The online diary of a gay courtesan.

I want to take a moment to make another distinction between entertainers and strippers. I know that dancers often have the reputation for using people. On the one hand I would say, “Yes, there are dancers who hustle a hard game.” However, it takes two to tango, so it could also be said that you get what you pay for.

My point is this: Whereas a gold diggin’ strippa will pump you for all you’re worth, leave you with nothing, and probably laugh at you, an entertainer doesn’t need or want to do this. An entertainer is gracious about accepting gifts, knowing that it feels good both to give and receive. I enjoy getting gifts, tips, and compliments, and I also know that people enjoy giving them. I don’t feed expectations, and I don’t lead people on. In fact, there are specific patrons I avoid, because I know they are too invested emotionally, and I don’t want to hurt them.

I don’t want this post to come across as condescending, or for it to sound superior. “Aw, how sweet… you wanna give me a gift. Well, I’ll take it, since you’re pathetic, and I’m wonderful.” That is exactly not how I intend this post to feel. What I want to clarify is the stereotype that all dancers are out for nothing but cash. Yes, we have a job to do, and yes we have bills to pay. Yes, we need to get tipped. Yes, we would probably not be as accessible if it weren’t for the job.

However, it is not true that all dancers are out to sap you like a maple tree. An exotic dancer who treats his career as an art knows there is no need for this. He is content knowing there is enough syrup in the forest to be content with a drop, rather than engorging himself on a geiser. Whereas a stripper is an aphid, meticulously sucking a plant dry, an entertainer is more like a butterfly, gently kissing the flower before moving on.