Etiquette - Compliments at Introduction

26.50. - Compliments at introduction

When any male player (gentleman) is introduced to an odalisque it is polite for him to offer some compliment of her beauty.

Examples of correct form: "You have beautiful hair, Mademoiselle." "You have beautiful eyes, Miss Jenny." "You have beautiful breasts, slave."

An odalisque is a slave and yet also a very special creature. She is no ordinary slave and enjoys many rights and privileges denied to memlooks (low slaves). Among these is a point of etiquette: when the odalisque is introduced to a male player it is considered polite form for him to offer her a compliment. One would never afford a low slave this privilege, but an odalisque is deserving of a compliment. A gentleman should make some kind remark about some feature of her beauty. 

Gentlemen players in Code should be made aware of this convention. There is a proper way to behave when a gentleman is introduced to an odalisque. He should look the slave over and politely compliment some feature of her beauty. It is an acknowledgement of her special status. She is an object of beauty and desire. She has willingly made herself an object of beauty and desire. It is appropriate to comment on her beauty. 

It is regrettable that this convention seems not to be observed in several Code groups of our acquaintance. Like all points of etiquette it serves to soften and sweeten life and to render harsh reality into a mode of civility for the benefit of everyone. These points of etiquette should not be taken lightly. They are refinements, certainly, but refinement is one of the themes of Code d' Odalisque. The etiquette in Code d' Odalisque creates a fabric of conventions of conduct that contextualises sexual life. 

When you are introduced to an odalisque say hello, smile and then say, "You have a lovely face, Mademoiselle" or "Your body is very beautiful, slave" or "Your skin is beautiful and smooth, Mademoiselle." Or similar. It is a gesture of respect and indicates that you know who and what an odalisque is. She is not a work slave. She is an object of beauty. Admire her beauty and offer her an appropriate compliment. 

Note that this convention only applies to male players. Freewomen are not required to offer a compliment, although they may. In fact, in common society, it is already a convention for women to compliment each other upon meeting. "Hello. I love your dress!" "Pleased to meet you. Gorgeous ear-rings!" And so on. This type of feminine phoniness should be avoided. Instead, compliments are a formality men should observe.