Adversaries?

JackKash
New York City
At a club this past weekend. I told the girl I was with that I do "research" when ever I travel to figure out where I'm going to go. She asked where and I said a website that posts reviews and that I post too. Later she introduces me to the GM and tells him I write reviews. He asks where, and I hesitantly say TUSCL. He says I know that site with a bit of distaste in his voice and walks away.

When did we become adversaries?

Is the whole club experience really one big power struggle? Our discussions and articles rail against Bouncers, DJs, Bartenders, GMs, Bathroom "trolls" and even Dancers keeping us from our want and desires. On the otherside we have the ROBs, pat downs and metal detectors, shortened songs, price gouging at the bar, VIP and ATMs. At this club in particular they put so many different holds on my credit card for my bar tab, I had to call the company to tell them it was okay when I finally paid my bill. It sometimes seems they go out of their way to dampen the experience.

"Can't we all just get along."

This weekend, I talked with the Bathroom Attendant, learned how he had finally closed on that house he was after (see how bad Vegas' housing market is when bathroom attendants can afford to purchase a home). His taxes were next and he was trying to figure out how to invest for retirement. I met the DJ who up until this point I thought was one of the most annoying I had ever heard but when chatting with him, found him to be a good funny guy who comes to work in a suit and tie. Floor guys, Bartenders, Waitresses were all attentive, quick and pleasant especially when I shared a kind word with them. The VIP gate keeper was gentle when he told me and my ATF our time was up and if we didn't want to continue, there was no rush to putting ourselves back together before we left. Most of the dancers were pleasant and wished me well when I told them I was already with someone. This hasn't been the only place I have experienced this but I wish I could say it happens all the places I go.

We depend on each other.

Maybe it's more like a bad marriage, a co-dependent relationship or a drug dealer and his junkies. We the patrons and these clubs are strange bedfellows. We seem to be constantly looking for ways to sneak around each other to get away with this, that or the other thing when we both are just really looking for the same thing, a good time, a little distraction and a nice place to hang out for awhile.

Flies and Honey.

Perhaps we can never put an end to the ROBs, price gouging and annoying, rude and inattentative staff but like us New Yorkers, their thick crust is a little thin and easy to break through with some show of appreciation and kindness. Perhaps we, their patrons, will be more willing to return, spend money and speak highly of a club if we are treated with respect and pleasantries rather than like a bag of bones with a wallet to be emptied.

I can hear you laughing. A PL can dream.

8 comments

  • jackslash
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    13 years ago
    Nobody likes to hear criticism, and strip club managers and dancers will focus on the negatives in club reviews. I'm not sure that dancers could learn much from TUSCL reviews, but strip club managers could profit from reading the reviews of their clubs. However, this assumes the managers can read.
  • Tiredtraveler
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    13 years ago
    Managing a club has to be a tough job, employees with lots of baggage and smart ass patrons who don't follow the rules. On the other hand the patrons pay your salary. I have found a friendly word with the tip many times will multiply the value of your tip. I do not mind the bathroom guys, usually, if they keep the bathroom cleaned up, they are just trying to make a little cash and if you can't afford to throw a little to them then you need to go to a lower scale club. Go to a restruant and see what service your get if you do not tip. The only one that really bugs me is manditory valet parking. I am willing to pay for attended parking but uninsured valet service is something I do not do. I park and lock my car myself.
  • minnow
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    13 years ago
    JK: What specific benefit did you see by steering conversation towards how you research clubs vs, say, what you find interesting and appealing about the dancer that you're with?
  • basketball
    •
    13 years ago
    If you were dealing with normal human beings, telling them about a site where they could see what customers think of them would be good. They could learn from their mistakes, and make improvements. But strippers are not normal human beings. First, they are females. They can/are jealous at times. They see how other girls are making more money than them. Instead of adjusting to the situation, by following in their footsteps, they react by complalining to the management, or threatening them to stop.

    There is no need to bring sites like TUSCL to the attention of the clubs employees. There is nothing to gain from it. NOTHING!
  • JackKash
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    13 years ago
    Che, I remember your post about predators. I agreed with you and still do. Minnow and BBall, I don't bring up this, our past time regularly or dwell on it. The usual conversation starts with the typical, "Of all the gin joints in all the world, why did you come into mine?". Response is ususally "Research" and "Decided this was the best place." They usually feel good hearing that and rarely ask or know the site on the rare occasion we stay on the subject but believe me, yes we do have plenty of other things we talk about. On the occassion recounted here it was the GM I was just introduced to who asked what site and that turned out to be the extent of the conversation.
    I do believe there are few of people on this site, whether contributors or lurkers, who work in the otherside of the industry. Maybe they get something out of it or don't or just laugh at us PLs. The reason I wrote the article was to lament how badly we sometimes treat each other.
  • skibum609
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    13 years ago
    It makes no sense to me that a business wouldn't understand how much they can benefit from a site such as this. Strip Clubs, especially in today's economy are going to be the first frivolous expense cut, unless they figure out a way to keep customers happy. Conversely, happy customers act as a walking advertisement for the clubs they frequent. In the Providence are its no coincidence that the club doing the best right now is Club Desire. They truly understand customr service from the owner on down through the entire staff. Ownership is out and about all the time and always buys at least one cocktail for a good customer. The bartenders can free pour so they can treat regulars well. There is topless and nude options and a basic topless lap dance (basic for Rhode Island is considered omg contact elsewhere)is still only $20. A free shot every hour. A free raffle for a drink card with $25 worth of drinks every hour. You can buy a customer appreciation drink card for $20 and they credit $25 on the card. Top it off with free food not off a buffet and a private club called Lust that opens most days with a separate entrance, bar and CR area. You pay $300 a quarter to join but I think either $260 or $280 of that comes back as drink credits. Add in the overall prettiest group of dancers in Providence and the new Champagne rooms (8 comfortable and private, but not as comfy or private as Lust)and you'd have a winner. The fact that contact in the CR'swith beautiful women is borderline amazing, well I lied, its amazing and you have a club thats worthy of travel.
  • georgmicrodong
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    13 years ago
    If TUSCL were a site where reviewers restricted their reviews to evaluating strip clubs as the legal entities they claim to be, then I'd agree that sites like this one would absolutely be a resource managers should want to heed.
  • looneylarry
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    10 years ago
    I think that GMs would react that way if their business model is to fleece customers. They know that TUSCL can warn curtsies of shady behavior. If they are treating their customers well, then TUSCL can help them. Dancers probably wouldn't care unless a review names them as a provider of extras (or provides enough info that they can be outed) or identifies them as a ROB. I haven't run into a girl yet who has mentioned that she was propped in TUSCL. So I don't bring it up. Nothing to be gained, and much to lose, if she thinks that you are wise to all of the games.
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