RULE 7: “GREETINGS” IS A CASUAL GREETING USED BY FREE PERSONS WHO ARE FRIENDS, WHEN ADDRESSING EACH OTHER

The other two occasions when “Greetings” is used in Assassin, Chapter 17, p.224; and Chapter 24, p.408, both confirm Rules 5 and 6.

The example at Chapter 17, p.224 also shows us the limits of Norman’s Gorean Keigo. In this scene we see roles reversed, as a slave girl plays at being a mistress and treats Tarl as her slave. The “Greetings” she would normally use would of course be slave to free (Rule 6), a Sonkeigo expression, but here she presumably uses “Greetings” as free to slave (Rule 5), as a Kenjougo expression, since roles are reversed for the Gorean holiday of Kajuralia. If there were two different Gorean words for these two “Greetings,” we would see very clearly Gorean Keigo in action, because the slave girl here would be using a different word for “Greetings” than that normally used by a slave to the free person. Alas. Norman has no clearly articulated Keigo system operating in his world of Gor, and so the “Greetings” of the slave to the free appears to be identical to the “Greetings” of the free to the slave.

In Book 6, Raiders of Gor, there are 8 examples of “Greetings” on 5 occasions. All of them confirm one of the 7 rules of Gorean Keigo already outlined, as follows:

Chapter 9, p.112 (Rule 6); Chapter 11, p.153 (Rules 3 and 4 - here Tarl appears to be using “Greetings” as a mark of respect from inferior to superior in status, and Samos responds as superior in rank to inferior in rank); Chapter 15, p.232 (Rule 5 - here Tarl speaks to Lady Vivina. She is a captive and already collared as a slave); Chapter 17, p.260 (Rules 3 and 4 - here Tarl addresses his oar-master with “Greetings,” and the oar-master responds with “Greetings.” Once again, this use of “Greetings” appears to be a mark of superior addressing inferior and vice versa); and finally Chapter 18, p.302 (also Rules 3 and 4).

In Book 7, Captive of Gor, there are only 2 instances of “Greetings” on 2 occasions:

The first shows us Elinor confronting the captured panther girl, Verna, who is in a cage:

“‘Greetings, Verna,’ said I, boldly.
She was no longer manacled, but she was, I noted, securely confined in the cage.”
-- Book 7, Captive of Gor, Chapter 12, p. 221.

Here Elinor confronts the captured panther girl, and uses the inferior form of address, “Greetings,” to mark the status of Verna as captive and soon to be slave. In this case, although Elinor is not the actual captor of Verna, and even though Elinor is herself a slave, Elinor appears to speak to Verna as if Elinor is her captor.

We should note that here Norman tells us that Elinor is speaking “boldly” when she uses the term “Greetings” to Verna. This is another good example of where Norman’s lack of Gorean Keigo leaves us confused. This could be a new rule of Gorean Keigo: that a slave shall address another slave with “Greetings” (a new Teineigo greeting), or it could be a use of Rule 3 (a Kenjougo greeting) - that “Greetings” is used by free persons of superior status when addressing free persons of inferior status, with Elinor here “boldly” speaking as if she were Verna’s free superior. If Norman had more than the two words Tal and “Greetings,” we might be better able to work this out.

Norman’s suggestion that Elinor is being daring when she addresses Verna with “Greetings” suggests two new Rules. These new rules are variations on Rule 3 and 4. Rules 3 and 4 deal with how to greet someone superior or inferior in rank or status; Rules 5 and 6 deal with how to greet someone superior or inferior in class.

These two new rules address how to greet someone superior or inferior in condition. The condition here is a common condition in the Gor series: that of captor and captive, and these two new Rules are confirmed many times in later books. The first is a Kenjougo expression (a greeting to an inferior). The second is a Sonkeigo expression (a greeting to a superior):

RULE 8: “GREETINGS” IS A GREETING USED BY CAPTORS, WHEN ADDRESSING THEIR PRISONERS

And:

RULE 9: “GREETINGS” IS A GREETING USED BY PRISONERS, WHEN ADDRESSING THEIR CAPTORS

(Rule 9 will be seen in Beasts of Gor, Chapter 33, p.380).

The other occurrence of “Greetings” in Captive comes in Chapter 13, p.245:

“’Greetings, Ute,’ said I, smiling.
‘Tal, El-in-or,’ smiled Ute, looking up from her work. She was trying, with a pointed stick, to round a pit in a new board for a new fire drill. Usually, in our night journeys, we carried with us only the precious binding fiber. Accordingly, Ute often constructed a new drill.”
-- Book 7, Captive of Gor, Chapter 13, p.245.

Elinor’s “Greetings” to Ute could be a Rule 7 Teineigo greeting (friends). On the other hand, Elinor’s use of “Greetings” suggests a new Teineigo rule: that “Greetings” is a greeting used by slaves when addressing each other. Again, since Norman has not developed an extensive vocabulary for saying Hello, we can not know for sure which Rule is being followed here. On the other hand, the use of “Greetings” by slaves when saying Hello to each other is supported by many examples in the series, and therefore a new Gorean Teineigo Keigo rule is appropriate:

RULE 10: “GREETINGS” IS A GREETING USED BY SLAVES WHEN ADDRESSING EACH OTHER

In the above quote, Ute’s response to Elinor with Tal, is an exception to the rules of Gorean Keigo, and will be dealt with later in this discussion (See Part III - BREAKING THE RULES OF GOREAN KEIGO).

In Book 8, Hunters of Gor, “Greetings” appears 14 times on 9 occasions. These uses are as follows: Chapter 4, p.62 (Rule 4); Chapter 5, p.70-71 (Rule 5); Chapter 6, p.77 (Rule 5); and Chapter 6, p.100 (Rule 5).

Later in this book, when Tarl is captured by the panther girls, he is himself addressed as a slave/inferior by them, with the term “Greetings” - in other words, Rule 5 is used against him:

“With the blade of her spear she turned my head so that I must again face her.
‘Greetings, Slave,’ she said.
I did not speak to her.”
-- Book 8, Hunters of Gor Chapter 9, p.128.

It is standard strategy in any Keigo system that language can be used not only to recognize the presence of a superior (i.e., what is), but also as a weapon to express contempt or to confer pending inferior status on an equal, or even on a superior (i.e., what will be). When Sonkeigo is called for, one can deliberately insult by using a Kenjougo greeting.

At the end of that same chapter, Marlenus arrives and captures the panther girls, announcing himself to them with the inevitable superior to inferior/free to slave “Greetings”:

“The girls suddenly looked about themselves, startled. They were seized from behind by the strong hands of men. They screamed. I saw Verna’s arms, too, pinned behind her. I recognized the men, in hunter’s cap, who held her.
‘Greetings,’ said Marlenus of Ar.”
-- Book 8, Hunters of Gor, Chapter 9, p.139.

The panther girls are about to become slaves. Marlenus’ address is thus the address of the free class to the slave class (Rule 5).

Later, in Chapter 11, p.158, Hura, the panther girl, greets Marlenus:

“A dark-haired, tall girl strode forward.
‘Greetings, Hura,’ said Marlenus.
‘Greetings, Ubar,’ said the woman. I saw that Mira stood behind her. Mira was much pleased.”
-- Book 8, Hunters of Gor, Chapter 11, p.158.

Clearly this is a superior greeting an inferior, and an inferior greeting a superior (Ubar). Even though free (she is in the hire of Marlenus), Hura nevertheless acknowledges the superior status of the Ubar by responding to his Rule 3 Kenjougo greeting with a Rule 4 Sonkeigo greeting. Rule 4 is the rule that Scormus of Ar failed to follow in Assassin of Gor, Chapter 20, p.322, when he greeted Ubar Cernus with Tal instead of with “Greetings.”

Next, in Hunters, Chapter 20, p.283, Sarus and Tarl exchange greetings:

“I felt my tunic thick with blood at my left side. There was blood from a cut on my left arm. I could feel it running to my wrist.
At the line of the men of Tyros the torches were lifted.
‘Greetings, Bosk of Port Kar,’ said Sarus.
‘Greetings,’ said I, ‘Sarus of the island of Tyros.’
‘We have searched for you,’ he said.
‘I am here,’ I informed him.”
-- Book 8, Hunters of Gor, Chapter 20, p.283.

This is another good example of a scene where, if we had been provided with a full set of Gorean Keigo rules, the dynamics of this exchange would be clearer. Is Sarus greeting Tarl using the Kenjougo superior-to-inferior expression (Rule 3), or is this the Kenjougo captor-captive greeting (Rule 8)? Is Tarl returning the rule (Rule 3) as a Kenjougo challenge, or is he recognizing his now prisoner status by responding with a Sonkeigo greeting (Rule 9)? Or are both men making an ironic use of the Teineigo friend-to-friend greeting (Rule 7)? Without a more clearly articulated Gorean Keigo, we will, alas, never know. My interpretation of this exchange, however, is that it is likely a mocking use of the Teineigo Rule 7 greeting: the greeting of friends, ironically used by enemies to greet each other.

Finally in Chapter 22, p.296, we see the following exchange between Tarl and Marlenus:

“‘Greetings, Bosk of Port Kar,‘ said Marlenus of Ar.
He stood before me, his men behind him. He wore the yellow of Tyros, and, about his shoulders, a cloak, formed of panther skins. About his throat was a tangle of leather and claws, taken from panther women, with which he had adorned himself. His head was bare.
‘Greetings, Marlenus,’ said I, ‘Ubar of Ar.’”
-- Book 8, Hunters of Gor, Chapter 22, p.296.

Again, Marlenus appears here to be using the Kenjougo superior-greeting-inferior use of “Greetings” (Rule 3) to greet Tarl, while Tarl, in replying with his own “Greetings,” appears to be recognizing the superior status of Marlenus, with a Sonkeigo response (Rule 4).

In Book 9, Marauders of Gor, “Greetings” appears 5 times on 3 occasions, demonstrating the rules laid out so far for a Gorean Keigo as follows: Chapter 1, p.18 (Rules 3 and 4); Chapter 3, p.50 (Rule 3); and Chapter 10, p.139 (Rule 7).

In Book 10, Tribesman of Gor, “Greetings” occurs 8 times, on 5 occasions, as follows: Chapter 12, p.203 (Rule 7); Chapter 14, p.225 (Rule 3); Chapter 16, p.253 (Rule 10); Chapter 17, p.259 (Rule 7); Chapter 23, p.305 (Rules 3 and 4).

In Book 11, Slave Girl of Gor, “Greetings” occurs 16 times on 10 occasions, as follows: Chapter 7, p.158-159 (Rules 5 and 6); Chapter 9, p.193 (Rules 5 and 6); Chapter 9, p.220 (Rules 5 and 6).

At Chapter 9, p.225, an interesting exchange of greetings occurs, as Bran Loort arrives to challenge Thurnus:

“‘Greetings, Thurnus,’ called Bran Loort.
‘Greetings, Bran Loort,’ said Thurnus.”
-- Book 11, Slave Girl of Gor, Chapter 9, p.225.

Here we have 2 free persons greeting each other with “Greetings.” Thurnus is the community leader, and Bran intends to challenge his leadership by fighting him. Is this an ironic use by both parties of Rule 7, the Teineigo greeting of friends? Alternately, is Bran using the Kenjougo “Greetings” of Rule 3 (superior rank and status to inferior), so as to insult Thurnus? Or, alternately, is Bran politely using the Sonkeigo “Greetings” of Rule 4 (inferior rank or status to superior)? Without a more complex Gorean Keigo, once again we cannot decipher whether this is Rule 3, Rule 4 or Rule 7 - in other words we do not know exactly what relationship is being expressed here. My interpretation is that this is most likely an ironic use of the Teineigo Rule 7, the greeting between friends, used now by enemies as they confront each other.

“Greetings” in Slave Girl continue at Chapter 9, p.235 (Rule 3); Chapter 10, p.250 (Rule 7); Chapter 14, p.294 (Rules 5 and 6); Chapter 14, p.294 (Rule 10); Chapter 26, p.400 (Rules 5 and 6); and finally Chapter 27, p.413 (Rule 5).

In Book 12, Beasts of Gor, “Greetings” abound: “Greetings” occurs 20 times on 15 occasions.

The references are as follows: Chapter 2, p.24 (Rule 3); Chapter 2, p.40 (Rule 3); Chapter 4, p.100-101 (Rule 3); Chapter 4, p.105 (Rule 3); Chapter 6, p.123 (Rule 3).

At Chapter 10, at p.159 we see the following exchange:

“‘You are Imnak,’ I said.
‘Yes,’ he said.
‘I am Tarl,’ I said.
‘Greetings, Tarl,’ he said.
‘Greetings, Imnak,’ I said.
‘I have seen you before,’ said a man.”
-- Book 12, Beasts of Gor.

Why does Tarl use “Greetings” here and not Tal? This is not clear. Since the two are strangers and both are free, while one would expect a Teineigo greeting, one would have expected the more formal Tal. It should also be noted that even though Imnak is of the Innuit, the red hunters, and has his own language, he also speaks the standard Gorean, and is here speaking Gorean. Once again, if Norman had constructed a more complex and comprehensive set of Gorean Keigo rules, we might know the meaning of this address. As it is, it has no explanation. Perhaps this simply reflects that Imnak is immediately friendly with Tarl, and uses Rule 7 immediately. Or alternately, perhaps both men are using exaggerated politeness by each deliberately greeting the other with a Sonkeigo greeting, as a superior in status (Rule 4). My preference is for a Rule 7 greeting.

The “Greetings” continue, at Chapter 12, at p.196 (Rules 5 and 6); Chapter 12, at p.198 (Rule 7); Chapter 14, p.211 (Rule 4); Chapter 21, p.270 (Rules 5 and 6); and Chapter 22, p.282 (Rule 7).

Then in Chapter 29, p.351, we see the following exchange:

“‘Hold!’ said Karjuk. The cart stopped.
‘Greetings, someone from the south,’ he said.
‘Greetings,’ I said to him.
Karjuk had emerged from a door at the side of the hall. He wore fur trousers and boots, and some necklaces. He was stripped to the waist. There was a headband about his brow. "It seems we have you in a cage," he said. "That is where wild animals belong."”
-- Book 12, Beasts of Gor, Chapter 29, p.351.

In the above quotation, Tarl as a prisoner is addressed with a Kenjougo “Greetings” (Rule 8), by Imnak, who is free. Tarl responds in the same way, with “Greetings.” Is Tarl’s response a Sonkeigo Rule 9 acceptance of the prisoner condition? Is it an ironic use of the Teineigo Rule 7, the greetings between friends? Or is it an insulting Kenjougo Rule 3 greeting, the greeting of an inferior by a superior? Once again, one would need more than two words for “Greetings” to be able to answer this question. Again, my interpretation is for an ironic use of Rule 7.

“Greetings” continue in Beasts of Gor in Chapter 29, p.353 (Rule 8); Chapter 33, p.380 (Rules 8 and 9); and Chapter 35, p.420 (Rule 7).

In Book 13, Explorers of Gor, “Greetings” appears 6 times on 4 occasions, as follows: Chapter 1, p.35 (Rules 4 and 3); Chapter 18, p.233 (Rule 4); Chapter 57, p.453 (Rules 3 and 4); and Chapter 57, p.462 (Rule 7).

In Book 14, Fighting Slave of Gor, “Greetings” appears 9 times on 4 occasions, as follows: Chapter 10, p.125-126 (Rules 5 and 6); Chapter 19, p.243-244 (Rule 7); Chapter 26, p.334-335 (probably Rule 3) and Chapter 29, p.365 (Rules 5 & 6).

In Book 15, Rogue of Gor, “Greetings” occurs only 3 times on 2 occasions, as follows: Chapter 2, p.23 (Rule 8); and Chapter 28, p.255-256 (Rules 3 and 4).

In Book 16, Guardsman of Gor, “Greetings” occurs only 2 times on 2 occasions, as follows: Chapter 16, p.137 (Rule 8); and Chapter 16, p.141 (most likely an ironic use of Rule 7).

In Book 17, Savages of Gor, “Greetings” occurs 4 times on one single occasion, as follows: Chapter 15, p.257 (Rule 7):

“‘Kodakiciyapi,’ said Grunt. ‘Hou, Koda. Hou, Mitakoda.’ ‘Peace, friendship,’ had said Grunt, ‘Greetings, friend. Greetings, my friend,’ in Dust Leg. He then added, in Kaiila, for good measure, substantially the same message. ‘Hou, Kola. Hou, Mitakoda. Olakota. Wolakota.’ ‘Greetings, Friend. Greetings, my friend. Peace, Peace, Friendship.’”
-- Book 17, Savages of Gor, Chapter 15, p.257

The Kaiila tribe of the Red Savages clearly have their own language (Norman apparently drew from several Native American languages, notably Sioux), which translates differently from the classical Gorean, spoken in cities like Ar. Therefore little is learned about the rules for Tal and “Greetings” from this exchange. It does, however, appear to be an expression of Rule 7.

In Book 18, Blood Brothers of Gor, “Greetings” occurs 13 times on 10 occasions, as follows: Chapter 2, p.28 (Rule 5); and Chapter 4, p.53 (Rule 6).

The next “Greetings” in Chapter 4 is a “Greetings” between brothers, giving birth to an 11th Keigo rule: that family members will use “Greetings” to each other. This is a Teineigo rule:

“‘Canka,’ said Cuwignaka, as Canka stopped his kaiila near us.
‘Greetings, my brother,’ said Canka.
‘Greetings, my brother,’ said Cuwignaka, happily.”
-- Book 18, Blood Brothers of Gor, Chapter 4, p.55.

RULE 11: “GREETINGS” IS A GREETING USED BY FAMILY MEMBERS, WHEN ADDRESSING EACH OTHER

“Greetings” in Blood Brothers of Gor, continue, as follows: Chapter 12, p.122 (Rule 6); Chapter 14, p.151 (Rule 10).

In Chapter 15, p.169, the following exchange occurs:

“‘Behold!’ said Hci. ‘In good faith do I greet you! In the time of the festivals, now, let us make good feelings between us.’
‘Greetings,’ said Canka, standing before his lodge.”
-- Book 18, Blood Brothers of Gor, Chapter 15, p.169.

The above is a formal greeting between men of equal status, where one might expect a Tal. The speakers do not however speak the classical Gorean language, but rather they speak their own language. Therefore the classical Gorean word Tal would not be expected to be seen here. This exchange, like many exchanges in this book between tribes of the Red Savages, is therefore really outside Gorean Keigo completely.

“Greetings” in Blood Brothers of Gor, continue, as follows: Chapter 18, p.193 (Rules 5 and 6); Chapter 29, p.258 (Rules 5 and 6); Chapter 43, p.396 (Rule 7 - Tarl speaking with his tarn); and Chapter 54, p.469 (Rule 5).

In Book 19, Kajira of Gor, “Greetings” occurs 5 times on 4 occasions, as follows: Chapter 13, p.182 (Rule 4); Chapter 13, p.183 (Rule 4); Chapter 20, p.243 (Rule 10); and Chapter 31, p.340 (Rule 6).

In Book 20, Players of Gor, “Greetings” occurs 10 times on 6 occasions, as follows: Chapter 2, p.57 (Rules 4 and 3); Chapter 6, p.147 (probably Rule 4, where here a “free woman” uses “Greetings” rather than Tal to greet two strange free men); Chapter 6, p.149 (probably Rule 5); Chapter 6, p.157 (Rule 7); Chapter 9, p.200 (Rules 5 and 6); and Chapter 22, p.386 (Rule 7).

In Book 21, Mercenaries of Gor, “Greetings” occurs 10 times on 6 occasions, as follows: Chapter 15, p.146 (Rule 2 - translating Tal as “Greetings;”) Chapter 16, p.199 (Rule 7); Chapter 18, p.231 (Rule 7); Chapter 23, p.286 (Rule 7); Chapter 25, p.336 (Rule 5); and Chapter 29, p.444 (Rules 3 and 4).

In Book 22, Dancer of Gor, “Greetings” occurs 7 times on 5 occasions, as follows: Chapter 10, p.160 (Rule 7 - to a pet sleen); Chapter 20, p.309 (Rules 4 and 3); Chapter 24, p.329 (Rule 6); Chapter 28, p.374 (Rule 10); and Chapter 32, p.449 (Rule 5).

In Book 23, Renegades of Gor, “Greetings” occurs 1 time on 1 occasion, as follows: Chapter 15, p.234 (Rule 5).

In Book 24, Vagabonds of Gor, “Greetings” occurs 1 time on 1 occasion, as follows: Chapter 3, p.79 (Rule 3).

In Book 25, Magicians of Gor, “Greetings” occurs 5 times on 5 occasions, as follows: Chapter 3, p.52 (probably Rule 4); Chapter 6, p.76 (Rule 3); Chapter 7, p.93 (Rule 3); Chapter 7, p.94 (Rule 3); Chapter 14, p.215 (Rule 4).

And finally to Book 26: Witness of Gor. In Witness, “Greetings” occurs 3 times on 2 occasion, as follows:

“The next day I came early to her cell. She had requested it. The pit master had given his permission. At my arrival she had knelt without being asked to do so, and had removed her veil.
‘Greetings,’ I said.
‘Greetings,’ said she.”
-- Book 26: Witness of Gor, Chapter 14, 330.

This is an exchange between Lady Constanzia, an imprisoned free woman, and the slave girl Janice. This is an interesting dynamic, because although Janice is the slave, and therefore would be expected to greet a free woman with a Sonkeigo greeting, Janice is also, however, the free woman’s captor, and is in charge of the prisoner, which entitles her to use a Kenjougo greeting. In addition, the two women have become friends, which might suggest that a Teineigo expression is called for. Which Gorean Keigo expression will Janice use: Sonkeigo, Kenjougo, or Teineigo?

Janice greets Lady Constanzia with “Greetings.” Lady Constanzia greets back also with “Greetings.” Is this an expression of Rules 6 and 5, the greeting of slaves to free and free to slave - and if so, who is the “slave” (notice that the free woman kneels)? Or is this an expression of Rules 8 and 9, the greetings between captors and captives? Or is there a different dynamic at work here, for example the Teineigo greeting of friends, Rule 7? If we had different words for different classes of greeting, we would know exactly what is being communicated by each person in this exchange. Once again the paucity of Norman’s Gorean Keigo system leaves us guessing. Since the free woman kneels before greeting the slave, I interpret this interchange as follows: the slave Janice uses the Rule 6 Sonkeigo greeting (slave to free), expecting a Kenjougo response (Rule 5). But instead of the Rule 5 Kenjougo response, the Lady Constanzia, who is kneeling, responds with the same Rule 6 Sonkeigo greeting (slave to free). In other words, in her efforts to experience what slavery is, Lady Constanzia adopts the Keigo of the slave when she greets.

“Greetings” in Witness also occurs at Chapter 20, p.456 (Rule 6).

Next month, watch for the final installment: BREAKING THE RULES OF GOREAN KEIGO. Until then, I wish you well.

Thanks to my kajira, torachan, for research assistance on the 26 books.

Makaku Oyami