I work in MH and I am here until 20:00, I live alone with my dog, I used to be a stripper, I am a lesbian and I am REALLY bored. AMA.

[PeatrixBotter]

Was trying to think of anything semi-interesting about myself there 😂

What happens at 8

You sound like fun!
What kind of dog do you have?

What kind of doggy do you have? 🐶

Cross post @AmandaHoldensLips ! 😄

Also - did you used to throw your clothes/costume bits off the stage and if so, did you ever have any trouble getting them back?

when and where were you a stripper?

How did you get into being a stripper?

Had you planned it or did it just happen?

At 8 I am going to take the dog for a quick walk and then go to the gym. Might go to the pub after that.

Do I? Thank you!

I have an American Akita. He was a rescue of sorts, I said I'd look after him while an acquaintance was on holiday and they never came back!

Haha not as a routine but I did dance in some topless clubs and we'd throw our bra/bikini off the stage then. Never had trouble getting them back, although customers would sometimes ask to buy them. I'd be happy to usually, unless it was part of an outfit and I didn't have another I was happy with that night.

All over the UK, also worked abroad a few times (cyprus mainly).

I used to work in a bar part time for some extra money while studying and working part time. After the bar closed, we'd go for a drink and sometimes the strip club was the only place that'd be open at that time. I got talking to some of the dancers and decided to give it a go.
It's addictive. I never stopped and I still miss it a lot, although I do appreciate the negatives about it, and the misogyny embedded in the fact that clubs for stripping even exist.

Did you get well paid and/or did you make more in wages or in tips?
Did you have to share your tips or could you keep them all?
Were you well looked-after by the staff of the pubs/clubs you performed in?

Just realised that didn't make sense! Sorry. I meant, I intended to do it for a bit just for a bit of fun, and ended up doing it for almost 15 years.

Yes-definitely more in 'wages' (paid for dances) than tips although we did make some tips. We could keep them although if the managers/owners SAW you getting tipped, they'd sometimes make you pay the same percentage from the tips as you would from the dance.

I am passing the time by having a rather random conversation with my ex who is drunk. We get on okay, even though our relationship was awful. I still have a bit of paperwork to do for work but I think my brain struggles to associate Friday nights and paperwork. They used to be for parading around in 8 inch heels. Maybe I still have that mindset 🤔(I will complete the work).

Were you nervous or scared at first?

while it’s not something i think I could do or be brave enough to do I do admire the confidence people have to be able to do things like this

I was, but I have always been very good at 'winging' things. I've done it in many jobs and situations-I've gone into jobs pretending I'd done them before (albeit always having a good sense of knowing that I'd be good at it) so when I began stripping I pretended I had done it before. I probably seemed a little awkward, and there were a few moments but mostly I was accepted.

Paperwork done now. Cannot wait to get off to the gym and have the evening to myself-what's left of it.

I love/hate this shift. Love it because it is quiet and I can get things done that aren't work related. Not a lot of work comes in on a Friday. Hate it because it eats into my weekend and as a 'thornback' (apparently) I find my weekends precious for going out/seeing people/getting away and this shift makes that trickier. I have applied to have it swapped but they're taking their time.

Sorry, didn't answer your last question.
Yes, the staff, security and management were never anything short of amazing at looking after the dancers. They took it very seriously. I can only remember one man who was on the till who was a weirdo and a creep, and would be useless if anything ever went wrong, but the other staff more than made up for him. Mostly we all had a great time together and everyone looked after each other.

What % did the management expect from your dances?
How much did the punters pay for a private dance?
(I'm assuming you were paying the club to work there, rather than being paid BY the club - is that right?)
How long ago did you stop, and why?

Money depended on the club. If it was a percentage club, it was usually anything from 25 to 50%-50% I only ever saw abroad. Usually around 30%.

Other clubs you'd pay a flat fee of between £20 and £60 house fee depending on the club and the night (a Saturday would be most expensive).

Dances were infinite. £10 in some clubs for topless, usually £20 for nudes. Vip (for 15 minutes in a more private room) in a northern town would be about £50, more down south, sometimes they'd be in a more private room than others. Sometimes they'd be more expensive but include champagne. It varied, and depended on the individual club and the area.

About 3 years ago. I was getting too old to enjoy the party life so much although I still made money. And a partner didn't like it. I did dip my toe back in now and again until very recently however.