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Thread: stripper stigma in pole class?

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    Default stripper stigma in pole class?

    just a small vent -- I want to be a bit more creative onstage so I signed up for pole classes, took my first one last night. It was fun and not surprisingly I picked up the exercises really quickly, the instructor was like "Wow! And this is your first pole class? I don't believe that." Being in the environment I was in, I just said the truth "Oh, well I'm a dancer so I can do some basic stuff." She was a nice chick, but commented something awkward in front of everyone:
    "Oh.. like Jumbo's? Do you work there?"
    "Nah I don't."
    "Oh really? Well it's GREAT it's all about the pole and you don't have to take your clothes off at all. I've never been there but I've heard about it."

    It felt a bit condescending to me, and after that I definitely got a weird vibe from the room, not that I really care, but it's unfortunate that with pole dancing becoming so mainstream you'd think that a group of females who obviously enjoy it would be more open to what we do. I realize that most of these girls take the class either as an artistic hobby or to dance for their S/O -- but come on, where do you think this all originated? THE STRIP CLUB!!!!
    Unsophisticated in the finest sense of the word.


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    Default Re: stripper stigma in pole class?

    Nah, there's the whole herd mentality, and while it's fun for them to pretend, or to borrow a little of the risque sexy factor of pole dancing, it would still very much be an us housewives/office workers versus you stripper. If you're learning, don't let it keep you from going and enjoying.

    I thought the teacher's responses were a bit naff though.
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    Default Re: stripper stigma in pole class?

    There's definitely still a "stripper/adult worker" stigma in pole communities, regardless of where the "sport" ever came from. It's the main reason I rarely interact with my online pole community anymore, though I used to be on it quite a bit. There's just soooo many comments, day in and day out about how "Oh, I have nothing against strippers, but I'M not a stripper..." yada yada... Whatever... may as well just admit that you have a thing against strippers lol

    I was actually just reading a blog on a pole site the other day discussing the "pole community" in depth, and the author brought up the sex industry and stripping. Her argument was that just because pole dancing originally came from stripping that doesn't mean that it has to stay there and that the evolution of it into a sport doesn't mean that pole dancers have to support stripping or the sex industry. I understand her point of pole dancing not having to stay exclusive to the stripping world. Duh - anybody can do it now, and I love the more sporty/tricky aspects of it that I've seen lately. But saying that you can dismiss its history and not support where it came from anymore... I feel like that's saying that just because Thanksgiving started as a holiday with the pilgrims and native Americans, that doesn't mean that people can't just celebrate it as a day of being thankful for friends and family now - which is very true - but then saying that because you want it to just be that kind of holiday now, you're not even going to acknowledge how it started and are going to be very offended if someone brings up pilgrims. Lol, I don't know - seems stupid.

    Considering the stigma of stripping, (the one we all know too well), I can understand women who do it for exercise or a personal thing getting a bit defensive if someone accuses them of being a stripper. It's bad enough to deal with the stigma when you are, in fact, a dancer, but to have people getting nasty with you about being a stripper when you aren't even a stripper - ok, I can understand wanting to set the record straight. I can recall a poor woman with children who was dealing with an insane sister over her sister wanting to get child services involved to take her kids away just because she had a pole in her living room, even though she was not connected to the adult industry in anyway. I have sympathy for wanting to make it clear that you are not doing something that people could look down on you even more for. But within the community, I think "pole dancers" who aren't strippers need to come down off their high horse and stop thinking that their dancing on a pole is morally superior to the very activity that produced their "hobby."
    Don't try to win over the haters. You are not the Jerk Whisperer.

    Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.






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    Default Re: stripper stigma in pole class?

    I would have taken her aside after & let her know that I was paying to learn, not to be condescended to, & if she had only 'heard' then she probably had no business acting like she knew the reality of my job.

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    Default Re: stripper stigma in pole class?

    Quote Originally Posted by Aniela View Post
    I would have taken her aside after & let her know that I was paying to learn, not to be condescended to, & if she had only 'heard' then she probably had no business acting like she knew the reality of my job.
    Fuck that. jaydey23... Blow the class and the instructor up on yelp. Post a link right here... let other ladies know how unprofessionally this "class" is run. Mention how invasive and (quite frankly) offensive her comments and questions were to the Better Business Bureau.


    #1... It is your first pole dancing class. Just because you know how to use the pole does not mean that you've taken a class before.

    #2... It is none of the instructors business where you work.

    #3... Everything else she said is completely unacceptable.



    In NYC there was a pole dancing "school" that basically posted "No Strippers Allowed" on their site. I don't recall if they are still around but I was blown away by that nonsense.
    Quote Originally Posted by Jay12 View Post
    ^What Sophia said.
    Quote Originally Posted by yoda57us View Post
    I wish there was an "auto-like" setting that I could just have applied to all of your posts Sophia....

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    Default Re: stripper stigma in pole class?

    There is a pole class about a half hour from me and I have heard they have made comments about this and they don't really want strippers. I don't know if dancers aren't allowed but have heard of places saying "not for strippers to learn". I mean really, the pole is associated with strippers yet they aren't goof enough to associate when? screw them.

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    Default Re: stripper stigma in pole class?

    That's too bad, Jadey. When I first moved to LA, I took pole lesson classes from a really cool woman so I knew what I was doing when I auditioned. She was so awesome!

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    Default Re: stripper stigma in pole class?

    this is why when people say that pole dancing classes are taking away the mystery and naughtiness or stripping i don't get too concerned. most of them are house-wives, or professional pole-dancers who really look down their noses at strippers and make a huge point of saying " i am NOT taking my clothes off" or " i am NOT a fucking stripper". they get overly defensive because they can't handle the stigma we go through every day of our lives like aurora said. they feel like you are giving them a bad name and making their class "dirtier" because you will be using it to *gasp* take your clothes off and be victimized by men! very unprofessional of them. i would definitely complain..im planning on taking pole classes from a girl i work with so i know that i won't be discriminated against and bad-mouthed by a bunch of house-wife newbs lol. im sorry this happened to you

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    Default Re: stripper stigma in pole class?

    Quote Originally Posted by jadey23 View Post
    just a small vent -- I want to be a bit more creative onstage so I signed up for pole classes, took my first one last night. It was fun and not surprisingly I picked up the exercises really quickly, the instructor was like "Wow! And this is your first pole class? I don't believe that." Being in the environment I was in, I just said the truth "Oh, well I'm a dancer so I can do some basic stuff." She was a nice chick, but commented something awkward in front of everyone:
    "Oh.. like Jumbo's? Do you work there?"
    "Nah I don't."
    "Oh really? Well it's GREAT it's all about the pole and you don't have to take your clothes off at all. I've never been there but I've heard about it."

    It felt a bit condescending to me, and after that I definitely got a weird vibe from the room, not that I really care, but it's unfortunate that with pole dancing becoming so mainstream you'd think that a group of females who obviously enjoy it would be more open to what we do. I realize that most of these girls take the class either as an artistic hobby or to dance for their S/O -- but come on, where do you think this all originated? THE STRIP CLUB!!!!
    My favorite instructor has been at Jumbos since 2008:-) Another instructor there works at Stargarden, so do I. However, it seems ok that they do, but not me because I'm not an instructor:-( I know well the vibe you are talking about.

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    Senior Member Holly_V's Avatar
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    Default Re: stripper stigma in pole class?

    This whole anti-stripper mentality is so ridiculously hypocritical, the reason pole dancing is so popular is because it allows women to be sexy, Your telling me they're doing this 'just cos its a good work out' and its only co-incidental that you get to wear skimpy clothes and do moves putting your ass and cooch on display. Being a stripper is only one step further in that we are that bit sexier and more risque. These anti-stripper girls can kiss my rich ass.

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    Default Re: stripper stigma in pole class?

    Read tons online about the difference in pole dancers and strippers. Many pole classes don't even teach any sexy moves, floor work, or transitions. Just trick after trick. To me that lacks fluidity.

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    Default Re: stripper stigma in pole class?

    That sucks - the original pole dance for fitness chick - Fawnia - she works in vegas - was a dancer and she is the best - her classes are for EVERYONE - I am thinking your instructor caters to the house wives who are jealous - don't let them gang up on you - be your awesome self!

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    Default Re: stripper stigma in pole class?

    Quote Originally Posted by Holly_V View Post
    This whole anti-stripper mentality is so ridiculously hypocritical, the reason pole dancing is so popular is because it allows women to be sexy, Your telling me they're doing this 'just cos its a good work out' and its only co-incidental that you get to wear skimpy clothes and do moves putting your ass and cooch on display. Being a stripper is only one step further in that we are that bit sexier and more risque. These anti-stripper girls can kiss my rich ass.
    Haha! Agreed. I don't think there's anything wrong with wanting to experience the sultriness of pole dance and stripper dancing without actually wanting to be a stripper yourself. But come on, can't we all just admit that the only reason anyone would do it is because of the sexiness factor? And that the only reason the sexiness factor exists, even in the most tricky/sporty routines out there, is because everyone associates pole dance with strippers/strip clubs because that's where it came from. If it was truly just about getting a good workout, or just about the sport, or just about being artistic... well, there are plenty of other good workouts, other sports, other artistic endeavors, and even plenty of other sporty/arty dance styles out there that didn't come from strip clubs that they could participate in. So trying to take a dance style from a certain source and then turning to that source and saying "Hey, we're just gonna take your style but you can't be a part of our world anymore because we're better than you, because we won't admit that we like feeling as sexy as you do" is just... come on...
    Don't try to win over the haters. You are not the Jerk Whisperer.

    Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.






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    Default Re: stripper stigma in pole class?

    Quote Originally Posted by arielbriel View Post
    Read tons online about the difference in pole dancers and strippers. Many pole classes don't even teach any sexy moves, floor work, or transitions. Just trick after trick. To me that lacks fluidity.
    This is also completely true. In fact, a number one worry I hear from pole dancers is that they suck at transition work and they are always looking for floorwork, transitions, and other things of that nature because they have no clue how to put a whole routine together without them and feel awkward. So why any pole class would leave this stuff out is beyond me.
    Don't try to win over the haters. You are not the Jerk Whisperer.

    Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.






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    Default Re: stripper stigma in pole class?

    One of the girls I once took a pole class from used to work with me...I felt she was a little condescending towards me which sucked and I really didnt learn alot...I really lost all desire to do any pole tricks after taking one or two of those classes..

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    Default Re: stripper stigma in pole class?

    Wow, I'm sorry that happened to you...I would just recommend a different studio. Hell, most of the ones in my area are taught by current or ex-strippers...





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    Default Re: stripper stigma in pole class?

    Quote Originally Posted by dezire View Post
    One of the girls I once took a pole class from used to work with me...I felt she was a little condescending towards me which sucked and I really didnt learn alot...I really lost all desire to do any pole tricks after taking one or two of those classes..
    Just wanted to add..The girl was actually a girl I danced with..her class sucked and SHE was condescending towards me....Prolly bc I was older an knew no pole tricks..It was awful...I really dont want to learn anything on the pole..Not really 'me' anyways..Im sexy and slow...Not into polework...

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    Default Re: stripper stigma in pole class?

    Quote Originally Posted by dezire View Post
    One of the girls I once took a pole class from used to work with me...I felt she was a little condescending towards me which sucked and I really didnt learn alot...I really lost all desire to do any pole tricks after taking one or two of those classes..
    Just wanted to add..The girl was actually a girl I danced with..her class sucked and SHE was condescending towards me....Prolly bc I was older an knew no pole tricks..It was awful...I really dont want to learn anything on the pole..Not really 'me' anyways..Im sexy and slow...Not into polework...

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    Default Re: stripper stigma in pole class?

    This is so sad. I got into going to pole classes because of stripping & I wanted to add that to my work. I don't tell anyone at the classes that I strip because of that reason. I don't need the strange looks or anyone acting like they are better than me because of that. Yeah I strip & take my clothes off for money but I'm sure they do much more for free. (Venting!)
    - follow me on twitter! @ihateCocoa & on instagram! Welcome2Hollywood

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    Default Re: stripper stigma in pole class?

    Be Spun is awesome. They also sponsor the monthly show Girls Next Door: a variety dance show. Pole, tissue, jazz, whatever their theme happens to be. I go the Secret. Very cool instructors from beggining to advanced. Burlesque queen Kitty Cadialliac teaches lower level classes. Title winners Sasja Lee and Josiah "Bad Azz" Grant also teach. Leigh Acosta circus performer, tissue, lyra hoop and pole competitor muliti-talented super woman teaches beginning to super advanced classes and super brain, naturally talented spinner Drusilla Bramlett teaches the best spinning pole I've ever taken.

    Dru had a small thing about strippers at first, but the others, not at all.

    (Sorry about writing. Just got out of 2 hr. intense dental surgery. Demerol & valium still wearing off.

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    Default Re: stripper stigma in pole class?

    I was about to say the same...BeSpun is the one place in LA that I've taken class at where I didn't feel like strippers were looked down on. Their basic class IS all stripper based moves rather than pure acrobatic. But it also is a very competitive, "make-me-into-a-champion" place as well if that's where your mind is at too (which is why I take classes there).

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    Default Re: stripper stigma in pole class?

    I also signed up for classes to learn new moves and while in the class the instructor made a joke saying "I could totally go work at the strip club.LOL. But things would have to get really bad for me to have to do that." As if she was somehow doing better.. Its funny the stigma we get like we are poor girls who have no other choice to the vanilla people.

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    Default Re: stripper stigma in pole class?

    I think a lot of girls with this attitude are jealous. Think about it, they're in a pole dancing class. They're obviously interested in learning to be sexy and learning to pole dance and learning how to pull that giant stick out of their up-tight housewifey asses. They are threated by young hot girls being better at it than them. They are afraid you are going to make them look bad or embaress them. And to top it all off a good chunk of them probably wish they had the chance to be you when they were 22. After coming out to many more of my friends this year and being overwhelmingly supported...I learned that dancing is something that crosses the minds of the majority of chicks in their early twenties. We deal with being poor, being in debt, being in school, working, trying to make ends meet while doing all four of those other things and trying to maintain sanity at the same time would make any girl think about it. The girls who actually do it are in the great minority and GUESS WHAT, allllll these chicks giving you a hard time in pole class are the girls who were too chicken to try stripping when they were younger and are now trying to minimize they're regret. So fuck them, do your thing
    "We can't expect you to just know all the secrets of our top-secret-titty-club!" --Jenna Marbles

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    Default Re: stripper stigma in pole class?

    This school's website said something to the extent that you can't use their services to make money from later. So if a girl goes to a strip club and does a trick she learned there its forbidden. Ummmmmm okkkk.

    That was a while ago, now there's a pretty popular one around. I know one of the instructors left my club to teach and compete but still makes clothed guest appearances on stage. Another was a waitress at different club. The girl from my club was well known for her performances so I hope she still embraces stripping.

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    Default Re: stripper stigma in pole class?

    Quote Originally Posted by nikk View Post
    I the class the instructor made a joke saying "I could totally go work at the strip club.LOL. But things would have to get really bad for me to have to do that." As if she was somehow doing better.. Its funny the stigma we get like we are poor girls who have no other choice to the vanilla people.
    that's funny! because im always saying " hmm maybe that would be fun if i did vanilla work..but i don't think things will ever get that bad that i'd have to resort back to that!" haha.
    her comment just stems from the whole "fate worse than death " bullshit about how women in the sex industry ( mostly prostitutes) have hit rock bottom and there is nothing more shameful for a woman than selling her sexuality which must be kept pure or she is worthless. its hilarious we still have these views in the 21st century
    Last edited by simone87; 03-14-2013 at 03:44 PM.

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