Pssst, a looter is not a thief, always. Most looters actually don't even have (had) stealing in their template...la
I am quite sure you have that right.
I would up the anti and say the over whelming number of corpses "Looted" were not done by thieves.
Thieves NOT defined by a set of skills and numbers, rather Thieves as defined by a "Play Style", "Mind Set" etc.
Yet, when the "Looters" behaved in a manner best described as Griefing and for "some" thieves, part of the entertainment value was the "Taunting", then by association of action, the Thieves become linked to the greater number of "Looters".
Some one NOT finding entertainment value in being "Looted" OR "Stolen From" is not going to invest any time in making a distinction. They will simply say "Greifing is Griefing".
Is it relevant that the Trammel population "MAY" have more griefers (that are not Feluccans in Trammel Clothing), not really as their form is within the Culture Limits as defined by Trammel. They will see it as NOT being the same and essentially put you on ignore.
One could characterize the interaction of Players like this.
If you are in Felucca and interact with People within the Culture Limits of Felucca then most things will be accepted (do NOT interpret as liked).
If you are in Trammel and interact with People within the Culture Limits of Trammel, then most things will be accepted (do NOT interpret as liked).
In short,
When in Felucca be a Feluccan.
When in Trammel be a Trammelian.
Anything else just plain and simple is Culture Wars (AKA Play Style vs Play Style).