Some Basic terms

 

 

The following is a collection of points of etiquette which are common to Gor. Everyone, free and slave will benefit from this paper.

 

Tal: Tal is a common Gorean greeting. It is often accompanied with the right hand raised to shoulder level, palm inward, facing the body. This signifies that the person being greeted is not considered an enemy. The gesture shows that the hand is devoid of any weapon. As slaves are not permitted weapons, then this salute would be ludicrous. As slaves must also respect all free persons, they cannot consider any to be their enemy. Thus the salute might even be considered an insult to a free person. Slaves may use the word "Tal" as a greeting but they would not accompany it with the hand gesture. There are examples in the books of slaves using the word "Tal" as a form of greeting.

 

Hail: This is a form of greeting reserved for experts and champions at some matter. An expert swordsman or kaissa player would be greeted in this manner. No slave would ever be greeted in this manner. Slaves may also use this term when referring to a qualified free person. A Ubar qualifies for this form of greeting.

 

I Wish You Well: This is the common Gorean phrase of "goodbye". It may be used by free persons or slaves.

 

Safe Paths: This is the common Gorean phrase of "farewell". It may be used by both free and slaves.

 

I Ask Your Favor: This is the common Gorean phrase for "please." It may also be used by free persons or slaves.

 

Thank You: There is no special Gorean term or phrase to thank another person. Slaves may be thanked or not, depending on the will of the free person. Many slaves are especially fearful of any master who shows them such kindness.

 

Slaves Addressing Free People: All slaves must address free persons as Master or Mistress. They will only address their own Master as "My" Master or Mistress. Slaves are not permitted to address any free person by their name. The privilege of using a master's name is reserved for the free woman, in particular the Free Companion. It is said that a slave girl grows bold if her lips are allowed to touch the name of her master. But, some masters prefer to hear their name said by a slave. This is commonly permitted only in private, out of the presence of free women. A slave may tell others the name of her master for explanation purposes only, such as to identify her owner.

 

Ubar: Ubar is an official title. Slaves addressing a Ubar should refer to him as "Ubar" or "Master" but should not combine the two. "Master Ubar" is not a valid address. A free person's title is always considered respectful for a slave. An "Administrator" or "Regent" would be addressed as such by a slave. Most free persons should also address an Ubar by his title, and not by his name. If you have been given specific permission from the Ubar, you may then call him by his name.

 

Ubara: Ubara is an official title. Slaves addressing the Ubara should refer to her as "Ubara" or "Mistress" but she should not combine the two. "Mistress Ubara" is not valid