Classroom & Hafla Etiquette
Sometimes, our enthusiasm can cause us to forget that there are others just as enthusiastic as we are. Here are a few suggestions to make everyone’s classroom and hafla experience more enjoyable.
Classroom/Workshop Etiquette
• BE ON TIME. It’s disruptive to the rest of the class when others arrive late.
• If arriving late to a class, please be aware that it is not polite to stand in front of other students who were there first. Late arrivals should move to the rear of the class.
• Please turn off your cell phone.
• When arriving at a workshop, it’s ok to “mark” your place on the floor with your bag or hip scarf, but if class starts and you haven’t returned to that spot, know that the spot is now forfeit.
• Please do not leave your things in the middle of the floor once class begins; this can cause someone to trip on them.
• Please refrain from talking over the instructor when other students are trying to hear.
• Please do not try to instruct other students; that is the job of the instructor.
• If you have questions, ask! But don’t just shout them out while the instructor is talking.
• Respect others’ views and opinions. There is rarely ever a single right answer. Agree to disagree.
• Never criticize someone in the class, or the instructor, in front of the class. If you have an issue, discuss it with them privately.
• Be aware of the rest of your classmates, and try not to invade their space. This is particularly important in a smaller classroom, where space is limited.
• Be aware of the mirrors, and that the people behind you are also trying to see. Try to position yourself so you aren’t blocking the mirror.
• If your hipscarf (or other accessory) is shedding coins or beads, please remove it (and the fallen beads from the floor!) promptly. The falling beads are painful for others to step on, and may even cause injury.
• No matter where the class or workshop is being conducted, please be considerate of others who are in the building. There may be other classes going on, and walking around talking loudly or wearing that lovely (noisy!) hipscarf is disruptive.
• If the weather is messy, please do not track mud/rain/snow onto the classroom floor.
Hafla Etiquette
For the Performers
• COME EARLY. Showing up last-minute can throw off the scheduled line-up, so plan to be there no less than 30 minutes before the start of the hafla.
• If you can’t come at all, notify the organizer as soon as possible, so she can adjust the line-up accordingly.
• If the organizer has requested songs be no more than a certain length, abide by that request.
• Bring a CD that has only one song on it, labeled clearly with your name, so that no one has to search out the correct song.
• Test the CD before you come to make sure it plays, and bring a backup CD, just in case!
• If you didn’t arrive in costume, be mindful and share the place alloted for changing.
• Arrive with your makeup done; too many others will need their time in front of a mirror, as well, so come only needed to touch-up if you have to.
• Cover your costume with a veil or caftan before and after your performance. This will preserve the mystery of your costume until the performance, and put the spotlight on other dancers while they are performing.
For the Audience
• Please don’t get up to dance with the performer unless you are invited to, by them.
• Even if you’ve only come to see one dancer perform, you’re invited to watch the entire show. All dancers like to be appreciated for their efforts.
• Enjoy yourself! Audience participation with rhythmic clapping is encouraged.
• Whether you enjoyed a dancer’s performance or not, applaud with everyone else. Anything else is mean-spirited and uncalled for.
• This may sound like a silly point, but if the dancer discards her veil/zills/cane/etc. on your table, be sure she gets those items back when she’s finished with her performance.
General Suggestions
• Please remember that belly dance, even in America, is a part of a vastly different culture than most of us are used to. Be respectful of that difference, and know that by being respectful of their culture will have most Middle Easterners respectful of you as well.
• It’s acceptable to tip dancers, but please do so in a way that is not lewd/invasive. Tuck the tip into the back band of a bra strap, or at the side of a hip belt. Some dancers (or some venues) may not accept tips; don’t chase the dancer to tip her.
This is a work-in-progress. If you have suggestions for things to add,
please email the Webmistress. Thank you!
