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Thread: Switching to cocktail waitress

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    God/dess Pretty_Penny's Avatar
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    Smiley Switching to cocktail waitress

    I've been wanting to for quite a while now, but since I am graduating (AA) in two weeks and will only be 20 hours from my BA, I finally gave management the ultimatum:

    I cocktail, or I quit.

    Summer is approaching and the number of girls is dropping and, since I've been at my club so long, the GM wasn't thrilled about losing me as a dancer. But, I made it clear it would happen anyway. I just can't do it anymore.

    I got the call on my way home from my dayshift manager telling me that our general manager said all is go and I have the job. So, in two more weeks (ish) I will no longer be dancing. I will be the (only) dayshift cocktail waitress.

    I feel like a giant weight has been lifted off my shoulders, as cliche as that is. I think I will make a better cocktail waitress now anyway. I'm good with customers because of my wit/sarcasm/humor, but that has stopped shining through do to the pressure of needing dances and the general hatred of doing lap dances anymore.

    Has anyone else transitioned from dancer to cocktail waitress? I know it's typically the other way around.

    I will only miss two things about not stripping anymore:

    -the ability to randomly take a day off whenever I feel like it
    and
    -the stage

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    Default Re: Switching to cocktail waitress

    well, when i worked in atlanta, on slow days (nights) the shot girls/waitresses would hop up on stage and play on the pole (they wouldn't get naked though...most nights LOL)
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    Veteran Member loren's Avatar
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    Default Re: Switching to cocktail waitress

    I did cocktails for a while and I thought it was the best decistion I ever made.

    I was like you; I had wanted to bartend or cocktail or work in an office for years. I just couldn't find anyone willing to give me a break. Stripping is so tough to get out of because of discrimination due to stripper stereotypes. Once you start doing a regular job you will feel so grateful. You won't believe how easy it is to do any job after stripping.

    No matter what you will always make at least $50. You never have to worry about working for free or losing money. Selling drinks is a cakewalk in comparison to selling and doing lap dances.

    Stripping can be extremely brutal on a persons mind. It is super important to take time out to do regular jobs. If you don't, you could wind up in the streets turning tricks or doing porn and/or dead from a drug overdose or alcohol related problem. Don't be another statistic.

    If you do decide to return to stripping in the future, maybe part time, or if you are in between jobs; you will have more confidence and feel better about yourself. You will feel like their is hope again because you will have the option to choose; not just 'do whatever it takes to survive'.

    A big part of the anger I had, when I HAD TO GET OUT OF STRIPPING, was that I felt like I had no choice but to strip. I could not find anyone to cut me any slack for getting a regular job. At the time that I started stripping, I did not know that I had been the victim of identity theft. I had good skills and an education. All I knew was that the only places that seemed willing to hire me were strip clubs and they did not need any waitresses or bartenders. Strip clubs don't have employer mandated credit checks as part of their application process. So I just did what I could to survive. I was so freaked out by stripping that I went way off the deep end with prescription pills and alcohol. Once I sobered up for a year I was able to start making an effort to put my life back together again.

    Currently Las Vegas is second only to Detroit as far as unemployment is concerned so I started stripping again. Now I am able to handle it because I know that it won't be forever and I know that I have a choice. I know why I had such a hard time trying to find a job all those years ago and I have accepted it. I am a much wiser person now. And after stripping, I can do anything.

    Cocktails and bartending are a great way to start making your transition to the next stage in you life. You can always start stripping again.
    Last edited by loren; 04-16-2010 at 03:46 AM.
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    Default Re: Switching to cocktail waitress

    Quote Originally Posted by loren View Post
    At the time that I started stripping, I did not know that I had been the victim of identity theft. All I knew was that the only places that seemed willing to hire me were strip clubs. Strip clubs don't have employer mandated credit checks as part of their application process. So I just did what I could to survive. I was so freaked out by stripping that I went way off the deep end with prescription pills and alcohol. Once I sobered up for a year I was able to start making an effort to put my life back together again.
    You're one hell of a tough cookie for surviving that.

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    Default Re: Switching to cocktail waitress

    After over 3 years of dancing I cocktailed at the same club for a few months, but ended up leaving to work as a personal trainer b/c I couldn't be in the club and not dance... I missed the stage too much and seeing everyone make money while I got poo'ed on was too much.. But the waitresses at my club really get the shit end of the stick. I'm sure they are not all like this.
    I did this all b/c my boyfriend didn't want me dancing. (I know....)

    After killing myself with 2 jobs and hating my life, I realized *I* wanted to dance and left the BF and am now back at work and loving it.

    If you are ready to quit, go for it! Whatever makes you happy! If you are really tired of it you will be happier, and that's all that matters.
    Just do it all on good terms (as I am sure you are) and you can always come back to it if you decide to (or the job market is mean to you). That's the great thing about this job!
    Either way, just think of how ahead of the game you are.. The skills you have gained from these years of experience with this job really sets you up mentally for any other job you will have and money wise you should be ahead of the game as well.. Most people in your position have student loans out the kazoo and zero street smarts. You are at the top girl!

    When I waitressed, the main thing I missed was the stage.. That feeling... And I know that'll be the main thing I miss when I quit. So I know how you feel there.

    Congratulations on your (soon to be) graduation!!! You are awesome!
    What are you hoping to do after you get the degree? If you don't mind sharing.

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    Default Re: Switching to cocktail waitress

    that's awesome!

    i'm jealous.
    -love everyone but keep them far from your soul-

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    Default Re: Switching to cocktail waitress

    Good job! That is very, VERY cool. I think everyone needs to know their own limits sometimes... pushing your boundaries when you are worn out and tired of work can make you resent dancing and men all together.

    Maybe every once in a while they'll even let you do a stage set at night if you really do miss it. ;-)

    Congrats!

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    Default Re: Switching to cocktail waitress

    I recently started waitressing, at a club that I danced at before.. and unfortunately they have been giving me shit! Like getting pissed that I havent sold any champange, But NO ONE else does either! and I just got bitched out for sitting down with a customer for five minutes, while other girls sit down for HOURS at time!! I also got bitched out for cleaning too fast! YES! I started cleaning about thirty mins to close because I want to go home!! SO I cleaned the WHOLE club and every single thing was done!!! I did this three days in a row and left about fifteenth after closing.. any on the third day I got bitched at.. I was like ok well what needed to be cleaned? and they said nothing, but you have to be check out.. Im like really!!!! They are trying to force me back to dancing.. so fucked up! anyways sorry needed to vent and good luck


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    Default Re: Switching to cocktail waitress

    Congrats! You'll be great as a waitress - and like loren mentioned you can always get up and wiggle around on stage when it's slow. It sounds like relief from the pressure of hustling for dances is exactly what you needed. Also, because you're used to selling the transition should be easy and profitable for you. Wish you the best!



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    Default Re: Switching to cocktail waitress

    Quote Originally Posted by Pretty_Penny View Post
    I've been wanting to for quite a while now, but since I am graduating (AA) in two weeks and will only be 20 hours from my BA, I finally gave management the ultimatum:

    I cocktail, or I quit.

    Summer is approaching and the number of girls is dropping and, since I've been at my club so long, the GM wasn't thrilled about losing me as a dancer. But, I made it clear it would happen anyway. I just can't do it anymore.

    I got the call on my way home from my dayshift manager telling me that our general manager said all is go and I have the job. So, in two more weeks (ish) I will no longer be dancing. I will be the (only) dayshift cocktail waitress.

    I feel like a giant weight has been lifted off my shoulders, as cliche as that is. I think I will make a better cocktail waitress now anyway. I'm good with customers because of my wit/sarcasm/humor, but that has stopped shining through do to the pressure of needing dances and the general hatred of doing lap dances anymore.

    Has anyone else transitioned from dancer to cocktail waitress? I know it's typically the other way around.

    I will only miss two things about not stripping anymore:

    -the ability to randomly take a day off whenever I feel like it
    and
    -the stage
    Read the thread from SiliconeDoll she also left dancing to waitress just recently too.

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    Default Re: Switching to cocktail waitress

    Quote Originally Posted by Surprise View Post
    well, when i worked in atlanta, on slow days (nights) the shot girls/waitresses would hop up on stage and play on the pole (they wouldn't get naked though...most nights LOL)
    yeahhhh that's not allowed at my club.

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    Default Re: Switching to cocktail waitress

    Quote Originally Posted by loren View Post
    I did cocktails for a while and I thought it was the best decistion I ever made.

    I was like you; I had wanted to bartend or cocktail or work in an office for years. I just couldn't find anyone willing to give me a break. Stripping is so tough to get out of because of discrimination due to stripper stereotypes. Once you start doing a regular job you will feel so grateful. You won't believe how easy it is to do any job after stripping.

    No matter what you will always make at least $50. You never have to worry about working for free or losing money. Selling drinks is a cakewalk in comparison to selling and doing lap dances.

    Stripping can be extremely brutal on a persons mind. It is super important to take time out to do regular jobs. If you don't, you could wind up in the streets turning tricks or doing porn and/or dead from a drug overdose or alcohol related problem. Don't be another statistic.

    If you do decide to return to stripping in the future, maybe part time, or if you are in between jobs; you will have more confidence and feel better about yourself. You will feel like their is hope again because you will have the option to choose; not just 'do whatever it takes to survive'.

    A big part of the anger I had, when I HAD TO GET OUT OF STRIPPING, was that I felt like I had no choice but to strip. I could not find anyone to cut me any slack for getting a regular job. At the time that I started stripping, I did not know that I had been the victim of identity theft. I had good skills and an education. All I knew was that the only places that seemed willing to hire me were strip clubs and they did not need any waitresses or bartenders. Strip clubs don't have employer mandated credit checks as part of their application process. So I just did what I could to survive. I was so freaked out by stripping that I went way off the deep end with prescription pills and alcohol. Once I sobered up for a year I was able to start making an effort to put my life back together again.

    Currently Las Vegas is second only to Detroit as far as unemployment is concerned so I started stripping again. Now I am able to handle it because I know that it won't be forever and I know that I have a choice. I know why I had such a hard time trying to find a job all those years ago and I have accepted it. I am a much wiser person now. And after stripping, I can do anything.

    Cocktails and bartending are a great way to start making your transition to the next stage in you life. You can always start stripping again.

    I can relate to you. Not the "going off the deep end" with medication part, but just the feeling in general. Stripping would never cause me to turn tricks or whatever, but it certainly has taken a toll in other ways. I don't think I will ever go back to stripping as my full time job. I certainly hope not. If I ever start stripping again I hope it's only for "extra" money and not in order to pay my bills. In other words, I could see me doing a few days around the holidays or before a vacation or whatever. -maybe-. I assume it wouldn't be as bad if it were very seldom, but I don't really know. Maybe I'll just become completely opposed to the idea once I've stopped for awhile.
    Last edited by Pretty_Penny; 04-18-2010 at 10:46 PM.

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    Default Re: Switching to cocktail waitress

    Quote Originally Posted by 4everresolutions View Post
    Congrats! You'll be great as a waitress - and like loren mentioned you can always get up and wiggle around on stage when it's slow. It sounds like relief from the pressure of hustling for dances is exactly what you needed. Also, because you're used to selling the transition should be easy and profitable for you. Wish you the best!
    I think selling drinks will be the easiest part of the job. I imagine I will find it easier to chat with customers when it's in very short bursts. I also have a feeling they will be overall nicer to me. Which, is wrong of course, but I have noticed a difference with the way customers (overall) talk to the cocktail waitresses VS the dancers. Not that I still won't have to deal with assholes. Just that now I wont be trying to sell them dances on top of it.

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    Default Re: Switching to cocktail waitress

    Quote Originally Posted by she sells sanctuary View Post
    that's awesome!

    i'm jealous.
    Apparently all you have to do is work somewhere 4 years, get really burnt out, and pretty much threaten to quit.



    you should try it!

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    Default Re: Switching to cocktail waitress

    Quote Originally Posted by Christyismyalias View Post
    Congratulations on your (soon to be) graduation!!! You are awesome!
    What are you hoping to do after you get the degree? If you don't mind sharing.
    Thanx!

    I'm not really sure. I think I was more sure when I started. lol The closer the get the less I know. I'm guessing I'll figure it out once I start nearing the BA (in 2 or 3 semesters). I'm mostly looking into the more creative sides of marketing/advertising, but I'm also considering large scale event planning. Think more like theme park events and less like "weddings".

    Ideally I'd like to become a rich and famous artist through one avenue or another, but I'm not daft enough to totally count on it. Also, all this school and work leaves very little time for personal creativity.

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    Default Re: Switching to cocktail waitress

    Working with theme parks would be aweome!
    Good luck with it all and whatever you choose I hope you really enjoy it.

    Oh, and you will be a famous artist!! Think it into existence

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    Default Re: Switching to cocktail waitress

    I waitress 4 nights a week and dance one night. I'm getting to the point I hate it. I have not been able to break $20 the past 3 nights I've waitressed (more for lack of custies). On Friday night I left with $14. Not kidding. I was pissed and then found out the other waitress (who is twice my size) walked out with over $60. I keep being told that I need to watch her because I must be doing something wrong. Bullshit. I certainly am not. I'm being friendly to the customers and doing a little small talk. I don't know what she's doing to make it but I used to make that much with her. The girls have complained about her and suposedly the custies have too but I can't do anything about it if they don't tell the manager. If I say something then it looks like I'm trying to be lazy. Sorry got on a rant there.

    My other gripe though is the manager tells us to stay away from the bar and gets on to us if we sit down saying we're not making him money. While I was working Monday night I got told that maybe my time was coming to an end and that I may need to get out of waitressing. I hope that never happens to you Penny. I'm sure you'll get asked plenty of times why you're not on stage and if they can have your number too lol!

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    Default Re: Switching to cocktail waitress

    I know how you feel! I have been waitressing and I cant even break $50 dollars!!!! rules are different for everyone at my club, its pretty shitty..but I cant sit down with anyone.. only because they want me to dance! so the other waitresses do sit down.. and I was told not to go up to tables with shot girls, so I havent been but I see everyone else doing these things and they are making a crap load of money! THESE girls arent even attractive!!!! I mean, I dont know what it is! Most of them are Fat and do not have pretty faces, So I dont know what the hell the deal is!!!!!!


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    Veteran Member loren's Avatar
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    Default Re: Switching to cocktail waitress

    All you have to do if a guys stiffs you on the tip is just stand there counting your money, fixing loose ends on your tray, whatever. Just stand there and wait for your tip. 90 percent of the time this will make them uncomfortable enough to give you a tip. You should always make stiffs feel uncomfortable. There is no excuse for not being able to tip at least $1 per drink. Plus it's a courtesy to any dancer who is wasting her time sitting with the bum. She can either get up and leave or tell the bum he needs to give you at least $1 per drink.
    Another thing you can do is not serve them any more. You can always be busy with another order, or you have a full tray of orders already, or you will be in their section in a little bit. Don't ever put up with bums. Find a reason to have the bums thrown out. If you have a two drink minimum bug the hell out of them and tell the manager or bouncer each time they refuse to get the drink minimum. If they have the nerve to tip less than a dollar tell the bartender to make the drink really weak. Nobody deserves to break her back serving a heavy tray of cocktails to a bunch of bums. Always go out of your way to make them look like the scum that they are and let as many people as you can know so they don't get stiffed either. Eventually the losers will quit coming in and you will have a better crowd.
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    Default Re: Switching to cocktail waitress

    Not all guys who don't tip on one drink will not tip on others. I do know of guys who won't tip the waitress till they leave (like in a real restaurant). I wait on everyone equally because you never know. I don't mind the quarters or 50 cents that some will leave because that does add up at the end of the night. Our other waitress is fat but is pretty. One of our girls said she thinks the other waitress is overcharging for drinks. I don't know but I know she'll get in trouble if she is.

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    Default Re: Switching to cocktail waitress

    I doubt she will get in trouble for over charging for drinks.. Ill do that if I already brought a few drinks to a table with no tip... Ill just take my tip out with my change..


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    Default Re: Switching to cocktail waitress

    it sounds like youve been wanting to quit for a while. Im happy for you! I hope this works out well!
    The best thing i have heard in a strip club to date:
    customer: we should get married right now! we should get a shotgun marriage!
    me: uhh... i think you are misunderstanding what a shotgun marriage means. A shotgun marriage means you knock me up and my daddy shows up at your door with a gun and forces you to marry me and raise the baby. You mean elope.
    customer: hmm... nah actually i will take the shotgun marriage. At least then we would be having sex.


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    Default Re: Switching to cocktail waitress

    Sorry I feel that karma will come back on someone if they overcharge. I would be pissed if I was shortchanged by a server. A tip is earned and if the server isn't doing a good job I certainly will not tip them (and have not for bad service). And yes she will get in trouble for overcharging. She did it tonight and a customer complained. She bitched because she got caught. Found out from one of the other girls that she overcharges all the time.

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