5 Club Hacks for Stripping When Sick!
So, I did another blog on my homelife page about being sick and keeping it all together. Which made me think, why don’t I do one for all my strippies out there who still have to work while sick!
This was definitely me when I danced, I would get sick a few times each year mostly from staying out too late and overindulging (plus I used to smoke cigarettes and work at clubs where smoking was permitted inside). But as a dancer/independent contractor it’s hard to save up money for those sick days! Obviously, it’s best to take time off but if that isn’t an option - here are some club hacks that I learned while dancing when I wasn’t feeling 100%. (This really just pertains to common colds – for serious illnesses consult with a doctor and get well soon!)
5 Club Hacks for Stripping When Sick!
1. Depending on what kind of sickness you have caught you may still want to/have to dance through it. Prep throughout the day.Don’t just leave getting ready for the night to the last minute or feel rushed through the day. Take your time getting ready. Take a long shower, use a lot time to do your hair and do your makeup last!
2. Get plenty of fluids. Now I wasn’t one of those dancers who liked to dance sober but when I was sick I would try to order that bottle of Voss water with every alcoholic drink. If your club has incentives for ordering dancer drinks, try cashing in on those. Also, red wine is said to help with congestion and mucus so order a glass and sip it instead of taking shots.
3. NEVER ADMIT YOU ARE SICK.There are always easy ways to hide that you have a cold while you are with a customer. Cough or clear your throat during a dance (not while sitting on their lap) and face away from them. If you can’t help it and have to cough in front or *ahem* on them, make sure to say excuse me and then try to subdue the cough. For runny noses, I found that it was best to excuse myself to the bathroom or dressing room more frequently. Wiping snot in front of the customer is never advised but if you have to use a cocktail napkin and blame allergies or the cigarette smoke (if smoking is allowed inside). Don’t tell them you have a cold, they don’t want those kinds of germs! You will not get their sympathy (trust me) and it will kill your potential to make money.
4. Don’t smoke cigarettes and go outside for fresh air.If your club allows smoking inside make sure to get fresh air on the patio. If you are a smoker obviously try not to smoke. It will only make the cold worse! Also, each time I would hit a cigarette I usually started coughing up a lung which wasn’t attractive at all. If you have to smoke don’t do so in front of the customer and try to just smoke enough to get that nicotine fix and then put it out.
5. Skip Stage!Tell the DJ that you are sick and pay to skip stage. Since your blood and body temperature are already on overdrive any sort of cardio, like a stage rotation, will only increase it. I would do stage when sick and walk off a miserable sweaty mess after. And lose out on all the potential customers while I’m trying to pull it together in the dressing room. No-one likes a red-faced coughing, sneezing hot mess on stage anyway. Usually, my DJ’s would take sympathy and let me skip for the night (I was usually one who loved going on stage).
Obviously, the best course of action is to stay home when sick but sometimes that isn’t always an option. Throughout my 7.5 years dancing I did have to go to work sick a time or two (and sorry to all my customers I may have given my colds to! Haha). These club hacks were what helped me get through the night and at least make a little money before going home to my cozy bed and chicken noodle soup. Hope these tips help you make the best of being sick, love and glitter - BW
