in your bank balance.

    Phil.

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    Default Re: My first audition tonight in London for Paris

    Quote Originally Posted by sugar_spun_sister View Post
    my piece of advice is, stand up for yourself. that's with the managers, the other girls and any other staff you come in contact with. sometimes niceness is misconstrued as weakness and some people get off on trying to exploit that.
    Yes. I remember when I was very new a manager started harassing me on stage while I was dancing (at a topless club) saying my G-string was showing in the front (no nudity on the stage). Well, I thought I was going crazy because I looked down, it was covering everything. Later one of the girls explained to me it wasn't my g-string. That was his way of letting me know he didn't like the song I was dancing too (it had some rap in it.) That was pretty insane. But some of these people are insane.

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    Default Re: My first audition tonight in London for Paris

    I'd suggest asking your manager of the names of a few stores she recommends with appropriate bottoms/outfits and buy a few pair there. As long as you are polite and make a concerted effort to listen to her advice, I'm sure after a while she will leave you alone.
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    Default Re: My first audition tonight in London for Paris

    Sugar: Youre right, I think I should be assertive. I am often too "nice" in a lot of situations, work and other times and people take advantage. They think they can say whatever they like and youll just take it. Its shit because I dont want to be a bitch but some people see that as weakness.

    Some other girls were going to get in a taxi last night and my mate was like "We were here first". I know its just a small thing but sometimes it seems hard to phrase things like that. They apologised, claimed not to have noticed and we got our taxi. People dont queue in this country though as strictly as in the UK but it does make me see red.

    I read your post yesterday but didnt have time to reply - another girl did the same to me on Friday night. So I spoke to this second girl last night about poaching my customer. I was speaking to a customer who was with his friend. This girl came up to them both and started talking to the friend but then asked my customer for a dance too.

    Do you know what? They both said sorry, that they preferred me. I looked gracious but felt so smug, served the bitch right. Then she went off and spent the next half hour staring me out - as if Im scared of her - and what looked like fake crying. It was really weird and pathetic. She was sitting next to one of the managers talking to her too so I can only imagine this is acceptable.

    So last night in the changing rooms I said to her what happened. She said she couldnt speak English, conveniently, and my manager was within earshot and said shed translate. I would have rather spoken to the girl alone but she was well out of order and if shes not going to play nicely then neither should I. I said what happened and this girl claimed that he had asked her to return later. WELL ALL CUSTOMERS SAY THAT.

    Anyway my manager said that if he had said that there was nothing I could do about it. She then said that this girl had been there a long time and knew the rules. Well thats a good line, one Ill have to remember if I ever get into stealing other girls' customers. So I was pissed off that that behaviour was apparently OK and she didnt get in shit. And am I going to get the same response whenever another girl whos been there longer does something? She said that all the girls were telltales which Im ashamed not to have risen above but I dont see what else I could have done in that situation.

    I still havent spoken to the first girl that did it but its hard because we have a mutual friend who I still want to hang out with.

    I havent been told anything about my clothes since Monday I think so hopefully they are deemed alright now. I get pissed off because some of the other girls wear stuff that Im amazed is OK and presumably they dont get told off about it because they continue to wear the same stuff. Like really mismatched colours and styles. A red halterneck dress with an ill-fitting white pinstriped non-halterneck cotton bra???

    Or a (I am not joking) man made cheapy looking velour dress in fluorescent 1980s orange with co-ordinating collar piece. Words fail me. The latter was worn by the first girl who stole my customer, to my eternal shame. I mean, how could he have gone with her???

    Youre in the UK, my mate told me it might get dead in Paris soon, do you work outside of London? I wouldnt want to work in London but I would seriously consider somewhere like Birmingham or Manchester.

    I dont have a picture of the PVC stuff, but rest assured its nice normal black PVC. I have put it back in my suitcase for another occasion...

    Phil: I have my personal limits and I am very clear about them. Its just a shame other people dont respect them. Of course I will happily do whatever the managers ask if it is within this.

    Vivacious: Aaargh some of the girls wear stuff bigger than mine, or like proper knickers with an arse, not even a g-string. And some wear stuff as small as my very small ones. I admit my small ones are teeny but dont show anything inappropriate for a topless stage show. The rules say all sorts of things not to do on stage but lots of the girls do them. LOL yeah its pretty insane. I saw another new girl getting what looked like a pep talk about her appearance last night which at least shows its not just me. Hmm, maybe it is something else theyre bitching about.

    London: Yes she gave me the names of some shops actually but I think I can make so with my limited selection of approved underwear for the time being. I am only doing this till Christmas so I dont want to buy a lot of stuff.

    Its so good to have a night off tonight, Ive never had a job where I did 6 days a week before. I didnt make any more than I did last week unfortunately, I was hoping to up it as I got better at it.

    I had my poledancing lesson yesterday which was good despite being told what to do by this arrogant girl who was also on her first lesson and not even a dancer. This is what put me in such a belligerent mood last night. Id try something first - we had to share poles - and she was like no, no. I told her to have a go herself then. It was good to learn to spin and have a chance to try new stuff and be able to mess it up without an audience.

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    Default Re: My first audition tonight in London for Paris

    Hey gals, Im really getting into it, Im so glad I came out. Paris is pretty busy for this boat festival at the moment and I beat my record for tickets the night before last.

    By all accounts from the other girls you have to go through this new girl phase of being told what to do/wear etc and it seems to have subsided for me.

    I feel bad about bitching about the girl in orange now because I got to know her in the past couple of days and she is really lovely... oops. I think its just because shes very carefree and outgoing she didnt consider whether it would piss me off by taking my customer like that. First impressions, hey.

    I am being more ruthless about leaving customers who dont want a dance in the first song or so. Often there is nowhere to sit so I have to go in for the kill pretty quickly anyway. And now I make sure to look the customer in the eye and touch him on the arm when I ask for a dance. Before I was asking in his ear which at first seemed more natural over the loud music but I think its easier for them to say no if theres no eye contact.

    I was saying "Voulez vous un danse" but was told that sounded a bit pushy so now if I cant get them speaking English Im on "Vous avez envie pour un danse?"

    I constantly get told "Oh youre beautiful, usually English women are ugly". LOL is that a compliment or an insult? I think they have this bizarre image of a load of ugly people sitting around eating roast beef in the rain. In England which is a place in Scotland. Hmm.

    Vivacous, those foot pads are a good investment, they do keep me going for longer. You have to be careful to poisition them so theyre right under the ball of the foot though. I put them in ever so slightly wrong so I was treading on the edge of the pad and started to get shooting pains. It was weird but I played around with them and they felt good again.

    At the moment the restaurant area is fully booked up and its a total nightmare trying to get dances before they finish their meal. I mean, they dont want to have a dance with a plate of hot food in front of them. Also there are a lot of mixed groups and I feel a bit strange trying to hustle whats probably someones husband in front of her.

    They are more receptive during dessert or whatever but usually I just try to hustle for a bit, tell them Im dancing next if I am to try and get a bit of attention on me and get them to remember me for later. Its frustrating if there are so many guys there all saying to come back after their meal but after they start on dessert I can return.

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