A diverse country with myriad languages and cultures, India boasts a range of traditional greetings. Amidst this diversity, there are a few standard greetings that hold widespread recognition:

• Namaste: This is the most ubiquitous greeting in India, used across the country and understood in most languages. "Namaste" is formed by joining your hands in prayer position at chest level and slightly bowing your head as you say it. It translates to "I bow to the divine in you."
• Salaam: Predominantly used in Muslim communities, "Salaam" is an Arabic word that means "peace." It can be used on its own or as part of the more formal greeting, "As-salamu alaykum," meaning "Peace be upon you." When engaging with Muslims, remember to use your right hand for handshakes.
• Sat Shri Akal: This is a Punjabi greeting used predominantly in the state of Punjab and among Sikhs. It means "God is the ultimate truth."
• Vanakkam: This is a common greeting in the Tamil language, used predominantly in the state of Tamil Nadu and among Tamil-speaking populations. Similar to "Namaste," it involves holding your hands in prayer position as you say it.
• Namaskara/Namaskaram: This is a formal way of saying "Hello" in many South Indian languages like Kannada, Telugu, and Malayalam. The physical gesture is the same as for "Namaste".
• Indian women traditionally shake hands with foreign women but not with men, although this practice may vary among educated and contemporary Indian women.
• Western women can feel comfortable shaking hands with Indian women or Western-oriented Indian men, but they may want to avoid this gesture with traditional Indian men.
• English is widely spoken in India, especially in urban areas and among the younger and educated populations. So, "Hello," "Hi, How Are You?" are also commonly used. ​ 

Always consider the cultural context and the person you're speaking to when choosing a greeting. A sincere and respectful approach is usually well received. Aamir Khan's insightful remarks on the significance of Namaste in Punjab shows the deep-rooted cultural resonance of traditional greetings in India. Through his experience while filming "Dangal," Khan sheds light on the profound role such gestures play in echoing the sentiment of respect and acknowledgment across the colourful nation.

Article Published in Etiquipedia.blogspot.com

​THE GILDED AGE TABLE
What would those of the Gilded Age want on their table?  Everything imaginable! Let’s take a look……What would the Gilded Age table have seen?  Figure 1 displays a few items that we still see today, butter spreader, children's flatware minus a food pusher.  Children were encouraged to eat correctly at the table and cutlery was especially made.  The food pusher was an item made for children, even up till 1940-1950's.  The butter knife has slowly disappeared and today we would use knives straight from the butchers block. 

Interestingly the jelly knife is featured in this catalogue.  This type of jelly knife would most probably refer to sweet gelatin dessert.  The first recorded jelly dessert was in the 18th century book The Art of Cookery by Hannah Glasse.  Jelly was found sandwiched between layers of the trifle, a delectable sweet table pleasure.  

Figure 2 is the crème de la crème of the Gilded Age.  These flatware or serving ware was made for every dish or food that was eaten by those of the time.  You are probably wondering why so many different flatware?  Those that had money would purchase such products as a display of wealth and the etiquette of the day was that it was a no-no to touch food with your fingers.  The flatware featured are as follows: lettuce spoon and fork, oyster fork, small olive spoon and fork, olive fork and spoon.  How did the Gilded Age table look like with all these implements on it?

GILDED AGE PARTY & EVENTS
The Gilded Age was about showing your new found wealth and those who maintained 'old money' also stepped out to let others they were still there.  One of the most famous events was noted in the daily paper held at the Astor's 5th Avenue 'double' residence.  300 guests were invited who all were "prominent representatives of New York society".   Their invitations noted that they must attend in 'full dress'.  What did this mean?

Full dress referred to women dressing in evening gowns with jewellery ordered and shipped from Cartier or Bvlgari via Europe.  Wearing together with exotic perfumes from the Orient, highly coiffured hairstyles, silk gloves and an ornate purse.  Most likely women would make preparations in getting ready, an all day event with the help of staff.  The men would dress in black dress coats with white vest and cravat with accessories such as white gloves, top hat and walking cane.

What was served at the Astor's magnificent ball?  Using Mrs Astors "solid silver table service" a midnight supper menu was found to serve the following items: ​

​GILDED AGE CLOTHING
​The Gilded Age was an age where men, children and women especially wore many layers of garments that flowed elegantly to the floor. Women styles encouraged the use of brightly coloured materials and fabrics with waist altering corsets to 'promote the perfect shape' for the time.  Men's fashion garnered the creation of many different suits, hats and accessories.  It was a must for those invited, to wear the appropriate clothing for events such as high tea, garden parties, luncheons and formal dining events.  Everyone was expected to wear an array of outfits suiting the occasion and styles of the season.  Those fortunate to have the backing of wealth, brought with them an assistant who would act as a dresser and stylist, changing dresses, shoes, accessory's, hat's and hairstyles changes during the day to evening, perhaps they even had a Louis Vuitton trunk with these necessary items.

Most notably of the gilded age fashions was the use of the corsets and bodices.  Corsets were made from silk, lace and strong cotton material that had whale bone sewn into it which helped females to achieve the 'figure 8' look.  The bodice was tightly laced together, with the help of her assistant and always accompanied a dress, no matter the occasion.  The style of the time was called the 'princess line' which originated with Princess of Wales, Princess Alexandra.  This style was also called French-dart-line dress which had long panels without a join or separated at the waist.  These long seams helped to give its wearer a slimline appearance showing off the 'model' waist together with long sleeves and high neckline.

Part of the gilded age women's ensemble was to wear cape or otherwise known as a dolman-style-mantle.  This allowed for warmth in cool climates and worn inside for short periods of time during a visit.  The cape also kept a person warm in a carriage and easy to manoeuvre when getting in and out and up and down stairs.

Hat's was a complimentary must!  Hat's came in all sort of shapes, sizes and designs.  Hats could have come trimmed with lace, feathers, satin or velvet ribbons.  The wearing of hat continued too the advent of second world war.

Men's style was also as elaborate as women and children's wear.  It was popular to wear a morning or frock coat along with a top hat.  Those that were middle class wore sack coat which paired with a bowler hat.  Later on during the gilded age men favoured single-breasted suits and gracing evening events was the tuxedo.

The invention of the tuxedo is a tale of two cities.  The first story was said to have originated from Tuxedo Park, an upstate New York country playground for Manhattan's wealthiest elite.  The second story was that in 1865, King Edward VII commissioned a Savile Row tailor - Henry Poole & Co., to tailor a dinner suit for informal occasions, he would have with family and friends, known to the British as a 'dinner jacket' and the the Americans 'tuxedo'.  It was where the tailcoat lost it tail and became a jacket.

Later in the gilded age, due to good weather, nature and money spent on sprawling estates, women entertained outside whether it be garden parties, trying 'modern' inventions such as the bicycle, or participating in acceptable games such as badminton, golf, tennis, croquet or swimming.  Children were encouraged to stay outdoors as it was deemed 'good for ones health'.  New clothing was created to accommodate new ventures such as athletic wear and bathing costumes.

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My sister and I embarked on a ferry journey from Hong Kong to Macau, where upon submission of our passports, we were issued a paper insert akin to a train ticket before boarding. Upon arrival at the Macau ferry terminal, we effortlessly wheeled our suitcases to the complimentary bus services that transported us to our hotel-cum-casino. 
The luxurious accommodations and impeccable service at the hotel pleasantly surprised us, showcasing the advantages of staying in casino-affiliated establishments. After settling into our rooms, we donned our comfortable walking shoes and ventured down the main street to admire the charming Portuguese-inspired architecture that graced the cityscape.

Macau's story begins before explorers investigated new lands for trade, and colonisation. It belonged to the vast Ming Dynasty. It was in the mid-16th century. Portuguese traders arrived using it as a trading post in 1557, looking for new wares to take back to Europe and expand their empire.

An agreement allowed the Portuguese to settle on the Macau peninsula in exchange for rent and adherence to Chinese laws until 1887. This agreement laid the foundation for the world's first and longest-lasting European settlement in China until its handover in 1999. Today, it is a significant resort city and a top destination for gambling tourism and is more critical than Las Vegas.

The first known written record of the name "Macau", rendered as "A Ma Gang", is found in a historical material from 1555. It is a particular administrative region of the People's Republic of China.

Over the next 400 years, Macau flourished as a trade hub. European and Chinese cultures intermingled, creating a unique blend evident in its architecture, cuisine, and traditions. Now that it has become a major destination for economic thrill seekers, a new influence of Western luxury clientele etiquette has made its mark. What does this mean for locals and short- and long-haul travellers?

Etiquette plays a vital role across various facets of life in Macau, from business, dining, hospitality, and tourism. Visitors to Macau are encouraged to familiarise themselves with these etiquettes to ensure an enjoyable experience in Macau’s multicultural environment.

Respect for Elders: Confucian values heavily influence Macau's society, emphasising respect for elders. It's customary to address elders with deference and to offer them precedence in social situations.

Greetings: Traditional Chinese greetings involve a slight bow or nod of the head, often accompanied by a handshake. Addressing someone with their title or honorific, followed by their surname, is considered polite.

Gift Giving: Presenting gifts is a common practice in Macau, especially during festivals or social gatherings. Gifts are typically exchanged with both hands as a sign of respect. Avoid giving items in sets of four, as the number is associated with death in Chinese culture.

​Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the All-India Muslim League led the formation of Pakistan in 1947.  The demand for a separate Muslim state gained momentum in the early 20th century in response to British India's political framework.  The Lahore Resolution of 1940, also known as the Pakistan Resolution, called for creating independent states in Muslim-majority regions.  Following the end of British colonial rule and amidst escalating communal tensions, Pakistan emerged as a sovereign nation on August 14, 1947.
 
The partition of British India resulted in the birth of two separate nations, Pakistan and India, with Pakistan comprising two geographically and culturally distinct regions: West Pakistan, now known as the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and East Pakistan, now known as the People's Republic of Bangladesh.  With the separation of the newly formed Pakistan, citizens now had the liberty to indelibly grow culturally, so what is Pakistan famous for regarding cultural etiquette?
 
Pakistani hospitality is renowned worldwide.  Guests are treated with the utmost respect and warmth.  It's customary for hosts to go above and beyond to ensure their guests feel welcomed and comfortable.  I can vouch for this fact as I had married into a Pakistani family from one of its larger cities.  Here is what you need to know when being invited to a Pakistani home.
 
It's polite to bring a small gift, such as sweets, nuts, dates, or flowers, or if you have flown in from another country, then something different that may not be found in Pakistan.  When giving the gift to your host, hand it over with two or right hands, from woman to woman or man to man.  Avoid gifting alcoholic drinks or products that contain non-halal items.  Consider when you are being invited, clothing will change from day to night and on other specific occasions.  Also, contemplate the city you are visiting, as each city in Pakistan has its dress code.  For example, Karachi is a modern city; therefore, you will see women wearing jeans and joggers.  Islamabad will vary as it's known as the ambassadorial area where semi-formal office wear is the norm mixed with traditional dress.  Lahore is an older and more conservative city and, therefore, the traditional three-piece suit for women and semi-casual for men.  Check-in with your host on what to wear, and always remember to dress modestly.

Before you leave your hotel or accommodation, you must understand that time can be flexible or rigid.  Time is ridged if the host is currently serving in the military.  Military families are well accustomed to being on time and the value of not wasting it.  When you arrive at the host's house, remember to remove your shoes before entering the home because the roads are dusty and unsealed.  Upon arriving, stand to greet a person when they enter a room.  Greet the elders first with a polite "Assalam-o-Alaikum" and accept their blessings if they offer it.  A blessing might be a hand on the front part of your head.  Once you enter you are sitting it's vital that your compliment your hosts exterior or interior of the house, it will win you many bonus points for being observant and complimentary.
 
Depending on the family's views which could be conservative or modern, yourself and your partner maybe escorted away from each other into two rooms, one for men and one for women.  Or you will be invited to sit down with the family to eat and enjoy time together in one room.  You could be seated on a lounge or floor; remember to cross your legs or lean to the side with the sole of your foot facing the wall, never outstretched in front of you.
 
Likely, there will be children running around from room to room, it’s imperative to ask the welfare of children and talk over five minutes or more about each of them.  Pakistanis put immense value on children in the family unit and are a great source of pride and joy.  During the event, you will be peppered with personal questions.  This is because it is a way to get to know you so they can hierarchically place you according to their social system.  Questions could range from your family's background and your own family.  What do you do for work, which university do you attend, and so on?  I advise you to be prepared and answer respectfully; you in turn, will be able to ask the same type of questions as they value the questions importance.
 
In conclusion, Pakistan is a place of mystery to many, I found it a place of curiosity and old world wonder that is emerging into the spotlight of global recognition.

​Article Published By: Etiquipedia.blogspot.com