I recently graduated from the University of Minnesota, fresh into the business world with degree in Economics. One of the draws to this particular degree for me was that economics can be used in a large number of jobs ranging from finance, to analysis, to warehouse management and a myriad of other positions. Unfortunately, I found that it did squat to help me find a sustainable career in this economy. After several weeks outside of school and getting more and more desperate for work during this recession, I fell back on a particularly strange job offer I got through a friend of a friend: a professional dominatrix. Or rather, a dominatrix’s assistant until I’ve learned the tools (whips, clamps, floggers) of the trade and how to act with authority, power and grace. I know what many of you are probably thinking right now that I’m now a drug addled prostitute or broken woman, but the truth of the matter is that it’s quite the opposite. A regular middle class man and his wife own the studio where I work with clients. Each is screened for their desires and intent without provocation or judgment and the studio is clean and professionally maintained to prevent accidents or diseases. Prostitution and actual sex acts are strictly forbidden (and are grounds for immediate termination). Both client and dominatrix is treated with respect and dignity in an environment that is both legal and monitored for safety. Wow, what happened? My feminist side is telling me that I should feel outraged by placing myself in this position and my intellectual side is disappointed that I can’t find anything else more mentally challenging. On the other hand… I actually enjoy this job. Instead of going into the silent conformity of mainstream work, I thrust myself into a world where honesty and sincerity to others and to oneself are seen as highly desirable traits. This was not at all what I expected! In this line of work, you meet a variety of well-educated, intelligent, sane and thoughtful individuals who want nothing more than to have their backs whipped by an attractive woman in leather. Frankly, I’ve heard of worse. As much as I am hesitant towards accepting more and more clients, the position pays $70 dollars an hour and will rise to $160 an hour when I become a full fledged dominatrix and not a mere assistant. Not bad!
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Honestly, what does all of this say about our business environment? This educated and assertive woman is afforded better opportunities and respect in a safe environment when she has a whip in her hands. With the state of the economy and the election of Obama, people are rethinking the rules of proper business conduct. What does it say about our methods of business when an hourly rate like mine is typically enjoyed by a select few executives, certainly not an incoming trainee? Not to mention the fact that executives are more than likely got to their position without much honesty and integrity. Why is it that a fetish often painted in surreal or negative terms has higher working standards then a positively accepted job like an office worker? Why the difference? The answer I believe is respect. Clients pay me for my presence and for my attention. They know that they must show me respect or I can end the session and have them removed from the studio. As a dominatrix’s assistant, I am still working for someone, but the working environment is still many times better than its corporate counterpart. Granted, there is a notion of supply and demand built into my position (there are few dominatrices so they must be paid and treated well), but doesn’t any worker, whether they tie people up or enter accounting data still deserve the same level of human dignity? Isn’t that what the labor movement was about? When did workers become cogs in the machine, and why do we let others get away with treating us like that?  Are we forever doomed to repeat our mistakes with Enron, WorldCom, and Wall Street for not placing the proper emphasis on being honest? Truth be told, I have an extremely high amount of job satisfaction. I recieve positive results from my actions, and am praised for the work I do. Part of me is reluctant to even look back into the corporate settings where my degree would be useful. And why should I? Careers are more than the sum of your knowledge, and here at least I’m afforded many times more the dignity I would receive working in a colorless cube all day. Take it from a dominatrix’s assistant: the odd really isn’t that bad, and the normal isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
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