Bowing

We greet, thank, acknowledge each other by bowing.

Video caption text
00:00
[Foreboding orchestral music]
[Gustav Holst: Mars, the Bringer of War]
00:22
[Music]
[Elgar: Pomp and Circumstance (Land of Hope and Glory)]
00:32
This is New Albion on Mars
00:36
Newcomers to New Albion are sometimes
taken aback by local custom.
00:42
We greet, thank, acknowledge each other
by bowing.
00:47
Attempt to shake a stranger's hand in
New Albion and you may be
00:51
surprised by them backing away or otherwise
appearing defensive.
00:57
'Zero tolerance' towards unwanted physical
contact is enshrined in New Albion law.
01:03
Permission must be obtained in advance,
invariably necessitating an
01:08
explanation for why contact is being requested.
01:13
A request must itself have a reasonable
chance of succeeding to avoid
01:18
accusation of nuisance, harrassment,
or intimidation.
01:23
Medics and police will always ask permission
and explain why before going "hands on".
01:31
However, circumstances may dictate a reply
isn't needed or may be disregarded.
01:38
A bow suffices for most other interactions.
01:43
There are no rules governing the
bow itself, with nods being
01:48
as common as bending from the waist. Hand
and foot flourishes are entirely optional.
01:57
The important thing is to make your gesture
understood by its intended recipient.
02:03
If at all in doubt, explain your bow in speech.
02:09
Nobody at New Albion asks "please may I
squeeze your hand to demonstrate my sincerity"!
02:20
[Dissonant clashing orchestral music]
[Gustav Holst: Mars, the Bringer of War]
02:37
[orchestral music continues]