"Why do you think women work here?" I asked the graying, casually dressed customer that had just propositioned me.

"Because there's no stress. It's not like being a legal secretary in a law firm," he answered.

Unbeknownst to many people, an exotic dancer not only struts on a stage but she also tangos into her conversations. Over time she develops well-rehearsed, choreographed routines that are displayed in rhetoric she glides into and out of depending upon the male's lead. The successful dancer learns to be a surrogate girlfriend, gentle mother, therapist, confidant, friend, dominatrix, trickster, and liar. She must be able to assess a man's demeanor and determine quickly what personality and response will benefit her most....

Within the dance club women are powerful and in control. Some men are fearful, resentful, or angry of this female power while some want to surrender into it. They don't want further responsibility after making decisions all day and need to be seduced. Some desire coercion so as not to feel shame about their voyeuristic desires....

In order to ease their tension and gain control some men make jokes or belittle the women. They're trying to manifest security by inflating their egos....

I have worked as a legal secretary in a law office. I have worked in customer service and have dealt with powerful business men in a professional capacity. No where ever has my emotional awareness, my ability and need to pirouette on cue with complete psychological dexterity been needed more than in the dance club. In this microcosm of the eternal interactions between men and women each seduces, preens, struts, manipulates, connives, attracts, defends, intimidates, rejects, accepts, and verbally spars.

"You're right," I told the man who compared my job to that of a legal secretary's, "The two jobs are dissimilar. My job is much more demanding."

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