Ronette's latest article,
"Etiquette Talk with Gia al Qamar," has some interesting points on etiquette & why it's important for dancers to conduct themselves well.
I bellydance & teach mini lessons at a local Renaissance Faire & it's funny to see how different people react. I get little kids as young as 2 coming up and swaying with me. I also get some older folks who aren't used to moving their bodies at all, let alone moving it in a new way. It really is wonderful to bring this artform to those that have been curious about it.
I also notice those that look at me / us strangely for moving the way we do. I don't always dance with a bare belly. I sometimes keep covered & don't always wear jingles. For me, it's about the movement & the drum beat. Yet, there seem to be those that have the specific vision of the "belly dancing" showgirl / stripper as their thought of what a belly dancer is / should be.
It is up to us to give bellydance a good name, whatever form of the dance we do.