The first time I "forced" myself, it was lunch time and the strip club came recommended as the best place in the DC-area neighborhood I was visiting to get a good steak.

The ladies who dance at lunch on the weekdays are the most gorgeous, but they are courteous and friendly. They will come over and say "Hello," and ask me how I'm doing.

I told some of them that I liked their dancing, or enjoyed their choice of music, which was true.

And I told them I was OK, I didn't need anything. That was fine, too.

It was a good steak.

In retrospect, I might have talked with them for a bit more. I could have asked them what their customers tell them they like about their bodies, or their dancing. I might have mentioned what I liked. If I had kept the '4 Legit Reasons' in mind, I could have gotten more out of the experience.

Nonetheless, for me is was really just about proving to myself that I could be comfortable and feel like I belonged.

OTOH, I was by myself that time. When I went with my girlfriend as a member of a group, it was a much better experience.