Greetings

How do people typically greet one another?  Do we bow, shake hands?  What are the expectations around personal space?  Do we embrace our friends?  Or avoid making unsolicited physical contact?  Are there standard greetings, and do they vary across "politeness registers"?

Across the caliphate, it's most common to bow a little in greeting to a stranger or casual acquaintance. This doesn't need to be a very deep bow among people of more or less similar standing, simply a small indicator of courtesy. A simple nod can also work, though this might be considered somewhat aloof, or possibly even a little rude if this was all that was offered towards someone of higher social standing. Friends and relatives will often greet one another with a clap of one or both hands on the other's shoulders, a hearty embrace, and/or a kiss on both cheeks. Salawi will sometimes greet others -- whether friends, business associates, or first-time acquaintances -- by a quick, firm grasp of forearms and a nod.

People from rural areas, particularly nomadic and village Sirdabi and Tessouare, can sometimes have very drawn-out greeting rituals in which one asks after the health of the other along with a series of relatives and sometimes shared acquaintance, while the other responds in kind and asks the same questions in return. These sorts of ritualized back-and-forth greetings take place equally between people of long and short acquaintance, most typically if the individuals involved have not seen one another for a few weeks (as is often the case among wandering tribes and people of remote villages).

Irzali have a greater love for elaborate gesture and fancy titles than most other peoples of the caliphate, along with a higher expectation of outward observance of social hierarchies. So greetings among Irzali often involve deeper bows and greater shows of deference, especially from an individual of lower social standing towards his or her "betters". Regardless of their actual rank, many Irzali have a great fondness for adopting titles for themselves, by which they like to introduce themselves and sign off on correspondence.

Expectations of personal space vary quite a bit, and probably also vary at least as much by lifestyle and class as by heritage, so this is fine to decide for your own character. One again, Irzali are roughly the most formal and also probably more conscious of their physical space. Tessouare are probably also inclined towards more personal space, at least outside the home and apart from family and friends.

As far as greetings go, an ordinary "Hello" or "Good morning/afternoon/evening" can suffice. Another common exchange of greetings would be: "Peace/harmony be upon you." - "And upon you, peace/harmony." This would be fitting for more formal situations, but could be just as well used between friends. To inquire after someone's health, a slightly more formal alternative to "How are you?" would be, "Do you dream well today?"

Farewells are much the same -- "Goodbye" and "Good morning/afternoon/evening" are all perfectly acceptable. Other options might include:

"May the Song set your steps."/"Set your steps to the Song."
"Fair dreaming to you."
"Dreamer guide your path."
"Go with God."

If players come up with other greetings that fit the setting, that's also fine! In the meantime I've added these to the Colorful Language page on the wiki for easy reference.