mamet said:
If it makes you feel like a whore, and you're uncomfortable with that, then don't do it. If, however, you're alright with the idea that a great deal of your money is probably made because men find you attractive (which comes into play with regular waitressing a bit, too, I'm sure), then there's absolutely nothing wrong with what you're doing. But by asking people on a message board if it's honest, it leads me to believe you're not comfortable with it. And $300 is not worth your dignity.

Although it's totally worth mine.
Just saying.

Keith

Hooker, OK

August 2002

APR 16, 2006 08:00 PM

You don't want to sell me death-sticks.

Mocha

New Orleans, LA

April 2006

APR 16, 2006 09:39 PM

tehpeanut said:
your working utopia right? those girls there are brave...i couldnt do it...the few times i went it was horrible...the money might be good but the job isnt...think about how it was before katrina..all the assholes that were there then...not just guy i mean people all together...i would go there and get molested and jerked around and i had more on than those girls did...there are plenty other bars that make great tips and have a more controled environment...now dont get me wrong im not say its a bad place to go...its a cool club and i can enjoy myself there but i dont think the girls are getting what they are working for...if your not working there and i got my clubs mixed...then do what you need to do..

EEP! i work at bourbon street blues company. utopia girls put up with a LOT more. for me? i will put the end of a test tube in my mouth and pour it into somone else's. girls at utopia will pretty much put a test tube *anywhere* and have someone take it. it was disturbing the only time i went.

mamet said:
But by asking people on a message board if it's honest, it leads me to believe you're not comfortable with it. And $300 is not worth your dignity.

it's really not a matter of that... i was just kind of wondering. I'm ok with it, because i did, in fact, ask for the job. i knew what i was getting myself into. I just think it's always an interesting argument, as some people think it's a terrible job and others think it's just damn good money for dealing with what i have to deal with anyway (well, at least any time you walk down bourbon between the hours of 3pm and 11 am... lunch isn't usually too bad!)

MissNomer

San Francisco, CA

September 2005

APR 16, 2006 09:47 PM

plzspearbritney said:
ok, so last night was my first night as a Shot Girl at a local bar (and by local i mean on Bourbon Street since i live in new orleans). I carry a tray of test tube shots and sell em for $2 a pop. The job pays well and it's really fairly easy (although the music gives me a terrible headache and i dont really want to drink as many shots as i am bought, and people are upset when you refuse).
However, it's hard for me to draw the line between "working what god gave me" and wearing tight pants and a tiny tanktop and being verbally molested by drunk tourists
and
"whoring myself to the public" by acting like i have nothing to offer but a body to stare at.

this debate is rampant among friends and foe, and i was just wondering... for members of SG and SGs themselves, is this a degrading move? or is making $300 a night in tips a good way to pay off college loans?

[Edited on Apr 16, 2006 by plzspearbritney]

Ya gotta learn how to spill or spit those shots without drinking them! I've never been a shot girl, but I worked as a B-girl and never drank a drop. It took practice.
I think you're earning an honest living. You're not conning anyone to tip you or buy shots from you, right? Not stealin' wallets, right? It's no different than bartending, in my book.

If you can look yourself in the eye every day after work, you're continuing to pursue your goals, and if you're receiving long-term benefits from this job (paying off your loans counts), then this is a good thing to be doing right now. Exploit the opportunity!

Anton

Australia

September 2003

APR 16, 2006 09:51 PM

plzspearbritney said:
or is making $300 a night in tips a good way to pay off college loans?

I was a bit undecided until you got to this bit.

Keep doing it. That's crazy money.

FrankMask

Saint Paul, MN

June 2003

APR 17, 2006 02:08 AM

DustyDuck said:
Have a row of tubes filled with colored water that are just there for yourself when people offer to buy you shots. Other than that, meh, $300 a night will take a nice chunk off your loans in short time to be sure.

The tube thing is wisdom.

As to whether your job is degrading, only you can answer that question, and your answer is the one that most matters.

On a slightly less trite note, you have to decide for yourself. Me? I don't think I could do that job. I think it would make me feel bad after a while. But if you can handle it without feeling bad about yourself or taking home bad feelings, then go for it.

Carmen

SUICIDEGIRL

New York, USA

APR 17, 2006 06:03 AM

Here's the thing about all of these types of jobs (where you're basically getting paid for sex appeal)
1. you never make as much as they say you will. They quote you the best possible night with the best possible circumstances. Generally speaking you'll make bout 60% of what they say you'll make in a night.
2. you don't do this job every day. So that $300 or whatever has to last until your next shift...and if you're a new girl, thats not often
3. You won't be able to do it and keep up with school/a day job. Maybe for a few months...but not for over 6. No one can work till 3AM (earliest) more than once a week and have a productive day the next day. plus even if your shift ends at 3, you're not home then.
4. club jobs are not known for being safe. that $300 better be worth it for you to be willingly putting yourself into situations that could be potentially dangerous. Not to mention you are techincally selling your image, and a lot of people think that means more than just what they can see (IE they want to touch too)
5. this is not something you can put on a resume and, if anything, it will hinder your future job searches
6. jobs like this come with drama. lots and lots of drama.

so you have to decide if its worth it to you. Most of the people I know who re successful in an industry similar to this (whether its cocktail waitressing or stripping or whatever,) are NOT doing it for the money- they're doing it because they love it.

Lotus

SUICIDEGIRL

Ontario, Canada

APR 17, 2006 09:12 AM

I'm planning on doing this this summer. Work in a bar anyway, I may not be the shot girl.
I don't see anything wrong with it.

SirPsychoSexy

Ridgewood, NJ

January 2004

APR 17, 2006 12:24 PM

Anton said:

plzspearbritney said:
or is making $300 a night in tips a good way to pay off college loans?

I was a bit undecided until you got to this bit.

Keep doing it. That's crazy money.

I would just like to point out again, that college loans in the US are usually crazy good and you can become more financially secure through saving and investing the cash then by paying off student loans now when you are so young and don't at all need to.

Saya

SUICIDEGIRL

I'm lost

APR 17, 2006 12:32 PM

A girl's gotta eat.

(That was my survival mantra to get through college.)

The shit you do in college to pay bills... it doesn't count against you.

If anyone has something to say about it, either they're a hater or they have their silver spoon. Either way, fuck 'em!

Do your thing, girl.

XO