I have a small "office politics" situation. Nothing too dire, but I would appreciate some words of wisdom.
Last Thursday, we had a "dancer meeting" at the end of the shift with the manager officiating. The meeting was concerning some unrelated drama, but during the exchange one gal commented that, while she refused to name names, we all need to stop having conversations with the customers when someone else is already sitting there. She said that a quick thank-you for tipping the stage is fine, but that talking to them makes the dancer already sitting there feel like an ass.
I agree with this sentiment, however, the dancer to whom she was referring was ME. Allow me to explain, as violating the "one pair of tits to a table" is something I don't do.
Let's call the customer "Jeff". Jeff gave me a handsome tip during my first stage set. I thanked him as soon as I got off the stage and told him that I would return for more conversation just as soon as I had finished thanking the other tippers. He responded with "Looking forward to it. Hurry back." I thanked my other tippers but then saw that our resident Hustle Honey was working on Jeff. No worries, Hustle Honey is known so because she doesn't waste time getting those dances; I sent him a wink and sat with someone else when he winked back, knowing that she would move on quickly if she didn't get her dances.
I kept an eye on Jeff and, true to form, Hustle Honey moved on by the end of the song. I concluded my business with the customer I was then entertaining (young guy, enjoyed the company but didn't want the dance, just gave me a five for the talk). While Young Guy was tipping me the five, another dancer (we'll call her Hot Chick) sat down with Jeff. And then she settled in.
*groan*
Fast forward about 45 minutes and Hot Chick was still sitting there. I'm due back on stage, and Jeff again tips me heavily. Once I get off stage, I go to Jeff and make the hand motion to Hot Chick indicating I'm just thanking him. Then I whisper in his ear, "I do apologize, I'm really not trying to ignore you, but it's considered rude for me to sit when you are already occupied with another dancer. I don't wish to interrupt. I promise I'll be back as soon as you're through here. Thanks so much for the tip, it was very generous."
Jeff said that he understood and I left. It was another thirty minutes before Hot Chick finally left the table, at which point in time I joined him. His first words were "I finally got rid of her!" He then said that he had had his eye on me from the moment I took the stage, and proceeded to lavish compliments upon me. We had a small conversation (three minutes, tops) and then he asked me for dances.
Hot Chick was the one who made the remarks during the meeting about the rudeness of talking to an occupied customer. I think she feels that I stole "her" customer. While I suppose that I could inform her that she was, in fact, blocking him from talking to me and that he was trying to get rid of her, that seems awful mean. True, but mean.
Any suggestions?



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