Jan
Egyptians, what is your view on women who belly dance as a profession in Egypt? What do you think when you watch a dancer? Good or bad thoughts?
Answer:
Envy,I wish I had some more to shake and shimmy with.
My sisters in law have been teaching me to dance in the traditional Egyptian way which is similar but different to belly dancing. Belly dancing as we know it originated in Turkey and only became popular in Egypt during WWII when there were a lot of allied troops here.
Its popularity was made more so by the introduction of belly dancing into Hollywood movies of the 50's. The costume has changed considerably.
The original Egyptian dancing girls of the early 1900's wore voluminous harem pants and a tight fitting bolero style jacket that was heavily embroidered with gold.
Of course it was seen as little better than prostitution up until about 30 years ago when belly dancers became popular entertainment for business men and tourists with the better dancers commanding high fees.
Eat you heart out girls this guy can move it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6autbeh_t…
Answer:
goodthoughts,hotthoughts,wildthoughts
Answer:
neither good nor bad.
i am sorry for them.
i ask myself ,what makes a pretty woman like this take belly dancing as a profession?
it is interesting to know that when the Soviet Union was divided into several states , the scientists were bought by rich countries like the US to develop science there.
we imported pretty girls that took belly dancing as their profession.
we are obsessed with satisfying our senses rather than developing our science !
Answer:
Belly dancing as a profession will never earn respect in society by many in Egypt. I know personally the daughter of a famous belly dancer was being bullied by her class mates because of her mothers profession.
Belly dancing now became a really popular keep fit session in the gyms that have a high ex-pat population in Egypt, women that don't know or care for the social stigma really enjoy it, not only does it make them fitter but also more sensual feeling for home life.
Its also a way for people to earn money by teaching it in private classes and in gym session- its well paid and well sought after because the group that require it have the money and the time to spend on it as a hobby.
it is also popular for belly dancing groups to go and visit Egypt because they get to practice and also the outfits are much cheaper and better styles to take from Egypt than buy off EBay.
Belly dancing is not something that I personally respect in public, in the privacy of a married couples home that is another issue and the lucky husband of a belly dancer because it is artistic as well as other things.
Answer:
in egypt, it's not looked up upon.
it's really aggravating, because we "made" bellydancing, but we cannot even dance it as a profession, EVEN thought in other countries many people bellydance for money.
even men, the first bellydancers were men, now you rarely see a man bellydancing [except in 7aflat etc.]
Answer:
i noticed that these women are not respected in society, however single ppl can be respected as the belly dancer itself if she shows real talent in this matter.
i personaly wish to have ability to dance like them. at home 
Answer:
I have no particular view but have individual opinions on some belly dancers..i do think when i watch a belly dancers two things:
1. How good can she dance?
2. How Hot she is?
those are my thoughts are they considered good or bad?!
Answer:
Absolutely forbidden in Islam as a profession….there is no dispute about this among scholars….therefore of course I wouldnt watch.