Quoting alameda:

The term Belly Dance was it seems, invented by the French, who called it La danse du ventre. In Egypt is was called Raqs Sharqi or Baladi dance. It can or can not be art...then what is Art?

Traditionally "good girls" did not do it in public. In fact in most Middle Eastern societies it is tantamount to being a prostitute or very close to it.

That in fact was how classic ballet was looked at in the early part of the 20th century. The famous Pavlova's husband would not marry her because she was "a ballerina" Later when he went bankrupt and she went on a world tour to repair his finances, he wanted to marry her. She did marry him, but told him not to tell anyone as it would ruin her reputation.

Quoting Badiabdancer74:

You guys are really uneducated about bellydance. some of the Turkish dancers I saw in Istanbul were pretty sleazy, except Birgul. I can see where you might draw a parallel if you see some of them to striptease. I have studied in Egypt, where the best Oriental dancers are and a little in Turkey, I take this dance very seriously. There are morons who call themselves bellydancer dance like a hoochie mama and call it bellydance.Yeah, that's not Oriental dance. Bellydancing IS NOT STRIPTEASE in the U.S. Oriental dancers are usually women of good moral character and education who also study the dance. Strippers are usually very young girls, who do it for the money.

Quoting alameda:

The term Belly Dance was it seems, invented by the French, who called it La danse du ventre. In Egypt is was called Raqs Sharqi or Baladi dance. It can or can not be art...then what is Art?

Traditionally "good girls" did not do it in public. In fact in most Middle Eastern societies it is tantamount to being a prostitute or very close to it.

That in fact was how classic ballet was looked at in the early part of the 20th century. The famous Pavlova's husband would not marry her because she was "a ballerina" Later when he went bankrupt and she went on a world tour to repair his finances, he wanted to marry her. She did marry him, but told him not to tell anyone as it would ruin her reputation.

Quoting SuiGeneris:

did you think they were discussing about belly dancing seriously...

the thing they were talking about is about those COMMENTS that you get... yeah there are some critics... but the general about...

hey sexy
let me play and you dance...bla bla...

this is what they are talking about

and also... you have lack of light on your videos...

Quoting femme_fatal:

sex sex sex

Quoting Vorhon:

And especially in egypt there are man bely dancers.
There is a few man belly dancer in turkey too.

Quoting elham:

men dance is not any attraction but particularly for women contents of the attraction

Quoting Badiabdancer74:

Now there is some good information! I have videos on youtube you may or may not like. Egyptian style and Turkish style. search Badia in you are interested. I agree whoever said 'bellydance is not an erotic activity' THANK YOU! You don't have to be skinny to do it, like they are in Turkey. In fact in Egypt they tend to be a little larger, with ample hips and buttocks.