On the other hand, one should take into account that the Turkmens are not a uniform nation, yet. They are divided into big and small tribes and associations. Surely, there are relationships and traditions across these tribes that have enriched each other. But simultaneously, differences in the appearances and traditional behavior are clearly visible to an experienced eye.
Therefore, an observer needs to keep in mind to be more flexible and attentive to any advice given even by knowledgeable carriers of folk traditions, because observations made in a Northern velayats[6] might diverge from the ones made in Southern ones.
For instance, how could I myself, a representative of the Ersary tribe that lives primarily in the Lebap velayt, at the northeast of the country, behave properly living, as I do, at the southernmost point of Turkmenistan, if I did not use creativity in greetings?
Gradually (though slower than I would wish) the large integral picture began to reveal its secrets to a town-bred boy who I was at that period. Simple at a first superficial glance styles of “salam” (“salamlashmak” means “to greet each other”) appeared to be a rather complicated and, at the same time, flexible delicate system that had to be handled delicately and carefully.
As an introduction, let me say that, since the olden times, basic rules have been developed by the Turkmens (only a few of them would be mentioned here):
Who should greet the other person first?
A standing person greeting a sitting one;
A passerby greeting one who is doing a physical work (often, even if the former is older than the latter);
One who rides a horse greeting one who walks;
Obligatory, a younger person greeting an older one;
A host greeting a guest.
Nevertheless, there is no rule without exceptions. It is expected of a truly polite person to be able to greet properly and, what is not less important, to give relevant answers respectfully while being greeted. Otherwise, a man may face an unpleasant situation when only few people would greet him as they meet.
Again, for a more vivid Illustration I would “call to assist” another one of my numerous neighbors. I have some personal reasons not to pay tribute to him, currently quite an elderly man. Fortunately, I am a pretty good and attentive observer, and usually I notice his approaching from a far distance. Then, often it is enough to step aside or to make a face of “one deep in thoughts”, and thus letting him to pass away like one “unseen by me, and left without a