Perks and Pitfalls of Exotic Dancing

Everyone has an opinion about exotic dancing and those opinions can range from outrage to excitement. One can find enough information out there in the world to make a case for any side of the argument. No matter where you stand on the subject, there is one reality about the profession. It is a job rife with positive and negative aspects, just like any other job. It can be a lucrative profession or it can be a trap.

The movies and television both glorify and demonify exotic dancing, in extremes, for the sake of audience approval-or shock factor. Out of these depictions, myths and biases have evolved. This article is here to present some real world perks and pitfalls straight from a source, inside the world of exotic dancing.

Let's start with a scary story out of the news. A young exotic dancer was shot to death, in a car, along with her male companion. One's mind might automatically seize on the exotic dancer idea and hang blame there. The imagined scenario would go something like this: A crazed fan follows the exotic dancer out of the club and attacks her and her boyfriend in a possessive rage. Don't you watch Law And Order? Investigation is necessary, no jumping to conclusions.

An inside source paints a slightly different picture. According to the source, the exotic dancer was taking advantage of the man who shot her. He bought her a house, paid all the bills and thought they were in a relationship. It wasn't a case of possessiveness on his part. The young woman often boasted about how she used the man and flaunted her activities with other men. It was a case of jealousy or a case of enough is enough, but a mitigating factor was not her job, it was how she conducted her life. Don't misunderstand, this author does not believe the man was justified in what he did. This story is offered only to instill the idea that exotic dancing is a job, not a way of life. Replace the exotic dancer designation with bank manager in the headline and see where your mind goes.

So, now that the field has been leveled, what are the perks to exotic dancing? The biggest one is the money. This author is reminded of CSI: Crime Scene Investigations, when Catherine Willows was on the stand giving evidence. The defense attorney was attempting to discredit her testimony and create bias in the jury. He hit Catherine with a statement and a question something like this. "Before you became a CSI, you made your living as an exotic dancer. Isn't that so?" Catherine's response was priceless, " A very good living." This author knows of one young lady who "danced her way through college." Don't laugh, no cliché, it is true. By the time this young lady received her high level degree from a prestigious college, she was debt free-no student loans and she owned her own home.

Gifts also come with the territory-clothing, jewelry, flowers. Just be sure there are no "strings" attached to them. Another item on the perks side (which could also find its way to the pitfalls side) is that exotic dancing has a relatively high turn over rate, so there are always jobs coming available. If you are good at exotic dancing and want to make a full time living at it, there are plenty of places to work all around the country. A few ladies have gone into modeling-but this might not be the best profession to spring board into mainstream modeling. It could come back to "haunt" you. A family advertiser might be put off by previous work. Final perk, the work will keep you in shape. It is good exercise. Doesn't Goldie Hawn have a pole in her bedroom? She looks great!

Now for the pitfalls. Oh, my aching legs and back. Have you seen those heels? Exotic dancing is physically taxing and takes its toll on the feet, knees and spine. There are health hazards. Second hand smoke can be more damaging than smoking and you are really sucking it in, when you are dancing. There is also the potential for mold and dust to be problematic. Most clubs are dark, have few or no windows and who knows how often that air system filter is changed.

You must be tough to be an exotic dancer or you will be crying much of the time. The young woman or man stepping into exotic dancing must develop a "thick skin" and be able to ignore the comments of others. People can be ugly and shout out hurtful things, which can be very personal. "Your thighs are fat!" "What a cow!" The exotic dancer will be faced with drunks, people of dubious backgrounds and intentions, as well as people who will attempt to lead them into alcohol and/or drugs-even prostitution. It is a "party" atmosphere in the clubs, though some people's idea of a party may differ from your own. Resistance is essential.

Exotic dancing is a competitive "sport" between dancers. Everyone wants the big tippers and jealousy can be intense between some. Sabotage of costumes and skimming customers away is not uncommon. Spiking of drunks and stealing may be less common, but it can occur and on occasion, someone may want to get into a fight. "Hey, house mom!" (The house mom, if she is good at her job and not biased, will intercede and referee disputes. The house mom is the one who "makes it all better.")

If you decide to try your foot at being an exotic dancer, here are a few things to remember:

• Follow the bartender's rule: don't drink while you are working-and just say no to drugs, they will suck up your earnings and, if you get hooked or randomly tested, you could lose your license and be looking for a job. "Would you like fries with that?"
• Keep your personal life to yourself and don't bring your work into it.
• Stay safe - don't walk to your car alone after a gig and watch to be sure you are not being followed.
• It is not a romantic profession. It is unlikely you will meet Mr. or Mrs. Right on this job.
• See a chiropractor regularly.
• Don't blow your money, invest it. Gravity gets to us all. This is rarely a lifelong profession.
• Don't borrow money from the house or other dancers.
• Choose your club carefully. If you turn into a moneymaker, your employer may be anxious to keep you. You may find it difficult to switch clubs. People in the business tend to know each other.

There you have it. No glorification or demonification, just a few facts. It isn't heaven, but then few jobs are that good. It isn't hell, unless you let it be. In the short run, it may be a way to get you from point A to point B. In the long run, it is a bit like being an athlete-eventually you'll blow out your knee. Always keep your sites on point B and when you get there, put point A behind you.