Respect The Art. Respect Yourself.

I have been belly dancing for over 10 years. In the course of the 10+ years, I was always taught - by every single one of my teachers - about proper belly dance etiquette. Unfortunately, I am noticing a trend that both angers me and makes sad at the same time. 
To me, belly dance is a respected art form. While there are already negative stearotypes surrounding the art of belly dance, I have always (as have other dancers) made every effort to make sure that belly dance gets the respect it deserves. And it starts with covering up!
What am I talking about? My teachers *always* enforced upon me the need to be covered BEFORE and AFTER a performance. Essentially, you wear a caftan or some other type of cover up (not a veil!) while you are waiting to go on stage and  after your performance. Why is this important? For starters, it leaves a bit of mystery behind who you are.  Second, it helps to elevate the dance by not making your costume "street wear." Last, its shows respect not only for yourself as a dancer, but also for the art itself. What makes it hard for me to swallow these days, and partially why I have stopped being involved with dance communities, is the fact that dancers - newbies and pro alike-- never seem to cover up anymore. To add to that, after a performance, they are often seen walking around in their costumes while drinking alcohol or smoking. That to me alone degrades the art.  Back in my day--it was a serious faux pas to get off stage and start ordering beers from the bar. If you dont want to cover up after your performance-bring street clothes and get changed in the bathroom. Dont walk around in your costume. The beauty and mystery of bellydance is gone when that happens. Show respect for the art.
Furthermore, I have noticed  a complete lack of education amongst dancers now that is disheartening. They treat belly dance as a "thing" rather than an actual art form. I have met dancers who have been dancing for 5+ years and still do not know Middle Eastern rhythms or can even name a Middle Eastern instrument! To add to that, they do not even know about the history or the culture in which belly dance was "born." Isn't important to learn about the culture and history of dance you are essentially appropriating?  Is this a teacher issue? Maybe. But one  thing I have noticed as the new "generation" of belly dancers arise - there is a very large amount of "I know everything." Maybe its a millennial thing-- I don't know.  But time and time again I have heard students of other teachers brag about xyz and yet still no nothing about the dance they are performing to.
Its sad.
Why?
It puts all the hard work and education that dancers before us have put into elevating belly dance into an art. The lack of respect that is blossoming in dance communities is growing. Belly dance has become this "thing" that one brags about. The idea of performing, walking of stage in your costume, and sitting at bar shows that the world of belly dance has taken 5 steps back and not forward. What does the future hold? I have no idea, but I am doing my best to educate my students not only etiquette, but also on culture, history and music of the Middle East. I can only hope that that gets passed on for the future.