OCCUPATION THESAURUS

EXOTIC DANCER



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HELPFUL TIP:

There’s probably a good reason why your character chose their career. Think about how certain talents and skills, a dominant positive or negative trait, or even an emotional wound might have influenced this decision. And once they're on the job, don't forget about the many work-related conflict scenarios you can throw at them to create tension and add complications.
OVERVIEW:
An exotic dancer can be male or female, and work in a variety of venues such as bars, gentlemen clubs, as in-home entertainment (such as a birthday party or retirement party), or at special events (bachelor parties, Ladies' Night, clubs, porn industry award shows and after parties, etc.). Exotic Dancers may take off all their clothing, only some, or simply tease while taking nothing off at all. They must be personable, have excellent hygiene, be conversationalists, and have a strong sense of playfulness. Dancing requires flexibility, strength, balance, grace, and a good sense of costuming and presentation.

In some areas, “exotic dancers” and “strippers” are viewed as interchangeable, and in others, exotic dancers are seen as being more refined, having stronger choreography and dance skills, and being cultured in the art of conversation more so than a stripper who may be more focused on the routine and less on the conversing and rapport-building with a client. Sometimes “exotic dancer” is used to describe a belly dancer, burlesque performer, or show girl, but these will be covered in a different entry.

Dancers are not always paid by the establishment; often they are paid directly by customers during their routine on stage, or for private dances. In this case they charge per dance (or for a special event, by the hour). Dancers in this case also may pay fees to the establishment, sometimes to a dressing room manager, and often will tip bartenders and bouncers to ensure they and their clients are well taken care of. They may follow a set work schedule, or have a “drop-in” agreement, working only as long as they wish to. The median age is 23, and although it seems like a cliché, many dancers are actually putting themselves through school!

NECESSARY TRAINING:
An exotic dancer usually has some dance skills, and possibly formal training (a ballet background, time in theater, etc.) that aids in their ability to provide a strong performance. Dancers must also be fit, flexible, be attractive and have specific physical attributes that make them eye candy to their clientele.

USEFUL SKILLS, TALENTS, OR ABILITIES:
A KNACK FOR MAKING MONEY, CHARM, EXCEPTIONAL MEMORY, GAINING THE TRUST OF OTHERS, GOOD LISTENING SKILLS, HAGGLING, LIP-READING, LYING, MAKING PEOPLE LAUGH, MUSICALITY, PARKOUR, PHOTOGRAPHIC MEMORY, PROMOTION, READING PEOPLE

HELPFUL POSITIVE TRAITS:
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HELPFUL NEGATIVE TRAITS:
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EMOTIONAL WOUNDS THAT MAY HAVE FACTORED INTO THIS OCCUPATION CHOICE:
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SOURCES OF FRICTION:
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PEOPLE THEY MIGHT INTERACT WITH:
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HOW THIS OCCUPATION MIGHT IMPACT ONE'S BASIC NEEDS:
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TWISTING THE STEREOTYPE:
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REASONS THE CHARACTER MAY HAVE BEEN DRAWN TO THIS PROFESSION:
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