Stripping

Questions What do you think about dress codes that limit clothing choices at work or at school? Where do they come from? Why do the exist? What do you think about dress codes that limit clothing choices at work or at school? Where do they come from? Why do the exist? What about nudity? Why are there laws against taking off one’s clothes in public? What about nudity? Why are there laws against taking off one’s clothes in public?

Parade Stripping Mardi Gras, New Orleans Mardi Gras, New Orleans Beads thrown from floats to crowd Beads thrown from floats to crowd Women voluntarily expose breasts for beads Women voluntarily expose breasts for beads

Mardi Gras Study Interviewed 54 women who exposed their breasts for beads Interviewed 54 women who exposed their breasts for beads Mostly college-age women Mostly college-age women Mostly after drinking some alcohol Mostly after drinking some alcohol Most are supported by friends Most are supported by friends Most are not seeking erotic pleasure Most are not seeking erotic pleasure

Question What is it about the Mardi Gras environment that makes women more likely to voluntarily expose their breasts? What is it about the Mardi Gras environment that makes women more likely to voluntarily expose their breasts?

The Profession of Stripping Hustle Clubs, Show Clubs, Social Clubs, Private Parties Hustle Clubs, Show Clubs, Social Clubs, Private Parties Table/lap dances, couch dance, champagne rooms Table/lap dances, couch dance, champagne rooms

“If for a moment you can look at him as if he’s the only man in the whole room, you can make him think maybe, just maybe, you are really attracted to him. You want him to feel that way.” “If for a moment you can look at him as if he’s the only man in the whole room, you can make him think maybe, just maybe, you are really attracted to him. You want him to feel that way.”

“Every day you have to plot and scheme. You have to find that new way to make these men think you have a real interest in them. When they ask you on a date, you say “first I have to get to know you better.” So you get them to buy a table dance so they can start to get to know you better. You’ve got to be able to string it along.” “Every day you have to plot and scheme. You have to find that new way to make these men think you have a real interest in them. When they ask you on a date, you say “first I have to get to know you better.” So you get them to buy a table dance so they can start to get to know you better. You’ve got to be able to string it along.”

Creating an Image He wants to believe she is available, and that he could be with here He wants to believe she is available, and that he could be with here He wants to believe she wants him He wants to believe she wants him He does not want to believe she is married or that stripping is just a job to her He does not want to believe she is married or that stripping is just a job to her His decision to buy dances depends on the affirmation of these beliefs His decision to buy dances depends on the affirmation of these beliefs

Impression Management Intentional manipulation of one’s identity for some purpose Intentional manipulation of one’s identity for some purpose Dress, accessories, facial expression, selected pieces of information, music selection Dress, accessories, facial expression, selected pieces of information, music selection To get him to buy more dances To get him to buy more dances Strippers present themselves in ways that most match customer beliefs and expectations Strippers present themselves in ways that most match customer beliefs and expectations Conceal elements of their lives that contradict the “slut” or “party girl” image that customers want Conceal elements of their lives that contradict the “slut” or “party girl” image that customers want

Emotional Work (aka, Counterfeit Intimacy) Creating the impression that you care about the customer Creating the impression that you care about the customer Use verbal and nonverbal cues Use verbal and nonverbal cues Eye contact, smiles must be convincing, engaging, must be “on” Eye contact, smiles must be convincing, engaging, must be “on” The “work” involves ignoring your real feelings to create a feeling in others The “work” involves ignoring your real feelings to create a feeling in others

Exploitation or Empowerment? Are strippers victims of a sexist, patriarchal society? Are strippers victims of a sexist, patriarchal society? How does stripping compare to working at Hooters? How is it the same? How is it different? How does stripping compare to working at Hooters? How is it the same? How is it different?