To the strippers on fluther, current and former, how do you feel about this profession?

I, like many people, have thought that being a stripper was a demeaning job and something that a woman (or a man) would only do if she/he had no other choice. I’ve been thinking lately and, truly, I don’t think it’s any less demeaning than any other job. Sure, it has the possibility to be demeaning, if you are forced into it and don’t really want to do it, then, sure, I can see how it’s demeaning. The same, however, can be said of damn near any job. If you’re a lawyer, and you hate it, you feel shitty and slimy every time you go into work. If you’re a grocer, and you hate it, you feel low and awful every time you go into work.

So, for you strippers out there, past or present, I have a few questions for you.

1. What made you decide to go into this line of work?
2. Do you tell people what you do/did? If so, do you use euphemisms or say something like, “I work in a bar,” or “I’m an entertainer,”?
3. Do you love it or do you think of it just another job?
4. How do you deal with the reactions of people who do not like what you do?

Thanks for answering these questions. I also welcome the input of anyone who wants to be a stripper or knows a stripper. As always, I welcome any input from any member of the collective.