Greetings

1. The various dialects have their expressions for 'how do you do?'

   Hou's aw wi ye? How is everything with you?	Hou's yer dous? How are your pigeons?
   Hou d'ye fend?(South West) How are you managing?	Whit fettle?(Borders) What state (are you in)?
   Hou ye lestin?(Borders) How are you lasting?	whit like? (North East) What (are things) like?
   Whit wey are ye?(Ulster) How are you?

   To these may be answered:

   Brawly - Thank ye. Nicely - Thank you.	No bad conseederin. Not bad considering.	A canna compleen. I can't complain.
   Hingin by a threid. Just managing.	A hae been waur. I've been worse.	Sae faw ye. Same to you.

2. Guests who are in a hurry and often unwilling to take a seat are often told.

   It's sae cheap sittin as staundin. It is as cheap sitting as standing.

3. In Pubs or other places where people gather a common invitation to join in is.

   Come intil the body o the kirk. Join the company.

4. When parting.

   Haste ye back. Return soon.

5. Newlyweds are often greeted with.

   Happy fit.

   Refers to the custom of 'fit washin', washing the feet of the bride or bridegroom the night before the wedding.

6. At the new year or when moving into a new house.

   Lang mey yer lum reek. Live long and happily.

   Mey the best ye hae iver seen be the warst ye'll iver see. May the best you have ever seen be the worst you will ever see.

   Mey the moose ne'er lea' yer girnal wi the tear drap in its ee. May the mouse never leave your grain store with a tear drop in its eye.

   Mey ye aye keep hail an herty till ye'r auld eneuch tae dee. May you always stay whole and hearty until you are old enough to die.

   Mey ye aye juist be sae happy as A wiss ye aye tae be. May you still be as happy as I always wish you to be.

7. When writing letters the usual form of address is Ma freend, Ma fere or Guid billie corresponding to the English Dear.

   Formal letters begin with Guid Sir, Guid Mr. (Maister) or Mem (Madam) corresponding to the English Dear.

   Other terms of address are:

   Miss	Miss	Maister	Mister
   Dame	Lady	Chield	Gentleman or fellow
   Mistress	Misses	Guidman	Husband or male head of household
   Sir	Sir	Guidwife	Female head of household

   Letters may be ended with the following:

   Formal		Informal
   Aefauldly	Sincerely	Fair faw	Best/good wishes
   Yours aye	faithfully	cheery-bye the nou	Goodbye for now
   Fare ye weel	Farewell	See ye efter	See you later

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