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Stripped

Tales of the naked city, from a Las Vegas dancer.


December 23, 2008 · 5:59 AM

Recession byproduct: Strippers aren’t picking up poop with dollar bills

By Justice

Of course the recession has hit strippers hard. It hit us really hard, harder than our loser boyfriends hit us. With a drop in discretionary income for the average male and the widespread panic about the recession, there are fewer men and fewer dollars congregating at strip clubs. That isn’t really news. Everyone knows that entertainment is the first thing to get cut from the family budget. I hadn’t been especially worried. I had figured there would be some reduction in earnings, but I felt safer than people in other industries. We don’t really get fired or laid off. We go away when there is no work. Every day there were customers willing to chip in at least a bit. “It’s nice to sit with a beautiful woman and forget your problems,” I’ve heard several customers say. It’s an important part of anyone’s budget if you ask me. Things have changed though.

When things were good, I was picking up my dog’s poop with dollar bills when I was out of napkins and doggy poop bags. A little-known fact is that dollars serve a variety of purposes besides just having monetary value. I’m a responsible pet owner for eliminating his trail but admittedly not necessarily responsible with money when I carelessly picked up those soft serve truffles. How could I have seen such hard times coming though? Certainly, I’ve saved enough to keep me afloat for a while, but I am now spending more than I’m earning. Just how hard are the times? Well just last week I worked a shift where I made a profit of two dollars. Things will change, though. They always do. It’s just around the corner. If I don’t believe that, I need to change industries.

4 Comments So Far

Things always change but not always to the better. I am convinced it will get worse before the adult club industry will see an upswing. The days of the seemingly endless stream of money are temporarily suspended. First the dancers will starve, soon the clubs will too. Ironically a club in Vegas can make right now maybe even more money than 2 month ago. Girls that danced 2-3 times a week have to go now almost daily to make rent. This means the club will collect twice the house fees for now. Sooner or later some clubs likely will fade away. The market cannot support all current dancers and clubs, so the sideliners will get the hit first.
I do not want to make a prediction on when we will see an upswing. Even if the overall economy improves the adult industry will be trailing for a few months as the customers need to catch up with bills before the play money becomes available again.
I once used the term "discretionary income" with a dancer and I got blank looks. I assume the word "savings" may not be something most dancers think about either -- not until now at least. It will be a rude awakening for many in the next 2-3 month. Looking at your rate of return any supermarket job potentially pays better than dancing at the moment.

This might be a good time to go to a club and adopt a stripper"

Posted by: zGerman on 12/23/08 at 1:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The darkest days of the economic implosion are yet to come. Who knows how bad it'll get. Visiting clubs will decline for the have-nots. And many more are becoming have-nots! But for the rich? Catering to them may be a path back to the gravy train...perhaps...

Posted by: aardvark on 12/23/08 at 9:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Corporate sameness almost killed rock & roll, and it is doing the same with the strip clubs. Once upon a time, strippers actually got paid--usually the same as waitresses, half of the minimum wage. The club owners can't expect the talent to pay to play much longer.

Posted by: rrbill on 12/27/08 at 7:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Justice I love you girl! You took the words right out of my mouth! I am so glad you are shedding light on these hard economic times. It makes me feel better that we are all in this together, as dancers. Please keep writing the truth and know that you are a voice for us all! Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: strippersoldier on 12/31/08 at 8:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

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