" 

 == understand distinctions == 

 ""stripper pole"" denotes stripping, the removal of clothing, especially what goes on in strip clubs.  the fact is that there has begun a divergence between this and pure pole dance.  to call it a ""stripper pole"" fails to recognise this.  maybe i'm biased, as i began taking a pole dance class several months ago on a lark, have made greater progress than i would ever have expected, and would make a pretty lame stripper, but it bugs me to see people using such a term that doesn't strike me as being altogether accurate or precise.  the instructor for my class likes to call it verticle ballet (she has a degree in dance) - no one calls ballerinas strippers.  you wouldn't refer to someone from puerto rico as ""that mexican guy.""  it's a similar deal - just be aware of what you are really saying.  "