Taboo Strip Club Raided By Police

[marc anthony]

RE: Update

 

>

>Note for those visiting during the Memorial day weekend

>or other time weekends during this period. This would be a

>good opportunity to show support and help a favorite or a few

>out. I know, as Mark does, that onstage tips are very much

>appreciated (US or CN $), this for those who might be

>reticient to visit the back room in these times. For others,

>even if the backroom is not the same, it is an opportunity to

>offer support and consider it a long term investment in a

>stock you really like.

>

>

 

Tampa: I couldn't have put it better myself. I am planning a series of trips in July to offer my support. I can only hope that the June 21 court date doesn't pre-empt me. If not, I will certainly plan to show the boys how much I appreciate the fun they have provided me over the years.

[Guest YFSC]

RE: Update

 

All of this is right in keeping with what I have seen and heard.

 

>New rules:

>On stage: no erections, the dancer cannot touch his body

>Backroom: no touching no sitting, no erections, just standing

>and turning dance on pedestal for eyes only.

 

These are the new rules at Taboo and are mostly being observed. But I can attest from first-hand experience that they are *definitely* not in force at some other clubs.

[Guest nesmontreal]

RE: Update

 

Actually, the date we are all waiting for is not June 21, but June 12. June 12 is the court date for Ti-Guy Doux and the other staff members who were arrested. To be sure of this, tonight (Wednesday) I asked Robert the deejay who is running things at Taboo nowadays, and he confirmed that the date is June 12.

 

Indeed the dancers and the customers are carrying on as best they can, night after night. The dancers are very appreciative of the support of those customers who show up just about every night, and I'm sure they look forward to the support of all of you will be visiting in the near future.

[shy]

quotes from article in toronto xtra about raid

 

i'm going to quote from an article about the raid that quotes from authorities about the raid and the reason. to my knowledge this hasn't been posted yet.

 

"police arrested seven staff with operating a common bawdy house and all 23 on-duty dancers with being found in a common bawdy house. commander yves riopel of the city's morality, alcohol and drug squad says some dancers will also be charged with performing indecent acts. all the patrons could have been charged with being found in a bawdy house.

'but not everybody had the knowledge of where they were,' riopel says.

police say the bust was initiated because of reports of underage dancers working at the maisonneuve blvd club. riopel says the place was under investigation 'for several months.'

though a 1999 supreme court of canada ruling says it's okay to touch a dancer's chest, butt and thighs, riopel says oral sex and oral-anal sex is illegal and that those acts were taking place in the open areas at taboo.

'that's the line that was transgressed,' he says.

riopel says that taboo was not singled out.

'there are other dancer clubs in montreal where we do validate what is going on,' he says. 'we haven't found the same thing as what was happening at taboo...it has nothing to do with the gay community or the gay area'."

[VaHawk]

RE: Update

 

Aren't any of these guys up for privates at your hotel or do they only do that in the backroom? I'm just not into that scene unless I'm on party drugs, and I haven't done those in years.

 

If so, how does one approach them about that? If I tip them well when they are dancing will they respond with enough interest to be friendly enough discuss a hotel private? If you do tip them when they are on stage, what is the appropriate manner to do so?

 

The first time I was ever in Montreal 10 years ago and tipped boys dancing, I felt like an idiot as I was the only one doing so, and the bartender (this was at Campus) told me that wasn't the scene in Canada. Since then, I have not tipped boys when they are on stage.

[Guest Tampa Yankee]

RE: Update

 

Thanks for straightening that out. I did transpose my digits. :o

[marc anthony]

RE: quotes from article in toronto xtra about raid

 

> though a 1999 supreme court of canada ruling says it's

>okay to touch a dancer's chest, butt and thighs, riopel says

>oral sex and oral-anal sex is illegal and that those acts were

>taking place in the open areas at taboo.

 

This is actually good news. If in fact Taboo stays open for business after the June 12 court date, it should at least return to allowing touching in the back room...

 

I am not sure why that isn't happening now, if in fact this is the law.

[marc anthony]

RE: Update

 

>Aren't any of these guys up for privates at your hotel or do

>they only do that in the backroom?

 

Some do, some don't

 

 

>If so, how does one approach them about that?

 

I can't answer about how they will respond now after this whole mess... but in the past, you could just ask. And not all would do it, but almost none would ever get offended.

 

If

>you do tip them when they are on stage, what is the

>appropriate manner to do so?

>

 

Probably the classiest way to do it is to put the money on the stage in front of where you are sitting. Most of the boys do appreciate this, and they will often come over after their dance to talk to you. It is true that it is mainly Americans that tip dancers, and that most of the locals don't, unless they are really trying to win the attention/affection of a particular dancer.

[Guest Tampa Yankee]

RE: Update

 

>Aren't any of these guys up for privates at your hotel or do

>they only do that in the backroom?

 

Some are...

 

>

>If so, how does one approach them about that?

 

Best to get to know them a little so they get some feel for you. Buy them a drink in the front room and have a get acquainted conversation. Or do it in the back room during a dance to two. Or both works well. IMO most aren't hard-edged enough to sign up with a complete stranger who pops the question up front. You may end of spending half a night in the club if you think the potential is worth it. And whether it works out or not, other dancers notice you and you will have more company during the night. Sooner or later the right chemistry may produce a meeting of minds. Remember, these guys are dancers not escorts and they were there for the money and to have fun before the troubles. Now the fun seems MIA and the money is not much better.

 

> If I tip them

>well when they are dancing will they respond with enough

>interest to be friendly enough discuss a hotel private?

 

This would not be my approach. This is campus strategy. See above about getting to know the guy. A good tip is a very good way to start.

 

 

> If you do tip them when they are on stage, what is the

>appropriate manner to do so?

>

 

If you have a stage side table then place a bill on the stage rail in front of your table. I usually crease the bill longways down the center giving it three demensions in order to make it a little more visible. If you do not have a ring side table then approach the stage and show the tip to the dancer when he is in your proximity. He will come over and you may hand it to him between the tables or over an empty chair.

 

>The first time I was ever in Montreal 10 years ago and tipped

>boys dancing, I felt like an idiot as I was the only one doing

>so, and the bartender (this was at Campus) told me that wasn't

>the scene in Canada.

 

It's true... it is not the scene with the Canadian patrons. However we Americans rewrite the book. And the dancers like our book a lot. NOt only in their dance but in their attitude and friendliness all around. And Taboo management had no problem with me alone or with Mark Antony , Retired MIke and me. And other AMericans to tip as well. We made quite a spectacle of ourselves with tips and boys surrounding us all night long for company and conversation. The manager also pulls in tips (unintentionally) on rare occasions when he appears on stage for some event or other. He's a good sport about it

 

I also tip at campus. Whether it is the Canadian way or not the dancers love it and you will get their attention and a request for the back room and some will inquire about off premise sessions. Campus, IMO, offers a quicker cut tothe chase if you are after a fast private at the hotel and the guys are your type.

 

I tip many dancers at Taboo to give support and have fun. At campus I tip one or two I have a strong interest in or I'll be surrounded all day/night with the hard sell guys.

 

.

[marc anthony]

RE: Update

 

>>Aren't any of these guys up for privates at your hotel or

>do

>>they only do that in the backroom?

>

>Some are...

>

>>

>>If so, how does one approach them about that?

>

>Best to get to know them a little so they get some feel for

>you. Buy them a drink in the front room and have a get

>acquainted conversation. Or do it in the back room during a

>dance to two. Or both works well. IMO most aren't hard-edged

>enough to sign up with a complete stranger who pops the

>question up front.

>.

>

 

This is correct. In my terse answer about asking them and their not being offended, I was assuming the usual pleasantries had been exchanged. I actually really enjoying having the dancers sitting at my table, sharing a drink, shooting the breeze, and us getting to know each other. It is both the best way to get an affirmative answer to a private, and a lot of fun in and of itself as well!

[Guest Tampa Yankee]

Uncontrollable Urges

 

Pardon my uncontrollable urge for social commentary but...

 

>police say the bust was initiated because of reports of

>underage dancers working at the maisonneuve blvd club. riopel

>says the place was under investigation 'for several months.'

 

If this statement is true then I'm flabbergasted and I think someone's head at city hall or police headquarters should be had. Three month investigation involving an under age stripper. Isn't the purpose of the law to protect children and minors for exploitation!! So what are the police doing taking three months to investigate the club with an underage stripper. Just who was exploiting this kid?? And to what end? IMO they should have investigated the allegation swiftly including onsite questioning of management and the dancer in question as well as a review of all dancer IDs for completenss. Why would it take three months to ascertain if they had an underage dancer. What moral authority did they have to leave an underage kid in this situation for three months?

 

> riopel says that taboo was not singled out.

> 'there are other dancer clubs in montreal where we do

>validate what is going on,' he says. 'we haven't found the

>same thing as what was happening at taboo..

 

lol.... In the Land of the Blind the One Eyed Man is King. It is clear that the Montreal constabulary only has princes. :+

[Guest nesmontreal]

RE: quotes from article in toronto xtra about raid

 

Thanks very, very much to shy for calling attention to the article in the Toronto Xtra.

 

Here is the complete article from the online edition:

 

Montreal cops bust strippers

TABOO / Club attracted older clientele, younger dancers

 

story by Paul Gallant / Xtra! May 15 2003

 

In a city known for its strippers both gay and straight, why did the Montreal police pick on the gay bar Taboo in a raid last weekend that resulted in the arrest of 34 people?

 

One patron, who was detained but not arrested early in the morning of May 10, says police targeted the place because it’s staffed by younger-looking men and patronized by older men.

 

“They’re the most vulnerable,” says the Taboo patron, who is in his 50s and didn’t want his name used for this story. “I think it was calculated to set the good gays against the bad gays.... They want to clean up the village and they don’t think dancer bars are appropriate.”

 

The patron estimates that about 40 officers entered the club and detained everyone for about 45 minutes. Four patrons of about 70 were arrested for allegedly committing indecent acts, while the rest were released without their names being taken. Police arrested seven staff with operating a common bawdy house and all 23 on-duty dancers with being found in a common bawdy house. Commander Yves Riopel of the city’s morality, alcohol and drug squad says some dancers will also be charged with performing indecent acts. All the patrons could have been charged with being found in a bawdy house.

 

“But not everybody had the knowledge of where they were,” Riopel says.

 

Police say the bust was initiated because of reports of underage dancers working at the Maisonneuve Blvd club. Riopel says the place was under investigation “for several months.” Police found one dancer who was 17 years old, who got the job using fake ID.

 

Though a 1999 Supreme Court Of Canada ruling says it’s okay to touch a dancer’s chest, butt and thighs, Riopel says oral sex and oral-anal sex is illegal and that those acts were taking place in the open areas at Taboo.

 

“That’s the line that was transgressed,” he says.

 

The patron says that most of the strippers at Taboo do not perform explicit sexual acts.

 

“They’re very careful about what they do. These boys don’t deserve to be treated this way. To arrest all 23 of them is unjust,” says the patron. “It’s just harmless fun. They do not like to see older men having sexual pleasure. The age factor is definitely a factor.”

 

Riopel says that Taboo was not singled out.

 

“There are other dancer clubs in Montreal where we do validate what is going on,” he says. “We haven’t found the same thing as what was happening at Taboo.... It has nothing to do with the gay community or the gay area.”

[Luv2play]

RE: Update

 

Having read recent comments on this thread, I would like to add my two-cents worth. While I feel sorry for the dancers who were caught up in this mess through no fault of their own, I don't have the same sympathy for the club Taboo itself. Montreal has had numerous male strip bars that have come and gone in the past, and if Taboo disappears, another one is likely to arise from its ashes. In any case, we are well served with stripper bars and the dancers that want to will migrate to the other bars if Taboo closes.

 

As for lending support to Taboo dancers by throwing money on the stage or tipping the dancers directly on the stage, this is NOT a Montreal custom and this is Montreal, after all. Someone commented about "re-writing the rules" but you might want to reconsider before you do so. While tourists are a big factor at many of these clubs, the locals still provide the mainstay over the full year, particularly on non-holiday times. In my experience, which is quite extensive, where strippers expect tips, such as in stripper bars in Florida, if you don't offer them one, they can become quite obnoxious. There are bars I avoid in places like Fort Lauderdale because dancers will try to stare you down to get their tip.

 

If the dancers in Montreal get used to tips from Americans, and start to ignore their Canadian clients, there will be a backlash, and it won't just be against the dancers, but the Americans as well. In a sense, this could be likened to the saunas in Brazil, where some Americans overpay the boys and cause resentment amongst the locals, who have to compete. My advice would be to give the boys dances and tip generously for their services. This is a more discreet way of supporting them and is not seen by others as throwing your money around, which is not always appreciated in any context, not just a stripper bar.

[Guest YFSC]

RE: Update

 

>Aren't any of these guys up for privates at your hotel or do

>they only do that in the backroom?

 

Some do, some don't. It depends on the dancer and probably also on how he sizes you up, how you treat him. Remember that his job category is "dancer". Don't just assume that he is also an escort.

 

>If so, how does one approach them about that? If I tip them

>well when they are dancing will they respond with enough

>interest to be friendly enough discuss a hotel private? If

>you do tip them when they are on stage, what is the

>appropriate manner to do so?

 

Tipping on stage is not usually done in Canada. Going to the back room for a private dance with him is a good way to start. Tip him there if you want.

[Guest YFSC]

RE: quotes from article in toronto xtra about raid

 

Thanks, nes, for posting the full text, and to shy for calling attention to it. It's very helpful to have the official side of the story.

[marc anthony]

I just wanted to take a minute to express my appreciation to all the reporters on this site from North of the border who have kept us informed of the situation in Taboo, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

 

Nes, YFSC, Luv2Play, and shy... thanks.

 

To those who are visiting and have given input... thanks to you as well.

 

It is obvious from reading this message board that a lot of us don't agree on a lot of things. But what we do agree on is the beauty of the male form, and the joy that people can have enjoying it. Though Taboo is not everyone's cup of tea, it is good to see all the people who have benefited from it over the years rally to support it and its dancers.

[Guest YFSC]

RE: Update

 

>Montreal has had numerous male strip bars that have come and

>gone in the past, and if Taboo disappears, another one is

>likely to arise from its ashes. In any case, we are well

>served with stripper bars and the dancers that want to will

>migrate to the other bars if Taboo closes.

 

I'm not so sure about dancer migration to other existing bars. Stock or Campus will probably not want a large influx of twinks, unless they plan to change their image. And Adonis is too small to accommodate more than just a few. It is probably true that another bar will arise from the ashes, possibly even in the same spot. Nirvana has been closed for several months and shows no sign of reopening, maybe because 5 bars in the Village was too many, but if Taboo folds there will be opportunity for another, either Nirvana or a new one.

 

>As for lending support to Taboo dancers by throwing money on

>the stage or tipping the dancers directly on the stage, this

>is NOT a Montreal custom and this is Montreal, after all.

 

Indeed. There is a very old maxim that is just as true and wise today as it was thousands of years ago: When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

 

>Someone commented about "re-writing the rules" but you might

>want to reconsider before you do so. While tourists are a big

>factor at many of these clubs, the locals still provide the

>mainstay over the full year, particularly on non-holiday

>times.

 

Very true. And even aside from that, respect and observe the customs of other places. Some Americans seem obsessed with the idea of making everyone else over in our image and can unintentionally often be very offensive by throwing money around. As an American (that's right, I'm not criticizing from outside) I find that very embarrassing. And this ties in directly with the recent debate over prices and payment in the Rio saunas, as well as with other similar threads in the past. The principle is the same.

 

>If the dancers in Montreal get used to tips from Americans,

>and start to ignore their Canadian clients, there will be a

>backlash, and it won't just be against the dancers, but the

>Americans as well. In a sense, this could be likened to the

>saunas in Brazil, where some Americans overpay the boys and

>cause resentment amongst the locals, who have to compete. My

>advice would be to give the boys dances and tip generously for

>their services. This is a more discreet way of supporting them

>and is not seen by others as throwing your money around, which

>is not always appreciated in any context, not just a stripper

>bar.

 

Right. And if you were going to just give the boy money on stage anyway, why not get a little more bang for your buck by going to the back room with him. Going to the back room isn't the same as what it used to be, but it's still allowed and you still get something. I'll bet most or all of the boys would feel better about it too.

[Guest YFSC]

Tuesday and Wednesday at Taboo

 

Tuesday there were only 5 dancers and there was almost nobody in the house. But before you write Taboo's epitaph, read on.

 

Wednesday there were 9 dancers and the house was much better, though still small.

 

I made a few circuits of the 4 Village bars on Tuesday and Wednesday, partly to try to get a comparison. Adonis was also nearly empty. Campus and Stock had more patrons than Taboo, but clearly fewer than I had seen there on other nights. But Stock still had a sizable population after 12:00. I don't know if any of the other bars were short on dancers, and I think it's premature to assume that the shortage at Taboo was because the boys don't want to work there any more. Sometimes things do come up, and there could be a variety of reasons. Pierre, Damien and Marco, who had not been there on Tuesday (and Pierre had not been there for 3 days running), were back on Wednesday. And there may just be something about these days that is not specific to the troubles at Taboo and that is causing lower patron turnout everywhere.

 

On Wednesday there were actually a lot more patrons at Taboo than at Adonis, at least when I was there. Campus also had a smallish house, probably about the same as Taboo, and Taboo had a lot more customers than Stock during the early part of the evening. Stock was almost deserted between 8 and 9/9:30. For quite a while I was the *only* customer. There were never more than 4-5 at any one time, though people drifted in and drifted out. But around 9:30 it started to fill up. Wed. is Ladies' night at Stock. Eventually the house got well-populated - not full, but sizable. Close to half were women, some alone or with other women, and some with men. Stock was also having a problem with the number of dancers for the early shift (3-9) and a dancer who had been scheduled only for the late shift (9-3) told me that the manager had called and asked if he could come in for both shifts, which he did. He also said that there was at least one other dancer who was there for both shifts for the same reason. So we shouldn't be too quick to make assumptions from the numbers at Taboo.

[Luv2play]

I heartily agree with Marc Anthony. The Taboo and the other stripper bars have allowed all of us to while away many or a few pleasant hours with some gorgeous guys. Not every visit is equally rewarding, but that's the nature of the game. Sometimes things just click and the experience is great, other times, well, at least the eye candy was good! Here's hoping everything turns out best for all concerned.

[Guest YFSC]

I just got some additional information that hasn't come up here and that may provide something of an explanation for a host of things, both things connected with the raid and also with some other things that have come up here in the past, long before the raid. I have it from a very reliable source, but it is only one source. Perhaps someone who is local in Montreal and who is better connected than I am knows this as well, or can confirm it with someone who does (nesmontreal and Luv2play, are you listening?).

 

I was intrigued by the fact that in walking along the street you can run into signs out in front of strip bars (with female strippers), with the word "sex" in the name of the bar (in French, of course, obeying the language laws), and advertising "contact dances" for $10. One of the issues at Taboo is contact/touching, and no touching was always the *official* rule there, even though it was largely not observed in the past several years until these last few days. (I remember a long time ago on my first visit being told in no uncertain terms that touching was not allowed, and at least at that time it pretty much wasn't. And a very vigilant doorman whom I haven't seen in the last 2 years or so made sure of that. He became a little less vigilant as the years went by, but not a lot.) And I assumed that was the official rule everywhere, regardless of what might actually go on in practice. So I was very curious as to how a bar could advertise "contact dances" in big letters out front.

 

Like anywhere else, you need an armload of licenses to operate a bar, and even more to operate a strip bar. Apparently in Montreal there are two kinds of licenses for strip bars -- or for lap dances within a strip bar -- which I had not suspected. One is for contact dances, and the price is fixed in the law at $10/song (contact, but there are certain restricted areas where contact is not allowed). The other is for no-contact dances, and the price is fixed in the law at $6/song. Taboo obviously has the second kind, while Campus, Stock and Adonis have the first kind. And Taboo presumably either doesn't want or cannot get the contact kind. (I'm sure that here, like everywhere else, you don't just go down to city hall, fill out the papers, pay the fee, and take home the license.)

 

If that's correct, and I have no reason to doubt it since it is from a very reliable source, it could shed light on a lot of things that have come up here both before and after the raid, such as:

 

-Why is the 'new' rule at Taboo "no contact at all"?

.....Aside from the fact that they have to be more careful now, because that's the kind of license that they have.

 

-How can the other bars go on allowing contact and doing pretty much what they were doing before the raid (OK, being a little more careful, but not like at Taboo)?

.....Because they have the contact-dance-for-$10 license.

 

-Why did the cops go only for Taboo and not the others?

.....Taboo is not supposed to have any contact at all, as opposed to the others which can have contact -- including sitting-on -- except in a few specified zones. (Yes, I know, there were other reasons too, and they were undoubtedly more important, but this was probably a contributory factor, and at the very least, makes a good excuse for going in.)

 

-Why is the monitoring at Taboo much more vigilant?

.....To prevent any contact, or at least to make a show of trying to.

 

-Why is the back room so open and well-lit?

.....Being open or unobstructed very likely specified in the law, or at least it would be a practical necessity for adequate enforcement. And very likely the 3-sided cubicles found in the other bars are defined or otherwise permitted in the law.

 

-Why are dances only $6 at Taboo when they are $10 at the other bars?

.....Because Taboo has the no-contact dance license.

 

-What was at the basis of some reports that some dancers at Taboo were trying to tell clients that the price of a dance was $10, not $6?

.....There have been comments on other threads earlier to the effect that "Dances at Taboo are only $6 but some of the boys will try to tell you that they are $10. Don?t be taken in.", making it sound like some Taboo dancers were trying to scam the clients. Well, it's true that the dances are officially $6, but the boys were providing what is apparently the $10 service. So the claim of $10, while not in keeping with the license, was not completely unfounded either, and it was *not* just a scam or envy of the other clubs on the part of the boys.

 

 

This seems to explain several puzzling facts.

[Guest Tampa Yankee]

The Long and the Short of IT......

 

Since Luv2PlaY and YFSC, one Canadian and one American, have commented on my post with the good manners not to call my name. I feel that I owe them a response. First, as a matter of principle I agree with the concept of ‘when in Rome…’ whether Rome is Rio or Montreal. It is good manners at the least and sometimes more. And I try to take my manners with me when I travel. In addition, I agree with just about everything pointed out. However, there are other issues in contrast to these that I also agree with and when they come into conflict the decision is not always so clear cut, in my view anyway.

 

Both gentleman advocate as Luv2play says "My advice would be to give the boys dances and tip generously for their services." Seems like a good idea – and I do… a lot. Also I advocate it for others. However, I appreciate the effort that many dancers put out on stage – many more than I can afford to take in the back. Their stage show entertains me and I show my appreciation with a $5 or $10 tip. I believe that if someone entertains me while getting no pay other than tips or whatever, then I should tip or whatever. My pockets aren’t deep enough to give them all multiple dances in the backroom nor do I want to stoke their enthusiasm for a back room session and then cut them off after one dance with them wondering if I was displeased.

 

YFSC remarks "Some Americans seem obsessed with the idea of making everyone else over in our image and can unintentionally often be very offensive by throwing money around. As an American (that's right, I'm not criticizing from outside) I find that very embarrassing." Again I’m in agreement with this. I don’t take this as directed at me but in case I’m wrong … I’m definitely not obsessed with remaking anyone in ‘our’ image. And I don’t unintentionally throw money around. I’m a working person (or was) and money doesn’t come easy so when I distribute it then there is a specific purpose other than making a spectacle. My usual practice is to be low key if not discreet.

 

As for tipping breeding obnoxious and aggressive dancers, I concede that this can happen with individuals but I think it is a personality quirk. Even so, that is one reason why I don’t, as a rule, tip at other clubs where there is already higher level of aggressive behavior. I have a difficult time seeing this become a major concern at Taboo, but maybe I’m wrong about that.

 

My post was intended to inspire those too reticent to go in the back room in these troubled times but who want to support the dancers with contributions. I’m certainly open to other suggestions but I haven’t seen any and tipping is a way to help. I was a little too exuberent when I advocated it but I was trying to instill enthusiasm and confidence to those interested and that, I now fear, this exchange has dampened.

 

I view the current situation as an emergency of sorts. The house is on fire and people are being displaced financially and emotionally injured – people I know and like, people I don’t want to see displaced permanently. This is the short view. The long view is if the house burns to the ground another will rise in the spot and new inhabitants will move in. It may or may not work out that way. But for those caught up in the turmoil is it a difficult and painful experience to weather. Much more so than for bystanders that more easily can afford the long view. Maybe protocols have to be modified, even temporarily, to meet emergencies. Letting the house burn to the ground is no guarantee that another will rise … and what of our friends?

[marc anthony]

YFSC: If this is in fact the issue, then I hope it is still correctable.

 

I have always maintained that at $6 a song, Taboo was the bargain of North America. Truth be known, I would not hesitate for one second to pay $10 for the boys there.

[marc anthony]

RE: The Long and the Short of IT......

 

First let me say that I have been at Taboo with Tampa Yankee, and he is the furthest thing from an obnoxious American throwing his money around. He is a gentleman, and very discreet.

 

Second, I agree that when "when in Rome..." Both Tampa and myself rarely do that. And I think because the locals typically don't do it, one should use restraint.

 

I will say that I do tip the dancers on stage occasionally for specific reasons, and this I have seen locals do as well. Many times, dancers come out after their dance and have an entire room full of customers to chat with. A small tip on the stage is a nice way to help direct attention toward your side of the room. If done tastefully, I have found that it is a nice way to say to a dancer, I am interested... come over here afterward. I should add that I try to get a "courtside" seat so I can do this tastefully and discreetly.

 

Anyway, I agree that the customs and values of Montreal should be observed when we are visitors in that city... but it really has seemed to me that when done tastefully (as I have tried to do it), in Taboo at least, tipping the occasional dancer on the stage has not offended management or dancers. But I stand to be corrected if I have been misreading the vibes.

[Guest Tampa Yankee]

I don't understand the laws in Louisiana either.

 

.... a prisoner of English Common Law:o

[kjun]

Well, what is it you want to know about Louisiana Law?:9

 

the Cajun