Friday, July 23, 2010

The Debate

Believe it or not, this is a debate I have heard and had. Is there a difference between strip clubs and reading romance novels? I know what you are thinking? "What the heck is that all about?" Let me tell you the story.

One night, my husband and I were on a date and we had just left the restaurant. While we were driving down the road and discussing the next thing we wanted to do, the radio station we were listening to took a moment to talk and have people call in with their questions and answers. A gentleman came on wanting to ask the opinion of the DJ. This is what he said. "My wife and I are having an arguement and I would like to ask you a question. Do you think there is a difference between a man going to a strip club and a woman reading romance novels? I don't and she does."

At this point Andy was getting ready to say something and I shushed him wanting to hear what was going to be said next. Andy caught on quickly and listened too. The man went on to say that he didn't think there was any difference between the two because a man goes to a strip club for excitement and a woman reads a romance novel for the same reason. He said there was no way a woman didn't get excited from reading one when they write about kissing and sex so vividly. I just about died. I couldn't believe it and I said as much as I jabbed my thumb towards the radio. The wife said there was a HUGE difference between the two. Andy wasn't about to make a comment, but I was determined to get his point of veiw. So, he took a breath and said that he could see both of their points. I asked him how could he know if he had never read a romance novel? He laughed and reminded me of reading to him my sex scene. I blushed! So, I decided that it was only fair. To make a critical decision I needed to have both sides. Soooo, (dramatic pause), I told him to take me to a strip club so I could see what it was like. Yes, I swear, I made him take me, though I doubt I had to push very hard!!! LOL!

Okay, let's just say I am not very good company in a club like that. You can't take a girl with 16 yrs. of dance lessons in a place like that and not expect her to comment on the dancing. I did to Andy's annoyance. We didn't stay very long; Andy could tell I was uncomfortable. When we were back in the vehicle though, we resumed our conversation. I told him what it all boiled down to is that there is a difference in the two, in my honest opinion. People go to strip club to get "excited" because there is an acutal stimulation there. When one is reading a book ,that is all that is going on; reading. Even if the scenes are good ones, and I must say I have read some good ones, nothing happens. Andy understood what I was saying and agreed.

Every once in a while, when we have friends over, that evening comes up and we will discuss it. I can tell you that it makes for a good discussion and an interesting evening.

Now, I want to know what you think of it. Leave your comments below and let's see if you think there is a difference or not.

9 comments:

  1. Very entertaining and interesting post, Sarah! I agree with you that it isn't the same. A male strip club and a female strip club would be equal. Or a man reading a hot scene and a woman reading a hot scene (equally graphic). At least that's my opinion :)

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  2. Sarah, to me they are different because you're interacting (or at least hoping to, if you're a guy) with another human being at a club. That isn't happening in books. Not yet, anyway.

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  3. This is a great post, Sarah. I've never been to a strip club, but I have been to a party with a stripper, so I guess it's similar enough. I agree with your perspective. I read romance novels because I want to read about the H/H's journey to their HEA. A strip club/stripper encounter is an physical/visual stimulation with a physical/sexual response. That is the intent of the strip club/stripper. It is not the intent of a romance novel, in my opinion.

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  4. Thank you all for joining me in this post. I love to hear what everyone thinks about different topics. I wish the guy that had made the comment on the radio could read this!!!

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  5. I also agree that the two are different. Romance novels will always have a romance, but not all contain sexual passages. A strip club is just that, a place where women dance and strip.

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  6. Oh my Lord I about fell on the floor laughing. Leave it to a man to equate the two. This is why I have made my hubby read several romance novels. Now if I can just get him to read mine! great post. Keep it up.

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  7. Thanks ladies, I am glad you enjoyed this post Nancy! It is amazing the rationalization some people can come up with to make things ok.

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  8. Sarah, I think I told you this before about how I went to a female strip club with my ex who was a musician? We went there because he was a local road tech for Ozzie Ozbourne's guitarist at the time,Zakk Wylde who was VERY wild. This was part of his entertainment for the night and unfortunately I was along for the very long ride. Trust me having been to both male and female strip clubs there is NOTHING romantic about it all. There is a definite difference between the two. I don't feel dirty or seedy from a book nor do I have to clean baby oil and sparkles off my clothing. LOL A romance novel stirs passion, romance as well as lust. Strip clubs are just pure lust dens. Come in and get your rocks off. At least at the end of the night I am reaching for my man and not for some cheap one nighter.

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  9. Good points made there Lizzie!!! Thanks for sharing!!

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