Interview with an Exotic Dancer

Susan: Let me introduce Victoria, an exotic dancer....(to Victoria) Hi Victoria!

Victoria: Hi, Susan!

Susan: Can you tell me a bit about yourself, and your background in dancing?

Victoria: Well, I am twenty-six years old, have been dancing for four and a half years in New Jersey, just bikini dancing, no nude or topless until last month when I moved to South Dakota, where I now dance topless. Have you ever been to a go-go, or club?

Susan: Only once; I was with a group, and they all decided to go.We went to a bikini club, and I thought that the routines were very erotic. I was very impressed with the dancer's abilities, they were quite skilled.

Victoria: OK, well anything you want to know? Any questions about the life? About me? Not sure what else to say about my dancing except that it is a job. Things happen, both good and bad.

Susan: Ok...well, is there anything you wish that all guys knew about your work?

Victoria: I want to stress that we are not whores, and that we are just doing a job like anyone else. We would like to be treated with the same respect men give their mothers or sisters. We are performing artists.

Susan: As for the actual dance routines, some are very sexual in appearance. I know that there are guys who see girls touch themselves on stage, and they think the girls are getting hot.

Victoria: Definitely not. Its just a job, we are are performing, not masturbating. It is just a show, we don't get aroused.

Susan: I understand that some people think that exotic dancers are usually lesbians. Are they?

Victoria: No! We are not all les or bi, I would say 90% of the girls are straight. My two pet peeves are men who lack respect for us, and those that think dancers are mostly bi or lesbians.

Susan: Here are some nuts and bolts questions....how many hours do you dance/work a night?

Victoria: Well my shift is usually 6 pm until 1:30 am. I dance for 30 minutes then have a 30 minute rest period.

Susan: What do you do at work while you are not dancing?

Victoria: I either get dressed and just hang out, or I have a drink with a customer.

Susan: Are you required to socialize with the customers?

Victoria: No, not at all! If we want we can stay in the dressing room or at the bar and just do whatever we want to do.

Susan: Do you get a cut of the drinks the customer buys while you chat with him?

Victoria: No, we do not.

Susan: So you chat with customers purely for diversion?

Victoria: Yes, for that and for free drinks!

Susan: Do dancers usually meet boyfriends by dancing?

Victoria: Sometimes it happens, but not often though. We do go out with some of the guys, partying, but it is always in groups and with people we know. Mostly I see the barmaids going out with customers.

Susan: How do dancers start in the field? How do they find a first job?

Victoria: Well, many of the girls learned about dancing from friends that were dancers. All any girl has to do to get a job is go to a club and audition.

Susan: How do girls learn the routines?

Victoria: Well they either have it, or they don't. It is basically natural talent. I, for one, bust my ass on stage! I do mostly pole work and hi-energy routines. There are other girls who are happy to just bounce and scamper and walk around the stage. The sad thing is most girls cannot dance.

Susan: Yes; I noticed that it can be quite a skill;  Well, I don't have any more questions for now;  thank you for chatting. Is there anything you would like to conclude with?

Victoria: Yes, Susan. Tell your readers to remember that exotic dancers are just doing a job, and working hard for their money. It is a highly skilled profession, that most women cannot do. We are not prostitutes, most of us are straight, and we are performers in show business, very much like actresses. We would appreciate being given the respect that other talented performers receive.

Susan: Thank you Victoria, I know you have educated  me today.  Thanks again for sharing!

Victoria: My pleasure, Susan.