Courtesy of: http://simpleetiquette.blogspot.com/

The first known etiquette book was written in 2400 B.C. by Ptah-hotep. Much of today’s formal etiquette originated in the French royal court of King Louis XIV during the 1600-1700′s, where elaborate social customs were called an etiquette, an old French word meaning ticket/card/placard, upon which the rules were posted. This code of behavior spread to other European courts and eventually was adopted by the upper classes throughout the Western world.

“Nothing is less important than which fork you use.
Etiquette is the science of living. It embraces everything.
It is ethics. It is honor.” -Emily Post

George Washington’s “Rules of Civility” were the first published manners, but the most popular was written by Emily Post in 1922, “Etiquette–In Society, In Business, In Politics, and At Home,” and became a best seller. Amy Vanderbilt later wrote, “Amy Vanderbilt’s Complete Guide To Etiquette,” followed by Letitia Baldrige and Judith Martin’s “Miss Manners Guide To Domestic Tranquillity”,1999. Today, Peggy Post, great-granddaughter of Emily Post, has written “The Etiquette Advantage in Business: Personal Skills for Professional Success”, and dispenses her rules of modern good behavior online.

“I am a journalist in the field of etiquette.
I try to find out what the most genteel people regularly do,
what traditions they have discarded,
what compromises they have made.” – Amy Vanderbilt

The field has expanded beyond society. Today, many big businesses employ etiquette trainers to teach good manners to executives–how to dress and act; how to eat and converse in proper company; how to be more successful in their companies and the business world by writing good business letters. With global society becoming smaller, executives with a background in societal and cultural differences have a much better chance not to offend, and a greater success rate with good etiquette skills. Hundreds of etiquette coaches exist in business today.

There is no excuse for anyone to behave in a less-than civilized manner today, even belly dancers, we time-honored mavericks of society. After all, we are business people too!

The Student

• Student etiquette in the classroom entails arriving on time and leaving class when it ends.
• Not chewing gum in class, being attentive to the instructor, and practicing at home.
• If the student performs with the teacher, saying thanks for opportunities, for costume loans, or makeup tips will be remembered.
• Appreciative students get more personal attention than those who are rude and disrespectful.
• In a workshop, it is good manners to not wear a jingly hip scarf. Many instructors find the sound distracts from the workshop topic.
• Addressing the instructor properly.
• Not dominating the classroom setting and/or discussions (allow others to utilize the mirror).
• Not utilizing phone or other electronics in class.
• Not eating or drinking in class.
• Not talking to other students unless instructed to do so.

The Performer

Many belly dance performance opportunities come from people of other nationalities and cultural morés. It is the sign of a professional performer to learn about those cultures and accommodate them. American traits like getting to the meat of the negotiations immediately can alienate Arab people, who move much more slowly. On the other hand, moving slowly might be misinterpreted as indecision/indifference by an American employer. Being punctual, ready to perform and cheerfully willing to let the boss be the boss will help guarantee a return engagement. Tipping protocol should be clearly understood between dancer and employer. During the show, it is rude to play finger cymbals during a live drum solo. If one dancer happens to feel glass beads under her feet, it would definitely be courteous to ask someone to sweep the floor before the next act.

“Every one of us is an artist, and as an artist, you really can stroll into any venue that you want, as long as you take your time to learn the etiquette of that venue.” – Terrence Howard

The Teacher

Teachers too must use good etiquette. Starting and ending classes on time is an appreciated courtesy. Saying thank you for a good class, or for being good students will ensure return business. Keeping your word is also taken note of, for example, bringing in a CD with the choreography music on it so students can practice. Showing obvious favoritism is not thoughtful of others. If unable to make a class, contacting each student is merely common courtesy, or providing a substitute teacher.

“The high point of civilization is that you can hate me and I can hate you
but we develop an etiquette that allows us to deal with each other
because if we acted solely upon our impulse we’d probably go to war.”
Stanley Crouch

Whether you believe etiquette is important or not, there is a good chances it is important to others, and they will feel the slight if you neglect to act like Egyptian or French royalty and follow the rules of gracious behavior. Why take the chance of offending someone who may not mention it, but will remember?

“The world was my oyster, but I used the wrong fork.” Oscar Wilde