I've heard this particular rumor in a different light. My first instructor demonstrated a shoulder shimmy with "pretty belly dance arms" (arms out, palms down, chest lifted) and a slumpy shoulder shimmy with the palms straight toward the audience. It does make a big difference in appearance. Palms out is said to be a fav of strippers, because it unconsciously makes you seem more open and it looks a bit more "come and get me." I think it can often look trashy, so I tell my students to avoid it, but really that seems more like a western thing to me. And that's only referring to splayed hands straight out at the audience, not any sly glimpse of the palm. I do stress pointing the toes for both reasons of offense and because it looks lots prettier.

i know, i loved her ^_^ i was amazed at how she was so small but seemed so big with her presence. i don't remember either of the choreographies but i will never forget the weekend ^_^ (u know, baring amnesia ::knock on wood:: ^_~)