Sefdaanian ethnography Ch. 7, Manners

Polite expressions

• ąsnáŗ̇us, noble lord, form of address used by a non-noble to a noble and by the nobles to each other.
• alą, hello; ahoy.
• (tus) ĸètu fácus (ésa), you are too kind.
• asámas, revered mother, form of address by a younger person to an older woman.
• asápas, revered father, form of address by a younger person to an older man.
• boȝðúqus, esteemed daughter, form of address by an older person to a younger woman.
• boȝsų́nus, esteemed son, form of address by an older person to a younger man.
• к̧útos vų́la, thank you (lit., there is a debt).
• к̧ûtos vų́la ne, you're welcome (lit., there is not a debt).
• daṙčóes dą́a, I'm sorry (lit., tears flow).
• (mus) tús o mél‏ða, please.
• muşaŗ̇ú, my lord, respectful address to sovereigns.
• susméne, stay well, said by the one leaving.
• susṙéðe, fare well, said to the one leaving.
• tùsąntáso (< tùs sąntás o), to your health (a drinking toast)
• sífa ȝųnénam, Happy New Year.
• (mus) ĸ̌ą̀lu slúgor, how may I serve?, what? (response to being called).
• susǧenú, goodwife, Mrs., title of respect for non-noble human.
• susṁiṙú, goodman, Mr., title of respect for non-noble human.
• sus ǧéṙaþus, welcome.
• sus mǫ́daþus, well-met.

Modesty

• Among all the Peoples genital modesty is the norm. One never appears in public with the genitals exposed. There are four exceptions:
  • The Pyrans and the Lithans bathe in their communal bathhouses in the nude, but with the sexes separated.
  • The Hydorans do swim in the nude.
  • The Xylans wear no clothing, but many, out of respect, carry with them a loincloth to wear should they meet any of the other Peoples.
  • Weather permitting, children up to the age of three years are not clothed indoors.
• Among the five Loquent Peoples that have females, only the Hydoran women will appear bare-breasted in public, but then only amongst their own kind.

Bodily functions

• Defecation among all the Peoples is done in private. Urination is also done in private, though it need not be.
• The Xylans are the most “natural” of the Peoples. There is no taboo against defecating or urinating in the presence of another, although, out of respect, they do not perform these functions in the presence of the other Peoples.