Originally Posted by
chirine ba kal
Salutes are sometimes formal gestures, like the fist to chest of soldiers, but are usually less elaborate. Anything from a nod of the head between equals, to a deep bow and even kneeling before an Imperial Prince or Princess, or a polite bow between different people. The Vimuhla gesture is usually shared between Vimuhla people, as is the Sarku gesture of the Five-Headed Worm. You will also see the 'fingers to one's own lips, then to the other person's lips' but that is very much a lovers' or spouses' gesture. I'll have a look and see what others there are - it's been a while.
Usually, it's verbal, with the most formal greeting being the first one of the day upon meeting someone, and then a 'sir', title, or polite phrase showing respect afterwards. For example, Si N'te is usually addressed as 'Mistress', a polite translation of the Tsolyani word; a little more formal will be 'Lady', short for 'Lady of the House', her formal title as head of the household. (I am not 'Lord of the House'; that's a title and position reserved for the lady of the house, usually the senior wife.) If it's a formal occasion, it's 'Lady' as in 'Your Ladyship', and a temple occasion as 'First Dancer', which is her title and rank in the Temple of Mretten.
I am usually addressed as 'Sir', as most of the time I'm in military situations, and 'Lord' the rest of the time if people need to be formal. At home, it's 'Husband', which may be the title I'm proudest of. Also a family title is 'Poppa', from the kids, as in "Poppa, can I have the palanquin tonight?" If it's a formal temple occasion, then 'Master of the Energies' can be used. If I'm being official when at home, then I might use Their Ladyship's formal titles, as in, "Senior Wife, would you please ask the twins not to practice their sorcery indoors?" Going the other way, the Glorious General would normally address me as 'Kasi', my rank in his legion; I would salute him, and address him by 'my General'. On the other hand, if I was acting in the capacity of an Imperial official that ranked him, he would salute me and use 'Lord'. It can lead to moments where I would give the General an order as a Imperial official, he'd salute, and then he would turn around and give me the same order back again in my 'persona' as his staff Kasi and I'd salute him.
Social inferiors are always treated with respect. (As are superiors, obviously!) One does not make rude remarks to them, as that would show that one is ignoble. I address the household by their first names, when we are 'at home' in the family wing of the house, and by a more formal title like 'Chief Assassin' or 'Mistress' for the Ladies-In-Waiting.
It all depends on the social situation at the moment, and knowing what to say when to whom is a very important part of one's education. In general, be polite and respectful, and you'll do fine. The words show in very accurate manner what the social relationships are, and are how society functions.
Is this helping, at all?
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