behavioral and interactional patterns of strip club patrons: tipping techniques and club attendance
Title:
behavioral and interactional patterns of strip club patrons: tipping techniques and club attendance
Author:
Brewster, Zachary W.
Appeared in:
Deviant behavior
Paging:
Volume 24 (2003) nr. 3 pages 221-243
Year:
2003-05
Contents:
In the last three decades a significant amount of research has been done on various aspects of strip clubs. The overwhelming majority of this research has focused on the females who perform at these clubs. Until recently, the patrons who frequent these clubs have been virtually ignored. Using covert participant observation, data were collected on patrons who frequented a small, private, strip club located in a small, rural city in the southeastern United States. Using a synthesis of symbolic interactionism and exchange theory, the club's patrons were analyzed, resulting in a description of the dynamics that constitute a patron as a "regular." From the data two distinct types of strip club regulars emerged: monetary regulars and frequency regulars. In the former sense, the status of "regular" is dependent on the amount of economic exchange, while in the latter it is dependent on mere frequency of club attendance. In addition, this analysis distinguishes between three distinct methods of tipping and explores the social and structural mechanisms that govern the various tipping techniques. Finally, the research supports prior studies that have addressed the underlying overt and covert motives for frequenting strip clubs.
Journal description