Jezebel 
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New York, 6:07 PM
Wed Dec 16
73 posts in the last 24 hours
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12/08/09
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I mean, if you're into the status quo, in which women in and out of the strip club are objects for male consumption, and in which female sexuality is synonymous with performance for the male gaze, go right ahead. Just don't kid yourself that they especially appreciate your patronage, or that you're something better than the men.
I have a friend from beauty school who used to dance, and she thought women were the worst. They were tight with their money, they laughed at her, and they were less likely to respect the rules of the club. Everyone who wanted to have a conversation with her, if they paid for it, she turned it on and acted like who they wanted her to be. I bet they all thought she was thrilled to do it.
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My friend made the choice to dance, but her other choices were extremely limited considering she had a young kid without a father. As soon as she had another viable choice, she got out of it. It was an exceptionally shitty, exceptionally exploitative job, both in terms of what customers expected of her and in terms of the labor arrangement. It bugs me a lot that women here are only considering it in terms of their customer experience.
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You know what's actually taboo? Men going with their female partners to a male revue, men owning their bisexuality(when they are), men saying things like "even though I'm straight, I like looking at pretty boys" or "I appreciate the art of what they do"
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I went to a male strip club a few times, and the handful of straight men who were in the audience were there specifically to try and pick up the females in the club. In fact one guy said that to me, that a friend of his told him it was the best place ever to pick up women!
Didn't see any men there who were part of a hetero couple though~~ only gay couples.
12/08/09
However, the fact that the two-drink minimum made me have to pay $15 for two bottles of water that I didn't even want, as well as the fact that, while my boyfriend's friends seemed suitably awkward about the whole think, he just stared, mouth agape, barely talking to me the whole time, made it even worse.
12/08/09
Of course, I was also rolling my ass off on ecstasy, so make of that what you will.
12/09/09
Awesome. Really.
12/10/09
12/08/09
I would love to go a strip club as part of a couple- where the girls (guys?) are lovely, lively, happy, chatty, and put on a good show. I have no desire to go to and watch people who are depressed, sad, sluggish, what have you. And definitely not to "make myself look better by comparison".
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I couldn't afford to leave him because I couldn't afford rent on my own. Also true, and very sad.
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That can't...be healthy. Perhaps she needs some Preparation H?
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Geee Fox News has a bad, stereotyped and superior view of strippers? Who'da thunk it?
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The men get big pictures of naked women and a royal experience, the women get nasty overflowing toilets, no towels, and the distinct possibility on walking in on strippers doing coke, as my friends did.
Of course, maybe that last one is a plus.
This was at a burlesque night that had booked the club, and watching the strippers versus the burlesque/go-go dancers was a fascinating experience. (Points to the Hustler girls: they WORKED that 2 floor pole, man, WOW.) It was also interesting seeing how the crowd changed from heavily women and couples - burlesque - and all men for the strippers at 10.
So is burlesque okay because it's fun and seems more female friendly? Hmmmmmm. Also, the hustler girls were pretty hot beneath all the makeup, and, up close, were obviously about 18 years old on average. I don't see going in with an eye to comparing yourself to that being good for a woman - fail, original article writer.
I think what disturbs me most about the article above is "Flexibility is key". It's not going for yourself or a fun, interesting experience... it's... sorta manipulative, somehow. Control issues, etc.
12/08/09
Whether that is because of the well known side activities that go on over there is up for debate...which is another reason that if you decide to go to a strip club with your partner, you ought to choose wisely. The experience can be vastly different depending on where you go. There are enough places that are welcoming to females/couples that the research is worth it.
But I hate the idea that watching strippers somehow replaces foreplay.
12/08/09
I'm fairly confident in cities at night, especially with how crowded the Block was, but I have to say I hope almost never to be in that area again after dark. The vibe was so much not female-kind it took me by surprise! I kept my head down and skedaddled to my car.
The club itself reminded me of a book I read, can't remember the name, about a writer/stripper who stripped in every state, and her experiences. She said that she found the more expensive the club, the more demeaning the experience; less woman friendly, indeed. Strange and sad.
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Amateur night.