I find it kind of annoying that the top comment here is a guy who worked in proximity to strippers but was not a stripper himself. I'd say it teaches you a lot about human nature. And as a woman, a lot about men. I think the thing that would surprise people the most to hear is that most strippers I've known are very sympathetic and empathetic towards the customers. Most of these women have had some kind of hard knocks and they understand that a lot of men who frequent strip clubs are lonely and deprived of affection. There are these rare moments when you know your job is actually therapeutic to someone. Another nice thing about stripping is the total rebellion of it which can feel empowering. Society doesnt approve of you and you reject that and do what you want. Some strippers I've known have had low self esteem but just as many were a special kind of feminist. The kind of woman that believed she would never rely on a man again and would make herself financially independent at any cost. We sell everything else about ourselves in the workplace. The only reason it's frowned upon for women to sell sex or sexuality is we still put these things on a pedestal. Like a women's vagina is a sacred place that only one guy should own cuz...love. and yet female sexuality is commercialized and capitalized in our society in so many ways. Its almost as if theres only ever a problem with a women selling sex if shes selling it herself - and profiting too -no middleman. I mean anyone is welcome to disagree but it's all a matter of philosophy and many strippers just see the world a little differently. There's an ugly side too. You are surrounded by unsavory figures, drugs, ugliness. It is the underbelly of society. And it's very easy to lose yourself there and do things you will always regret.