What is Stripping?
Hi Boho’s! I have missed y’all! August and September were like the craziest months for me but here we are! Finally, I’m going to do another post on something I get asked by maybe more PC friends or people who don’t know much about the industry. What is stripping? What do you actually do? I’m sure there’s a meme about this somewhere. But since I don’t create memes I’ve created a post explaining the job and industry on a very basic level.
Stripping AKA Exotic Dancing AKA Dancing
They are all the same thing with the same premise. You will be taking your clothes off for strangers for money. BOOM. Now that is a very basic explanation. Stripping is usually done in a club environment specially for adult entertainment. However, you can also find strippers on OnlyFans, WebCam sites, IG (let’s be honest), various other adult websites and privately enterprising in person. You can be a stripper on video or in person. Mostly though, when we are talking about stripping, it’s in-person within a club setting. Another in-person stripping adjunct is privately dancing for clients in their home or hotel room. Sometimes these are for special events like a birthday, bachelor party or celebrity client.
Disclaimer: Stripping is NOT what you see on TV or in films. Even Hustlers which was the most recent “strip club movie” wasn’t entirely accurate. The day-to-day stripping as a job is much less cinematic. It’s just a job like everything else. Managers aren’t going to tell you what to do. There are catty girls but there are also really nice girls. There are not big parties in the dressing room with cake and stuff. If you start stripping this does NOT mean you are going to cycle out of control and become addicted to dancing, drugs, men or anything else. The media portrays dancers so negatively. Don’t believe any of this.
How do you get ready?
Most dancers will agree that prepping and getting ready for work can take as much time as the job itself. You have to maintain your appearance – whatever that looks like for you. You have to make sure you have outfits laundered (I know ironic since you will just take the off). It also takes time to purchase new outfits, shoes, makeup etc. Time at the hair, nail and tanning salon.
So, what do you do at work?
This is a job like any other. You will show up at a certain time (usually of your choosing but clubs do have cut-off times for each shift). You have to leave at a certain time (when the club closes). When you get there, you usually go straight to the dressing room to change and finish getting ready. Some girls get ready at home and just change when they get there. Others get their makeup done by the makeup artist or fix their hair in the locker room. Over the time I danced I did a bit of both depending on the club environment. Once you’re ready you will check in with the DJ and this is when your shift really starts.
On shift you will walk around the club, sit at the bar or go on stage rotation. The idea is that you want to meet someone to sit with or a group to dance for. Then there is always the upsell. This is a sales job. You are selling an experience. Most all clubs have a VIP section and this is the goal. Clients will expect to pay more for the VIP experience and you will earn more. Charging by the hour is also savvy. You do not make an hourly wage at the club so how you charge the clients is all you will take home.
At the end of the night, you will go back to the dressing room, change, count your money and cash out any funny money you might have. You pay your tip outs and house fees if you haven’t already. Then go home! (You don’t have to go home but you do have to leave when the club closes lol).
When dancing or on stage or at a hotel room - you can expect to do one thing. Strip off your clothes to your undies or naked if that’s your vibe. To be a stripper, you DO NOT have to have sex with anyone. This includes things being done to you without your consent. There is a misconception that stripping inevitably leads to sex and I am here to tell you that is NOT the case. You can do your job and go home. You can make money without sacrificing your boundaries.
Stripping can be a fun and lucrative job if you’re smart about it. It can also be a vicious cycle if you’re not. Always think of it as a means to an end. This should not be a permanent career but something that you can do part-time while pursuing other endeavors.
Those are the basics! Clubs right now have other COVID-19 guidelines so be sure to check on those as well before you get started! Leave any questions in the comments!
Love & Glitter,
BW
