Turkish, and Greek belly dance today may have been influenced by Arabs before the Ottoman Empire as much as by the Egyptian and Syrian/Lebanese forms.

There are not the legal or cultural restriction of the dancer in Turkish style of dance as there is in Egypt.  Where dancers have to cover their midriffs and are forbidden to do floor work and certain pelvic movemnts in Egyptian style these restrictions do not apply to the Turkish dancer, because of this there are definite differences in style between these two forms.

Where Egyptian bellydance is noted for its restraint, elegance and balletic movements,  Turkish bellydance is playful and uninhibited. Turkish belly dance costumes are very revealing.  Turkish dancers are also known for dancing with finger cymbals or Zils and often would not consider an accomplished dancer if they cannot play them this is derived predominatly due to the gypsy heritage.