just a small question (Greeting People in the Celtic World)

[Fionnlagh]

This question doesn't exactly involve EB so I would like to apologize. This is just a question I've all of a sudden got curious about.

How did the Celts introduce themselves and greet other people? Like if a Gaul was to introduce himself to a Greek, would he shake hands with him? I doubt that's exactly he would do but I think you get the idea.

And would all the Celts such as the Gaels, Belgae, Britions etc. would have the same customs?

Sorry again if this strays a little to far.

[Foot]

Probably impossible to tell, but it would likely be some variation of, "Look! No weapons", but with hands.

Foot

[Obelics]

Probably impossible to tell, but it would likely be some variation of, "Look! No weapons", but with hands.

Foot

those wormongers... good intuition, ive no idea but id tend to think something like that too, peraphs with your hands open, interesting that also in our time, we instinctively, when we want to say, "i have not a clue", or "im impotent", we open our hands towards a guy, or even if we want to show our friendship...
could it be a reminiscence of our violent ancestry? ("look i have not a knife hidden in my hands, so im friendly with you") interesting antropological point.

[Foot]

Open hands is a universal gesture to show friendship, the difference lies in how we do it. Even the simple handshake so common in the modern world is just a variation on the open hand gesture - you can't shake hands with someone if your holding a sword. My uncle is a professor in body language in philadelphia so I've read a lot on this subject.

Foot

[Obelics]

Open hands is a universal gesture to show friendship, the difference lies in how we do it. Even the simple handshake so common in the modern world is just a variation on the open hand gesture - you can't shake hands with someone if your holding a sword. My uncle is a professor in body language in philadelphia so I've read a lot on this subject.

Foot

these kind of things are always interesting. Ok, not very related to the shake hands thing, but this remind to me of that thing of the pleasure when you kiss a girl (or a man, it depend on the tastes) on the mouth, i remember have read somewhere that it depends on our ancestral pleasure when the mothers had to give the food directly to our mouth, from their mouth, after having well masticated it (like the birds do).

[Foot]

That sounds a little odd, but plausible I guess. But that would have had to been a very early development, as the lips are certainly a strongly erogenous zone and closely related to the erotic (though that might be more of a social development rather than biological one, as it only appears during the period of sexual maturation and may well be a natural development to the pleasure a kiss gives).

Yes, stuff like this is always very interesting. I'm a real fan of Stephen Jay Gould's writing on popular science, as you can always find little gems like this.

Foot

[overweightninja]

I'm afraid I can't offer any input, just wanted to say what an interesting question, look foward to seeing how this one develops

[Theodotos I]

You can kiss someone on both cheeks while holding your sword. This is how Amasa died Probably why I don't like the custom of kissing other men.

[Gebeleisis]

i hope its not the only motive you dont like kissing men

[Moosemanmoo]

!!!! BLUUWWAAAAHGGGHGHHH !!!!!

well at least thats what I was taught in primary school
along with the LS


I'll guess ciao?

[Teleklos Archelaou]

A pet peeve of mine: vague thread titles. I added a bit more description to make it easier to spot/understand/search for.

[Primative1]

How did the Celts introduce themselves and greet other people?

These days we say;

"Awright butty, fancy a pint like?"

Translated;

"How do you do good fellow, would you care to partake of a beverage?"

[Ayce]

These days we say;

"Awright butty, fancy a pint like?"

Translated;

"How do you do good fellow, would you care to partake of a beverage?"

LOL

[Jaywalker-Jack]

BOZ BOZ BOZ!!!!

[cmacq]

I've part of an answer...

De bello Gallico
Caesar's Gallic War
Book 4

Chapter 5
[1] His de rebus Caesar certior factus et infirmitatem Gallorum veritus, quod sunt in consiliis capiendis mobiles et novis plerumque rebus student, nihil his committendum existimavit. [2] Est enim hoc Gallicae consuetudinis, uti et viatores etiam invitos consistere cogant et quid quisque eorum de quaque re audierit aut cognoverit quaerant et mercatores in oppidis vulgus circumsistat quibus ex regionibus veniant quas ibi res cognoverint pronuntiare cogat. [3] His rebus atque auditionibus permoti de summis saepe rebus consilia ineunt, quorum eos in vestigio paenitere necesse est, cum incertis rumoribus serviant et pleri ad voluntatem eorum ficta respondeant.

my rendering
Caesar acquired reliable reports concerning these events. Dreading the weakness of Gaul, where often after quick debate change is eagerly seized reguardless of consequence. In fact, it’s the custom of these Gauls, to stop and gather round the unwilling traveler, each wanting to hear their route and familiarity with their business. Even at a regional stronghold the rabble gathers to inquire the merchant’s enterprise and compell response. Whereupon hearing such news they're often stirred to deep debate, and in the mist take unavoidably angry steps, served only by unreliable rumors, and the desire to shape a common response.

W. A. McDevitte
Caesar, when informed of these matters, fearing the fickle disposition of the Gauls, who are easily prompted to take up resolutions, and much addicted to change, considered that nothing was to be intrusted to them; for it is the custom of that people to compel travelers to stop, even against their inclination, and inquire what they may have heard, or may know, respecting any matter; and in towns the common people throng around merchants and force them to state from what countries they come, and what affairs they know of there. They often engage in resolutions concerning the most important matters, induced by these reports and stories alone; of which they must necessarily instantly repent, since they yield to mere unauthorized reports; and since most people give to their questions answers framed agreeably to their wishes.