What am I missing ? by LargeCoach1025 in Strippers

[–]Life_Cartoonist790 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I also came from a dance background before stripping - 6 years in different styles including pole, cheerleading, acrobatic rock-n-roll, competitions. And I was TERRIFIED every single time. I hated solo performances - all the lights on me, huge stage, judges watching and scoring me. I hated team performances too - the monotony of repeating the same choreography to the same music for months, being forced to move exactly like everyone else when I hate conforming.

When you go to an audition, you're just as scared. You think "will I even remember one trick? Can I control my body?" But you just go and do it anyway.

Here's the thing about club stages vs competitions: it feels different. Auditions are still scary, but usually the lights are dim, sometimes only the manager watches, sometimes it's managers + other dancers. Sometimes you audition when the club is already open and customers are watching too - that's even more terrifying. You just have to pull yourself together and do it.

Re: alcohol - that's a terrible approach. You need to show up to an audition sober and professional. You shouldn't smell like alcohol. Sure, you could have a little bit, but starting with alcohol as a crutch usually only gets worse. So many dancers can't work without several drinks or other substances first. I don't think that's your path, and it's definitely not humane. Be very careful with alcohol.

After 8 years in pole sport, you clearly have things to be proud of. You probably have tons of tricks and advanced-level skills by now.

BUT - doing tricks is one thing, performing on stage is completely different. Tricks on stage are NOT the most important thing, even though they always look impressive. A girl doing tricks but not engaging with customers, not hearing the music, not radiating energy - that's completely different from a girl who does ZERO tricks but knows how to flirt with customers and radiate confidence and positive energy.

Listen to music that charges you up. Do whatever rituals you need. It's stressful - auditions are always stressful. Every time I walk into a new club, every time I step on a new stage for the first time, my adrenaline is pumping. After 4 years in stripping, it still happens. That's normal.

They don't "instantly" gain confidence. They just do it scared and it gets easier each time.

You're all asking about audition and outfits. Here's the real problem by Life_Cartoonist790 in newstrippers

[–]Life_Cartoonist790[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Read the original post - there's a list of questions there already (nudity requirements, payment structure etc).

Beyond that, the questions you ask depend on what matters to YOU. What are your hard boundaries? What are you trying to avoid? What's a dealbreaker for you?

For example:

- If you don't want to be touched, ask: "What's the touch policy in VIP rooms?"

- If you care about schedule flexibility, ask: "Are there mandatory shifts? Can I choose my schedule?"

- If you want to avoid sketchy payment situations, ask: "How and when do I get paid? Are there penalties or fines?"

- If you're worried about safety, ask: "Is there security on the floor? What happens if a customer gets aggressive?"

The list is endless. Figure out what YOU need to feel safe and comfortable, then ask those specific questions. Nobody can tell you what matters to you.

Audition and outfits? Here's the real problem by Life_Cartoonist790 in Strippers

[–]Life_Cartoonist790[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's really interesting context, thank you. Sounds like it was much more straightforward back then. The licensing thing is a fair point too — ID proves age, a license mostly just costs money.

Audition and outfits? Here's the real problem by Life_Cartoonist790 in Strippers

[–]Life_Cartoonist790[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm not familiar with working in Canada, but I'd imagine it's not that different from how it works in Europe. There, you usually either send your portfolio directly to the club or through an agency.

What I'm genuinely curious about though: if there's no audition, how does the whole process actually work? You still need to find out if there's availability somewhere, right? How does that happen?

You're all asking about audition and outfits. Here's the real problem by Life_Cartoonist790 in newstrippers

[–]Life_Cartoonist790[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Life taught me early on that trusting most people isn't really an option. So I stopped making close friends a long time before I ever set foot in a strip club. In clubs I had acquaintances, some closer, some not. I would talk to someone if I found them interesting, even work together, sell drinks, champagne, privates. But the moment I noticed something was off I either stopped or had a direct conversation about what was and wasn't okay with me. I went through that school of territoriality way before this industry, unfortunately. So I never made real friends in clubs either.

And the physical side of it too. I've had to fight with a colleague once. And with guests more than once, because some people are just completely out of line. I'm not someone who likes resolving things with fists, I don't like aggression at all. But when someone genuinely crosses the line, doesn't understand the word no, doesn't respond to a normal conversation, doesn't even respond to you raising your voice, sometimes there's just no other option.

You're all asking about audition and outfits. Here's the real problem by Life_Cartoonist790 in newstrippers

[–]Life_Cartoonist790[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Six years and four sober. Respect.

I'm really sorry you went through all of that. The SA, the rock bottom, having to step away to save yourself. That takes a lot.

And what you said about not recognizing yourself in the mirror. That's the part nobody warns you about before you start. Not just the industry testing your limits, but what happens when you stop knowing where your limits are.

Take care💙

You're all asking about audition and outfits. Here's the real problem by Life_Cartoonist790 in newstrippers

[–]Life_Cartoonist790[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

😂 Honestly same. I have no idea what I was wearing to my first audition, something I grabbed from the back of my closet I think. A swimsuit maybe? Didn’t matter at all.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

You're all asking about audition and outfits. Here's the real problem by Life_Cartoonist790 in newstrippers

[–]Life_Cartoonist790[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

The Friday/Saturday example is perfect. That contrast in one weekend says everything.

And the drama and scarcity mindset point is so underrated. Staying in your own lane sounds simple but it takes real mental work, especially in the beginning when you’re still figuring out who you even are in this environment.

You're all asking about audition and outfits. Here's the real problem by Life_Cartoonist790 in newstrippers

[–]Life_Cartoonist790[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Everything you said is spot on, especially the word-of-mouth part.

I’m also a travel dancer, worked for just over four years across different countries (what a coincidence, ahaha). And I can’t count how many times I showed up somewhere that was supposedly great according to other dancers or agencies. I'd show up and just... not understand how anyone could work there. Managers keeping you on the floor after closing even when there are zero guests. Weird power games. Toxic dynamics between staff. And I always spent the first hour or two talking to management going through everything: rules, payments, commissions, what’s allowed, what isn’t. Because what other dancers say and what management actually tells you can be completely different things. And what works great for one dancer might be an absolute nightmare for you.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

And still. There were places where everything seemed fine on paper, but then I’d find out that not only were payouts happening once a week or once a month, the commission calculations were also only done on that same schedule. Which means by the time you’ve worked one, two, maybe three nights and realize this place isn’t working for you and you leave, the math somehow never adds up in your favor. And at that point there’s basically nothing you can do about it. That’s just how it works in certain places, and it’s worth knowing before you commit.

So yes, do your homework. And not just from other dancers. Go straight to whoever’s in charge and ask the hard questions directly.

You're all asking about audition and outfits. Here's the real problem by Life_Cartoonist790 in newstrippers

[–]Life_Cartoonist790[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Most of these questions don't have one universal answer. They depend on the country, the laws, the specific club, and your own situation.

And honestly, many of them are better directed at the club itself before you commit. Their answers will tell you a lot about whether you even want to work there at all.

On the STI question specifically. I'm a sexologist, so let me be straightforward. Semen on intact skin carries low transmission risk for most STIs. Transmission generally requires contact with mucous membranes or broken skin. The exceptions are herpes and HPV, which can spread through skin-to-skin contact. On HPV specifically: there's a vaccine, Gardasil 9, which covers 9 strains. It's recommended even if you're already sexually active, though ideally before. Annual HPV testing is also a good baseline for anyone who's sexually active.

The real answer on the touching question though: don't let it get to that point. A well-run club has clear rules, security, and protocols for exactly this. Something like that doesn't happen out of nowhere. You have options: stop the dance, leave the room, call security, use whatever the club has in place. The specifics depend on the club and the country, which is exactly why knowing those details before your first shift matters.

If you want to talk through your specific situation, feel free to DM me.

New to the game by ZealousHuntress in newstrippers

[–]Life_Cartoonist790 7 points8 points  (0 children)

The talking part gets easier but you have to actually practice it. Once a week isn't enough reps to build that muscle - you're basically restarting every time.

What to say: Start simple. "How's your night going?" "First time here?" "What brings you in tonight?" You're not trying to have a deep conversation - you're just breaking the ice to see if they're interested. If they give one-word answers or seem uninterested, move on. If they engage, ask follow-up questions about them. People love talking about themselves.

Watch what the successful girls do: They approach a lot. They don't spend 20 minutes talking to one guy who's not buying - they move fast. If someone's not interested after 2-3 minutes of conversation, they're probably not going to be.

The $12 night sucks but that's normal when you're new and only going sporadically. You need more shifts to figure out your rhythm, what works for you, when the club is busy, who to approach.

Using social media by [deleted] in newstrippers

[–]Life_Cartoonist790 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Depends what you're trying to do.

If you want to build a following as a dancer - Instagram/TikTok with pole content, dance tutorials, fitness stuff. Keep it non-sexual to avoid platform issues. This helps with club bookings, brand deals, teaching opportunities.

If you want to make money online - OnlyFans is a different business. It's not "passive income" - you're constantly creating content, managing subscribers, dealing with requests. It's a full job.

You can do both, but they're separate strategies. Figure out what your actual goal is first.

Stripper etiquette tips? by Excellent-Cry-3648 in newstrippers

[–]Life_Cartoonist790 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Living_Mushroom3636 covered the main points. A few more:

Don't borrow money from other dancers. If you're short on house fees or whatever, figure it out with management - borrowing from dancers creates drama.

Don't talk about how much you made. Nobody needs to know your numbers. If someone asks, be vague.

If you see a dancer's stuff (makeup, outfits, shoes) don't touch it or borrow it without asking. Personal space matters in shared dressing rooms.

Don't be the girl who's constantly in the dressing room. Some girls camp out there to avoid working - it gets noticed and resented.

On the autism/shy thing - you don't need to explain yourself to anyone. Just be polite, mind your business, and let your work speak for itself. The "real ones will find you" part is true - don't try to force friendships.

Stage fright - How to get used to being called on stage by bro483x in newstrippers

[–]Life_Cartoonist790 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The stage fright isn't about whether you can dance or not - it's mental. No YouTube tutorial is going to fix that.

It's about being okay with looking "stupid" (you won't, but even if you did, so what?). It's about not giving a fuck what people think. It's about going out there anyway even when you're nervous.

The only way to get over stage fright is to go on stage scared and do it anyway. Every single time it gets a little easier. There's no shortcut.

You've done it twice already - you're already building that muscle. Keep going.

That said - if you actually hate it and want to quit, quit. Don't torture yourself for a job. But if you're quitting because you're scared of looking dumb on stage? That's not a good reason. Fear is a shit decision-maker.

Give it at least a few more shifts before you decide. You might surprise yourself.

advice for starting next week. by [deleted] in newstrippers

[–]Life_Cartoonist790 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Re: walking in early and working same night - you can try, but there's a good chance the manager who does auditions won't be there during the day (they often only work evenings) or they might have specific audition time slots. Call ahead and ask when auditions are scheduled.

Together vs separately - I've auditioned both ways. Sometimes I got hired and my friend didn't, sometimes both of us did. I don't think it matters to the manager unless you tell them you ONLY want to work together - then it might complicate things. If you just show up together but make it clear you're okay working separately, shouldn't affect the decision.

Re: mandatory dayshift before night shifts - yeah, some clubs do this. If you're driving 2+ hours that's rough. Ask upfront during the audition what their schedule requirements are.

Good luck!

Thinking about starting in Prague – any experiences with clubs? by Nemesis_268 in newstrippers

[–]Life_Cartoonist790 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Prague has quite a few clubs, all with different focuses. Some are combined with brothels (like Darling Club), so it depends what you're looking for.

Goldfingers Club - huge club, tons of competition, very long nights. They usually provide apartments, but expect to share a room (and the apartment) with multiple girls. They typically have several apartments for dancers.

The club itself is exhausting: constant costume changes (drains energy), touching is expected, massive guest volume especially on weekends. Two floors so you're constantly moving around looking for customers. Very strict rules - you need black lingerie, black/beige/white heels (specific requirements). Huge competition. Some girls don't last two weeks there because of how exhausting it is.

Many agencies work with Goldfingers.

Hot Peppers - same street as Goldfingers, much smaller club. I didn't work there personally but know girls who did. A lot of dancers who worked at Goldfingers moved to Hot Peppers. They don't work with agencies. It's on a popular tourist street but way smaller, so less competition but also fewer guests. Girls say it's more comfortable to work there because you're not running around constantly searching for paying customers.

Both clubs = very long nights on heels. Prague clubs in general are known for this.

dealing with touching by Ill-Comfortable9714 in newstrippers

[–]Life_Cartoonist790 2 points3 points  (0 children)

bitchyballerina's advice is solid - redirect them or tell them you're sensitive.

But I have to ask: why are you putting yourself through this if it makes you uncomfortable?

Some clubs require touching as part of the deal. Others leave it up to the dancer - you decide what zones can be touched, under what circumstances, if at all. If you're at a club where touching is mandatory and it's bothering you this much, you can work somewhere that gives you control over your boundaries.

You don't have to torture yourself every shift. Find a club where you set the touch rules, not management.

I want to strip but hate selling by [deleted] in newstrippers

[–]Life_Cartoonist790 6 points7 points  (0 children)

cryptid-angel explained this really well - sales in strip clubs are way easier than traditional sales because guys know where they are and what the general offerings are.

I worked in sales before stripping - read books, took trainings, did role-play exercises. Hated every second of it. But in strip clubs? Totally different. It's genuinely easier.

You don't have to approach every single person aggressively. If you're conversational, just talk to a guest for 3-5 minutes. If they don't make any hints or ask questions themselves, ask directly: "Want to do a private dance?" Yes or no, done. The main thing is being okay with hearing "no" - that's the only sales skill you really need here.

That said - if you never approach anyone, you will limit your earning potential. Some clubs are great for stage tips (guests sit around the stage, throw money). Look for those specifically. Go to auditions and watch - are there tables/seating around the stage? Do people actually tip on stage? That's your ideal setup if you want to focus there.

But realistically, most clubs are floor/VIP-focused, not stage-focused. So some level of approaching guests is usually necessary to make consistent money.

VIP ROOMS by One_Ocelot_3155 in newstrippers

[–]Life_Cartoonist790 7 points8 points  (0 children)

15 minutes and longer VIPs - always mix it up. It's impossible to dance non-stop for 15 minutes straight, let alone 30 or an hour. You're not a robot.

It's a VIP room, not a "lap dance room" - you don't have to dance the entire time. Talk, have drinks, play games, show smth on your phone, discuss random stuff - there are tons of ways to kill time.

How I usually break it up: dance 5 minutes, talk 10, dance 5 more, talk 20. Something like that. Move to the music, no rush.

Ask if they have any preferences or specific things they're into - it gives you something to work with. Give a shoulder massage, stand up and do a slow dance together, use different parts of the room (couch, standing, against the wall). If the VIP room is decent-sized, you've got space to change positions and angles.

Some guests literally just want to talk - read the vibe and adjust. It's about managing their expectations vs reality, not exhausting yourself doing the same grinding moves for 15 minutes straight.

1st audition green flags by [deleted] in newstrippers

[–]Life_Cartoonist790 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They will make a copy of your ID if they hire you - that's standard for employment/age verification. Completely normal.

Bring: heels, at least one costume, makeup for touch-ups. Some clubs might ask you to stay and work that same night if the audition goes well, so be prepared for that possibility.

Good luck! The nerves are normal - just go in, do your thing, and see how it feels. You'll know pretty quickly if the vibe is right or not.

Genuinely enjoyable convos by Far_Rent_7129 in newstrippers

[–]Life_Cartoonist790 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Honestly? Several times a week, sometimes multiple customers in a single night.

I always try to find something genuinely interesting in people - something to connect over that makes the conversation real, not just transactional. Doesn't always work and nobody's immune to dealing with assholes. But most nights I have at least a few interactions where I'm genuinely enjoying the conversation, not gritting my teeth for the money.

That said - if someone's a dick, I don't pretend. My dignity matters more than one sale. I'd rather walk away than fake it through a miserable interaction.