Pip, the point I've been trying to make is that the dots don't convey the correct time value, if you treat them strictly as meaning 1 1/2 times the value of the preceding note. Writing them undotted is equally incorrect (but quicker to write).

The correct value lies somewhere in between, although what is "correct" by no means fixed. The only way to understand this is to listen to other musicians.

I'm not saying the notation has no value, just that it does not fully convey the feel of the music, whether dotted or not. To get the feel you have to listen. Once you get that feel for the music you can apply your own judgement on how much "dot" to give it. But the notation won't tell you.