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AIBU?

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AIBU to say no to a stripper for my husband’s party?

177 replies

ITanya78 · 06/08/2026 11:21

It is hubby’s 50th birthday party, his work colleagues are organising a party, which I am grateful for as I’ve just lost my Dad recently. However, one of the guys has messaged me (DH works with all men) to say would it be ok if they hired a stripper gram. I haven’t replied yet.

I was surprised, thought it was a bit of an outdated concept but I feel a lot of pressure to be the cool wife, say yes and not spoil anyone’s fun. However, I do suffer with body issues quite badly, I have a very flat chest that I was bullied about years ago. The thought of a gorgeous woman stripping off him makes me feel physically sick. I honestly don’t think I could cope with it.

So would it be ok to say no thank you or would that been seen as selfish? I don’t want everyone to think I’m a bad person.

OP posts:
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misscris · 10/08/2026 11:53

Tell his colleagues that his aged mother (and maybe even his Granny) will be there and wouldn’t appreciate the show!

Doingtheboxerbeat · 09/08/2026 18:01

DraigCymraeg · 09/08/2026 14:32

As soon as somebody gets called out, they turn round and say: 'oh but is was sarcasm' or 'can't you take a joke?'
Rubbish.

You will need to look elsewhere for whatever dopamine hit you want from my reaction, but fyi 17 posters reacted favourably to my comment, so presumably they understood it - it's just you I'm afraid 😳👀😬.

Lampzade · 09/08/2026 15:17

Just the thought of a fifty year old man possibly salivating or pretending to salivate over a scantily clad woman is just icky in my humble opinion . Sad , desperate and ridiculous

LuckyHazelFox · 09/08/2026 14:51

If ever proof were needed that some men will just never grow up.

BoredZelda · 09/08/2026 14:40

Isn’t the worry that his colleagues think he would be ok with this? I know the men in my business who would love it and those who wouldn’t.

ACynicalDad · 09/08/2026 14:36

I’m a bloke of similar age and would not want this, put it back on him, you’ve obliviously not organised a party for 30 years Steve, very dated and inappropriate these days

DraigCymraeg · 09/08/2026 14:32

Doingtheboxerbeat · 09/08/2026 13:23

I fear you may have missed the extreme sarcasm 🤭.

As soon as somebody gets called out, they turn round and say: 'oh but is was sarcasm' or 'can't you take a joke?'
Rubbish.

BlueSherbet · 09/08/2026 14:06

Jerrybalanitis · 06/08/2026 12:55

Christ, how is this still legal? Theres no consent, it is grim.

Its a really good question - the best info I could find (!) was a really flimsy defence that the agency consider the booking as "implied consent" (i.e. they argue that someone wouldn't book it, if they knew the recipient wouldn't like it).

And that the performer considers a lack of open objection from the recipient as "implied consent". You would like to think they were trained to discretely ask the person if they consented, before starting?

when I was younger, I was very introverted / unconfident and probably would not have had the strength of character to say "no" so its a really poor system they have. (but now I am older, I am quite happy top cause all manner of confrontations lol).

But its surprising the effect peer pressure and others expectations can have; with people even experiencing great discomfort before asserting themselves.

there was a male stripper convicted of sexual assault recently, when he failed to stop his act when a bride-to-be told him "no". He was jiggling her breasts and everything.

If a woman gives consent, it changes sexual assault into sexual entertainment (in the eyes of the law). However she clearly did not consent and so the strippers act was sexual assault in law.

I felt so sorry for that woman. She said she didnt want anything like that, but her sisters booked it anyway because it was what they wanted (the old story). Then the stripper ignored her lack of consent and sexually assaulted her, while her friends cheered and took videos of her distress. 1 of the sisters regretted booking it, but the other actually supported the stripper in court, saying what he did was only "normal hen night stuff". What a family!

BlueSherbet · 09/08/2026 13:52

I am glad you resolved this OP!

Its a really bad idea the friends had, especially in a work context. Just totally crass and really ugly.

But the good thing is that they did ask. And this means both that (i) they respect you and (ii) they respect your OH and were using you to sound out how he might feel about it.

No-one should feel awkward about objecting to this kind of thing. Its genuinely horrifying that its still legal to publicly surprise people with (often degrading) sexual "entertainment".

Hardly anyone likes it, its a small minority, but they thrive because they know most people lack the confidence to speak up, or are worried about the reaction they might get.

It can still happen, but apparently licensing laws are now stricter about this kind of thing and it can be more hassle than its worth for premises to allow it (in scotland anyway).

Your husband will be really grateful to you, for putting your foot down OP!

There are plenty of videos on youtube (and less salubrious sites) of this kind of thing at birthday parties etc and the men are usually completely humiliated.

They can expect to have their trouser and pans whipped down, so everything on show to friends and family - lovely, have his bottom whipped and have cream or oil poured over him. Not to mention being led around like a dog, with his own belt as a leash. Like, ugh.

Of course, dozens of people (inc randoms) can then video this on their phones and its straight onto the net for all eternity.

Just what you want your boss / clients / children etc to see.

Doingtheboxerbeat · 09/08/2026 13:23

DraigCymraeg · 09/08/2026 11:48

Sounds like a b*h - I wouldn't be so unpleasant to OP.

I fear you may have missed the extreme sarcasm 🤭.

sidneytweeney · 09/08/2026 11:53

What is wrong with men?

DraigCymraeg · 09/08/2026 11:48

Doingtheboxerbeat · 06/08/2026 11:47

You are so effortlessly cool, how do you do it, how can we all be like you 🙄?

Sounds like a b*h - I wouldn't be so unpleasant to OP.

Bikergran · 09/08/2026 10:25

Absolutely not. How vile and adolescent. Someone hired a male stripper for one of my birthday parties, and I said to him "This isn't your fault, and I'm sure you'll get paid, but if you remove one item of clothing I'm leaving."

You are not a party pooper, the person suggesting it is a pathetic slimy creep.

Oblahdeeoblahdoe · 07/08/2026 22:25

ShallWeDance · 07/08/2026 21:22

Went to a 50th birthday party many years ago and a stripper arrived as a 'gift' from the man's wife. It was grim. I still remember it.

You've just reminded me of the 50th birthday party where the woman presented her husband with a huge framed photo of herself naked!

TheMixedGirl · 07/08/2026 21:26

I actually would not care. But you have to go with how you feel

Oblahdeeoblahdoe · 07/08/2026 21:24

ITanya78 · 06/08/2026 14:36

Thanks all. It’s not a family do. I’ve replied a firm no and he replied “lol didn’t think so 😂” so god knows if he was serious. My head is all over the place to be fair so I genuinely apologise if I have started a thread over something that wasn’t meant. He’s a retired guy who’s doing the organising and he does have some outdated notions and it did sound like a serious proposition.

This is the ideal opportunity to reply, 'There we are then' 😉

ShallWeDance · 07/08/2026 21:22

Went to a 50th birthday party many years ago and a stripper arrived as a 'gift' from the man's wife. It was grim. I still remember it.

Autumngirl5 · 07/08/2026 21:19

Oh my goodness I did not realise you could still hire a stripper for a party? So grim … just say no.

dannyufcfan · 07/08/2026 21:18

Efrogwraig · 07/08/2026 21:17

Say no & make sure they understand it's a complete no. No ifs no buts no maybes.

Deffo, no buts.

Efrogwraig · 07/08/2026 21:17

Say no & make sure they understand it's a complete no. No ifs no buts no maybes.

StormGazing · 07/08/2026 21:03

eerr no 🤯

friedaklein · 07/08/2026 20:59

CupcakeFunny · 07/08/2026 20:51

It's a stripper gram, not a stripper at the entire party!

I am Amy from Gone Girl. I feel no desire to be " cool wife".

CupcakeFunny · 07/08/2026 20:51

It's a stripper gram, not a stripper at the entire party!

friedaklein · 07/08/2026 20:50

CupcakeFunny · 07/08/2026 20:49

Are you going to be there? If not then what's the problem? There's only males there. It's his 50th, let him have a little fun! He's coming home to you, so why is there a problem?

Right...

CupcakeFunny · 07/08/2026 20:49

Are you going to be there? If not then what's the problem? There's only males there. It's his 50th, let him have a little fun! He's coming home to you, so why is there a problem?

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