What do you call a stripper who spends all of her earnings on costumes? A burlesque dancer.

So I posted on my Facebook page that the difference between a stripper and a burlesque performer is enormous, but that would entirely depend on the performer.  It seems in the last year or so the lines have blurred SO much that it's becoming homogenized. In the past, "strippers" take tips, and burly girls don't.  But in the last few years, allowing the audience to tip you seems to becoming more of a norm (Cin City doesn't take tips, in case you're wondering). Until recently, the raunchier movements were left to the girls working the midnight shift on the pole...but alas, even that seems to be making its way into the burly world.  It's not terribly unusual anymore to see splays directly toward the audience, or for a performer to simulate a sex act on stage (none for us, thanks!).  Until VERY recently, I would say that burlesque dancers tended to perform more for a female audience, and leave the men to the tip rails at the strip club.  But again, this seems to be changing.  It seems that some of the wit, intelligence, and "thoughtfulness" tend to be waning.  What I can still put my finger on that speaks directly and distinctly to burlesque is this:  The performers are more varied in shape, size and age, and they are generally making way less money (costuming and props are EXPENSIVE).  Other than that, their becoming enmeshed. Don't get me wrong - I find nothing wrong with "strippers" in the least.  But the once distinct gap between the two is narrowing.

G