If Emily Post had learned to belly dance

I've realized that over the years I've accumulated a great deal of belly dance knowledge and etiquette. Maybe it's a sign of me growing older, but I'm often disappointed or even worse, shocked at some dancer's behavior in and about town. I consider myself the Switzerland of the local belly dance scene. I get along with most everyone, I can be invited to almost any event, and I don't start any wars!

So, in the spirit of neutrality and with the hopes of providing some nuggets of information or resources to newer dancers, I've decided to start my own, "Dear Najla" column. I posted recently some tips about attending a workshop but now I'm the process of working on several posts about dancing at events, getting invitations to perform and being a gracious guest or dancer. Don't even get me started about costuming issues either...we could spend sooo much time talking about how regular bras are not dance bras. (I'll save that one for later).

For you the reader, I hope you enjoy. If you have any topics or suggestions you'd like me to take a stab at or have pet peeves you'd like addressed, leave me a comment. But be nice, be gracious...be like Switzerland.