As the EXPO endeavors to welcome more entertainers to the convention, more seminars will be dedicated exclusively to them. This year, Robert Smith of Nightclub Security Consultants provided a “Dancer Safety” seminar, and here he recaps his main points and suggests that if entertainers don’t feel safe in their current club, they should “leave immediately.”
(NOTE: This story was written by Robert C. Smith and appears in the Nov 2024 issue of ED Magazine.)
When I was asked to provide this session at the 2024 ED Expo, I jumped quickly. I knew instantly that the information I was going to provide, the way I would present it could really help the entertainers that attended be safer before, during and after their shift.
It’s been said a million times; “without entertainers, the only thing you have is a bar”. So, if owners and managers have heard that short phrase, why don’t more help the entertainers be safer, smarter and better at doing their jobs. “JOBS”, mind you, that can end up with deadly consequences.
I started my session being very honest and direct with attendees. I showed and discussed f separate news stories about 4 murders of entertainers, including one from a local Dallas club a few months earlier. These stories were not only meant to start opening the attendees’ eyes, but, maybe to shock them into believing my important points.
Entertainers must set personal boundaries
- Boundaries for themselves: What they will do and won’t do, even when pressured by guests, other entertainers, club employees or big spending guests.
- Boundaries for the guests/clients: What they will allow a guest to do.
- Boundaries for the club (management): What you will accept or allow the club to ask you to do, or not do.
To me, this point was most important, so I discussed it first and gave it most of the time. I could only imagine that when money is being thrown at you, or large sums of money is being offered to you, setting real and smart boundaries can be very difficult.
I provided attendees with ideas on what their personal boundaries might be, then how to set those boundaries. I used a common analogy I’ve used for years: “Puppies & Children.” I told attendees to consider their clients, and even their club employees/managers as Puppies and Children. My explanation was simple: If you don’t teach your puppy or your child the rules, they continue to break them. This same idea is true for your clients and the club employees you work with.
Additionally, we discussed that if you give clear and firm boundaries, those boundaries are very likely to be followed by all. And if they are not followed, you give another firm explanation, a second chance, and that’s it. Entertainers must have a limit and have that line in the sand they will not tolerate.
When truly assaulted by a guest, FOLLOW UP, and if needed, press criminal charges. Do not allow assault be a normal part of your job.
– Robert Smith
As I said, this first point was really the bulk of our training session. However, here are the other points we discussed that can keep entertainers safe and maybe save their lives. Here are bullet points of the other important points we discussed.
- Speak to management about possible and real solutions to truly being assaulted by a guest.
- When truly assaulted by a guest, FOLLOW UP, and if needed, press criminal charges. Do not allow assault be a normal part of your job.
- Trust your gut. Entertainers have sat and talked with hundreds of guests. They know, almost immediately, if the guest is “normal” or “abnormal”. Respect your inner voice that tells you; “this guy is weird” or “this guy is a creep.” Do not let money allow you to break your boundaries.
- Do not share your real social media information. As hard as it can be, you must understand at work, you present a nice and friendly fantasy for the guest. And sometimes, that guest wants more than the fantasy. If they start stalking you online, immediately take the appropriate action to put them in check.
- Do not go out after your shift with guests. This is another area that can be very difficult. The client has visited you dozens of times, they have spent money for your time, they are nice … then they ask you out. I suggested they just don’t ever do it.
- If they feel strange about a guest or client, notify guards or managers immediately. At minimum, they can keep an eye on that guest.
The last point we discussed was one that normally is a part of nearly all dangerous issues surrounding an entertainer and guest. DO NOT DRINK TO EXCESS. We all know that our judgment is not the same when intoxicated. I explained that this simple information is also known by creeps, stalkers, and dangerous guests looking for an opening to seek an advantage. A guest that buys you a drink is nice, sweet and polite. But alcohol is also the number one drug used by predators to commit sexual assault. PLEASE DO NOT DRINK TO EXCESS.
I closed my session with some questions and answers. But one comment, from an entertainer with over six years of club experience, made all attendees sit up and listen. This entertainer said that “sometimes” managers just don’t care when you tell them about a creepy guest, or a guest that is getting to “handsy.”
As I write these final paragraphs, any manager or owner reading this should take notice. If this one entertainer feels this way, there are so many more that feel that way. And my response to this entertainer and the room of 30 others was simple.
If you work in a club that does truly does not appreciate you, that truly allows you to be assaulted, if you work in a club that you feel is truly unsafe — you need to leave immediately. I also told the group that I know of several clubs that do appreciate their entertainers, and they can always move on to another club.
That was about it, the session ended with over a dozen of the entertainers coming forward to shake my hand and give me a hug. I was glad I was asked to provide this session.
Robert C. Smith is the President and CEO of Nightlife Security Consultants (NSC), Inc. His company has trained over 10,000 hospitality employees and worked with over 1500 alcohol service venues nationwide. The unique training created and offered by NSC covers the topics such as conflict resolution, legal use of force, premise liability, recognition of bad id, active shooter awareness and more. Based on his successful training solutions, Robert has been called upon to provide expert guidance for attorneys, insurance companies, law enforcement officials and industry trade associations surrounding areas of liquor and premise liability.
Robert’s training programs and expertise have been reviewed by state courts and insurance companies and have been deemed well above the “Hospitality Industry Standard of Care” surrounding training and education of bar and club security employees. Now retired, after 20-years as a San Diego Police Officer and Detective, Robert continues to teach and train to help lower liquor liability for all liquor licensed establishments. You can reach Robert on Twitter @bouncercoach or email at rsmith@nightclubsecurity.com.
