Economic crisis - would you pole dance for a living?

ShonaLancs started this discussion · 9/14/2012

So the other day my mum, nan (who Bought me my pole), extended family who were visiting I were discussing over dinner my poling, when my mum chipped in 'but it's not like you do it for money' to which I replied ' I would, if it was my only option and I could get the hang of the sexy stuff'. My mum was a little suprised, not negatively, just that she had never associated my pole hobby with earning money. I also would never have considered it an option before now. So, I pose the question, for those of us who dance for ourselves not for a living. Would you??

42 replies

chemgoddess1 · 9/14/2012
I wouldn't just because I do not have the "hustle" that is needed to actually earn money.
Lyme Lyte · 9/14/2012
Oh, i so would if i was about 20 years younger and didnt have the start off the saggy ass thing going on. I wouldnt do full nude, only topless.
Leanne Love · 9/14/2012
As much fun as I know I would have doing it, I wouldn't do it because I know a lot of the men would just piss me off for being cheap, nasty pigs, or both.
luvlee · 9/14/2012
No. Absolutely not.
chemgoddess1 · 9/14/2012
Annieloo....yeah, there is that totally bitch factor that I would have to learn to curb too!
Leanne Love · 9/14/2012
Now, if I could do something like what Jenyne does (she's in Cirque du Soleil now!) I would in a heartbeat!!! But yeah, I don't think I really want to be a part of the club industry.
Divine Gotcha Hooked · 9/14/2012
I would do it wrinkles and sagging. I have babies that depend on me and I can't call their daddies for help. If it was just me, by myself. I probably wouldn't because I think I would be ok.
Mitzy Blue · 9/14/2012
Yes- without a doubt. I have several friend who pole dance for a living and personally it's a great way of earning income.(and it's fun. Most clubs don't even require the pole dancers to strip- just dance. Even then- the body is nothing to be ashamed of so I wouldn’t mind undressing. PLUS- for poling we wear so little anyhow, now there is just an audience!) Add in the factor that right now I work an awful job at just above minimum wage in retail- I get treated worse than most pole dancers and people don't even realize that they are doing it. At least with pole dancing people are actively being jerks in most cases and it's not just the "you are the stupid robot behind the counter and you mean little more than gum on my shoe if you can't please me I'm going to make YOUR life hell for no particular reason other than I want to throw a tantrum." I would switch to pole dancing for money ANY day of the year. Whether it was strip club, circus, or performing at fairs or something- I would. I also know though that if one chooses to work poling at a strip club you need to look for a club that has very strict rules (ie, no touching the girls, ect.) and strict enforcers/bouncers. There are sleazy clubs, yes- BUT there are also some very clean and nice to work at clubs. No I couldn't cut it at Vegas where you have to have more hustle but not all places are like that. So all in all- yes. I might have less respect from people who don't know how much skill it takes but in all honesty I would be happier. Anyhow- that's my two cents.
Wiley · 9/14/2012
It depends. I don't have a problem being naked and showing it off, as I have worked in the adult industry before, but I probably wouldn't be able to keep up with the husle and potential cattiness. If I was guaranteed a set amount of money and if people actually enjoyed it, I would do it.
MadisonsWorld · 9/14/2012
Ok. Yes I would and I have..as far as the jerks, yes there jerks, but not all..and once you do it for awhile,you start to get regulars or goobers as we would refer to the really good ones that spoiled us..lol..I actually met my hubby at the club I worked at and he never hit on me or was in any way an ass..and actuLly I had to hit on him .anywho, you also don't have to dance like u are in competition...I did very few tricks and was more of the sensual kind of dancer(love dancing to Depeche Mode and that type of music).everyone has their own talents and style. If everyone danced like Felix or Jeanine or any other pro,u wouldn't be unique...and not all guys get into that..I danced at one of the strictest clubs at the time, even when a new club opened and the girls were raking in some major bucks...I was a mean girl towards new girls that didn't follow the rules just because I wasn't going to go to jail for not following rules(when I danced many yrs ago,clubs were getting busted esp the new one for illegal activity,but mine never did)..dancing in a club is not for everyone..it is a hard job mentally and physically..I turned into my alter ego when I worked,Madison(hence the screen name)..but I don't see anything wrong with dancing in a club as long as you don't get caught up in the dark side of it..
LillyBilly · 9/15/2012
Yeah, sure, I would do it for the experience regardless of my economic situation if I didn't think it will have consequences on my other careers.
PippiParnasse · 9/15/2012
I think there is absolutely nothing wrong with dancing for money, whether you use a pole or not, whether you use clothing or not. I also think there is a difference between being an entertainer and being a squeeze toy. I am not in the adult industry (I have a very low bullshit tolerance and also a tendency to hit people who get in my personal space), but from what I've seen there are few clubs that actually enforce no-touching rules. And at least in NY the ones that are (theoretically) cleaner and stricter don't allow pole work anyway. If someone is fine with letting their performance be, uh, interactive... whether it's their boots or their boobs that are getting manual attention, that is fine! I just don't think that's dancing. So if want you want is to DANCE, you should do some research first. :)
poledanceromance · 9/15/2012
I would love love love to break into the performance pole sector for some extra cash. As for club dancing, I have no problems with it and have long thought about trying to pick up shifts at a topless club. But I also have serious bitch factor sometimes and I would probably suck at hustling...I let the boys come to me until they're close enough to ensnare completely ;)
Desiree Lust · 9/15/2012
Well, here's the thing. I work at a club as an entertainer and it's not what you thing. You would think strippers make a ton of money but really, they don't. It's like gambling-you never know what you're gonna get. It's all about getting lucky and finding that one guy who is gonna spend on you. So if you have the gift of gab and can hustle like that, sure. You'll make money. But you also have to take into consideration that 1. you are competing with 40 other girls. 2. Alot of guys don't buy dances, they just come for the drinks and the show. And you make peanuts on stage. So in reality, yes, the pole dancing is entertaining, but you wont make a dollar on the pole. You make your money crawling along the edge of the stage putting your boobs in someone's face or doing private lap dances. With that being said, I would keep your dayjob and the pole dancing as a hobby. I've had good nights where i've made $600 and i've had bad nights where i've gone home with $20 after paying house. I've worked in 3 different clubs and house fee averaged about $40 at each considering tipout for the DJ, door guys, etc. Yes, thats right, you have to pay to work. Hope this helps :)
calipolepixie · 9/15/2012
I LOVE strip clubs...visiting and hanging out at them that is. I just like the atmosphere. At one time, a loooooonnnngggg time ago, I considered becoming an exotic dancer. But then I became close friends with several strippers and found out the truth--it is NOT easy--the cattiness is insane, it is often emotionally and physically draining, it is not glamorous and 90% of the time you don't make any "real" $$$ on a consistent basis--the amount of hustle you have to do is ridiculous to make any decent $$$, then you have to pay the house rent to work there and tip out to the the dj, etc, which leads you with diddly at the end of all that hard work. I definitely have alot of respect for girls who do strip for a living because I know what a hard job it is. Some people are cut out for it and others aren't and that's perfectly ok. I am definitely NOT cut out for it. I got laid off almost 6 months ago and not once has the thought of becoming an exotic dancer entered my mind. I am perfectly happy poling for fitness only.
Hazelnut · 9/15/2012
wow what an interesting thread! Alot of people have asked me this and I always say I wouldn't do it for money, purely because I'm not good enough. They look at me blankly and I have to explain that if it were an actual pole dancer, I am just not up to professional scratch! Not flexible/strong enough to be competitive in the industry. And if it was a strip/exotic/sexy sort of job - again, I can be fairly sexy when I want to be, but I don't think I'd be good enough at that. So there'd be no real money, and no point. I have no problem with being naked in front of strangers, and I have no problem with women using their sexuality to gain favours/cash from men (let's face it we've all done it to some degree), but if cash was a serious issue I think there'd be better ways to make money than strip/pole/whatever, at least for me. But if I were in a small town where nobody had heard of Jenyne and Felix, and I was guaranteed a solid chunk of cash every evening.... maybe that'd be different!
Hazelnut · 9/15/2012
also - I agree with twdivine here - If I had no other option, I would totally do it, because earning your own cash is always better than either living off the dole or being destitute! at the end of the day there's self respect in the fact you're earning your money and are being responsible for those who depend on you :)
ShonaLancs · 9/15/2012
Thats exactly the reason I would consider it and probably even try it Hazelnut. I dont think I could live off the dole. Id at least have to try it if I couldnt earn money doing something easier. I dont think it would be an easy or fun job for me though. Loving all the responses :) Also wondering if the employment law is different in the UK and if you would get a basic minimum wage working in clubs here rather than having to hussle for some money?
RobynPoleDancer · 9/15/2012
No Shona. Working in a club you are "self-employed", the club are not responsible for paying your wages, or sorting your tax or national insurance. You pay the club your house fee to work there (for "hire" of their facilities). I say this a lot. You. don't. get. paid. to. pole. dance. It's a sales and acting job. I learned on my first night that doing pole like you love doing is a waste of time and effort. You've got to work in heels for 6-8 hours, and be fresh for each and every guy. They don't want a hot sweaty mess. It becomes a game to the guys, for how they are NOT going to give you money. And the ONLY way you earn ANY money is by convincing guys to open their wallets. The most I ever made in one night was £250. The worst night I came home out of pocket once I'd paid my house fee and taxi home. Averaged about £100-150. for 8 hours, in heels, on a weekend, on a "night shift", and having guy after guy come up with an excuse as to why they dont want to give you money. And then you've got the maintenance; hair, nails, tanning, hair removal, makeup etc. That's like 3 hours work before you even get there. I'll be honest. I didn't experience much cattiness, I kept myself to myself. I think drama only comes when you attract it. If you're good at sales, and are cool with taking your kit off, then why not. But you're not gonna be a millionaire.
OzarkSiren · 9/15/2012
I am an RN so I can always fall back on that. But if I needed to feed my kids and didn't have my RN license and was younger? you betcha. @twdevine I raised 3 children alone. They are all in college now. Still paying their way. Wouldn't change a thing. : )
chemgoddess1 · 9/15/2012
Robyn....you have stated pretty much what every girl I know that dances has stated. You are NOT going to make money on the pole. At least that is the way it is here in Cleveland. You make money on lap dances and so many girls do stuff on the side. It takes a lot to not get down on yourself because sos and so makes more money just because she has bigger boobs or a nicer butt.
opielee · 9/15/2012
@desiree lust,oh man you hit it right on the head,I've worked in the clubs 12yrs ago,I left n hadn't looked back since,I pole for exercise n fun n not for money so I've come to terms w my past n pole but yeah if I were to do it again I'd do it only if I didn't have to hustle offstage for money n I could earn all of that cash strictly onstage n not had to pay any of that to the bosses or deal w grubby customers n yep keep my clothes on
echo234 · 9/15/2012
I would but it would have to be a bikini situation, dont' have a lot to offer in the way of body really..... then again a natural body is becoming more and more appealling. Probably wouldn't like dealing with the crap but it would be fun for a minute.
CapFeb · 9/16/2012
I don't know why people are saying you're never going to make money on the pole. So much of it is the club's factor. I've made $70 on ONE stage and average about $60 a night JUST from stages. Granted, I don't make more than $120 ever on dayshift (I mostly work days, though). A majority of your money is talking to guys. You also DON'T have to be a hustler to make money. I would make a hell of a lot more if I DID hustle, but I refuse to. I also refuse to booty pop. Sure, these things lose me money, but if I'm going to do a job I absolutely hate, I should atleast be happy and comfortable with myself in what I'm doing. Everything has the potential to lose you money in that job. Do you have kids? Is it obvious you have kids (through tattoos, jewelery, etc)? Are you married? Do you have any tattoos? Are you a blond? So many random factors that will either make it or break it depending on the customer. I've been told I'm an amazing dancer (even though I'm just not seeing it) but there are some clubs that I've worked in where I've legitimately never made more than $10 on stage in a shift. Most clubs are like that. That whole industry is about luck, and statistics. But as a general rule, unless you're turning tricks it's pretty hard for me to make more than $700 a week working 2 doubles and 3 regular shifts.
MadisonsWorld · 9/16/2012
Agree with cabfeb...it is a hit or miss..u can ask a guy if they want a dance Nd they say no but someone can come right behind you and ask and he says yes...guys have preference most of the time...I was not much of a hustler when I worked in west palm and averaged $400-$500 a weeknight...but the weekends made more...but it is a wealthier area..and there was an average of anywhere from 30-40 girls working a night..I did make money on stage but most was privete dancing.....but when I worked locally I did hustle a little more and averaged $200-$300 during the week,and yes there were night I only cleared $100 and sometimes less...but on weekends made more..but I worked a smaller club with less girls around 15-20 and we didn't serve liquor and there was no contact at all...west palm there was liquor and alitttle contact...but this was 14 yrs ago and things have changed A LOT...and you DON'T have to be at a competitor level at dance..those guys have no idea who those women are..if that's want they wanted they would go to competitions...I did very little tricks, and made good money..

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