The Royal Gazette took to the streets yesterday to poll the public on their views about whether strip shows should be permitted in Bermuda.

Two visiting male strippers engaged in a special Mother's Day show at the nightclub which then led to a mini-riot outside as Police officers descended on the club to rescue two undercover women Police officers who were videotaping the act.

People tended to be unwilling to openly discuss their views on this subject.

Some people were prepared to discuss the question, but did not want their names or photographs to appear in the newspaper.

A few, however, were ready to voice their opinions, give their names and have their photo taken.

Clancy Charles, a 48-year-old insurance executive, said: "I think it is an abomination and shouldn't be allowed.'' A Slovanian member of the crew of the Nordic Empress 29-year-old Marco Rebovz said he thought that Bermuda was a very nice place and that these shows shouldn't be permitted.

Advertising sales representative Lilian Robinson, 49, was happy to provide her views.

"I think it is very demoralising,'' she said. "The body should be covered, and otherwise is only for the spouse to see.'' She said her views were based on biblical scriptures.

Sarah Whitby, a 29-year-old accountant. said: "I wouldn't go to one myself.'' She added that she felt that public shows of this nature should not be allowed.

Of those who did not want to give their names or have their photographs taken most thought that strip shows should not be permitted.

A 39-year-old electrical worker felt that it was not a good idea because "some people don't know how to act at these things''. His opinion was that if there was some kind of control over who was to attend the show or if it took place in a private setting, then it might be all right.

A 23-year-old bank employee said her view was that such shows should only be allowed in a private setting.

"If the show was mature it would be okay,'' added a 39-year-old hotel worker.

"But in Bermuda, the atmosphere, people object to these things. It's too conservative here.'' Another 23-year-old female, who works aboard a glass bottom boat, said: "It depends on the image we want to project.'' She said she did not think it was particularly harmful, but still felt that strip shows should be illegal.