Greetings

Men Greeting Men
When men would meet each other, they would not shake hands as they would today. Rather, they would grasp each other's right wrist and give a firm shake. Then they would pat each other on the back with their left hands. There was a very practical reason for this: they were checking sleeves and backs for hidden weapons. This was to prove that neither man held a weapon in that hand. There was also a very misguided belief that left-handedness was a sign of the devil (so a man would try to hide this fact if that were the case). The modern day practice of shaking hands probably evolved from this custom.

Women Greeting Women
Women greeted other women with the latest craze from the Continent: the "French kiss" (no it's not what you think). Women would face each other and lightly grasp each other by the shoulders. Then they would kiss the air on either side of the other woman's cheeks three times. One would never actually touch the cheeks for reasons of courtesy as well as fear of contracting the plague. This type of kiss is still practiced commonly in France today, between both men and women.

Women Greeting Men / Men Greeting Women
When the sexes greeted one another, it was common among the well-mannered to bow or curtsey to the opposite sex. A lady would often extend her hand, which, depending on the circumstances, a gentlmen would take and either kiss, or touch to his bent forehead.

Forms of Address

Unlike modern day in the USA, people were well aware of their social standing as compared to the social standing of the person they were addressing. While its not uncommon to address someone as Sir or Madame, most people don't use such honorifics while walking down the street. Sometimes in modern usage we address people by their professions as the Elizabethans did; this manifests itself in certain situations such as: Good evening, Officer or Yes, your Honor. This is also found with Doctor, Professor, but note not with Lawyer.

The words used to address someone are based on both social status and familiarity. For example, the Earl of Warwick could refer to the Earl of Pembroke as Pembroke, My Lord, cousin (this didn't necessarily mean they were related), Sir, etc. depending on the circumstance. Coming from a merchant or peasant, both would be addressed as my Lord, my Lord Earl, or similar.

Sir or Mistress is always a safe bet for someone who is not nobility but who is dressed well. An older man might be addressed as Father, as may an older woman be address as Mother. Someone of your social standing or slightly above could be called Goodman, Goodwife or by their name or profession as Master Patrick or Master Brewer. A familiar tone may be taken by calling someone Cousin.

 To children, my lad/lass, or good young sir is appropriate, perhaps erring on the side of safety with my young lord/lady.

 To nobility, my Lord , or my Lady is safe if you don't know their exact name or title.

 The Queen or King is of course referred as Your Highness or Your Grace, but most commonly by, "Your Majesty."

Dukes, Duchesses can be likewise be addressed as Your Grace. Arch-Bishops and Bishops are refered to as "Your Grace," whereas lower members of clerical orders are refered to as Sir Priest

Officeholders, such as judges, constables, or bureaucrats, and knights, or esquires may be called "Your Honour" or "Your Worship."

In general, extra words such as Good may be thrown in to add further flattery and pomp to an address. Good my Honorable Lord Constable!.

Compliments

 Flowery, long, and comparative compliments were often used by both men and women to flatter those on whom they wished to leave a good impression. Listed below are some examples, including their translations:

Thou art most beauteous this day.
You look pretty today.

Thy voice is sweeter than that of an angel.
Your voice is beautiful.

Thy beauty eclipses the sun.
You are dazzlingly beautiful.

By my troth, mine eyes are blessed by your very visage.
In truth, the sight of your face is a blessing.

England's love affair with language continued through the 17th century, and William Shakespeare's plays and sonnets are testimony to that love. We will further explore language in a later section.

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