The Egyptians are extremely courteous to each other, and have a peculiar grace and dignity in their manner of salutation and their general demeanour, combined with easiness of address, which seem natural to them, being observable even in the peasants. The middle and higher classes of townspeople pride themselves upon their politeness and elegance of manners, and their wit, and fluency of speech; and with some justice: but they are not less free in their conversation than their less accomplished fellow-countrymen. Affability is a general characteristic of the Egyptians of all classes. It is common for strangers, even in a shop, after mutual salutation, to enter into conversation with each other with as much freedom as if they were old acquaintances; and for one who has a pipe to offer it to another who has none; and it is not unusual, nor is it generally considered unpolite, for persons in a first, casual meeting, to ask each other’s names, professions or trades, and places of abode. Lasting acquaintances are often formed on such occasions.[328] In the middle and higher ranks of Egyptian society, it is very seldom that a man is heard to say anything offensive to the feelings of another in his company; and the most profligate never venture to utter an expression meant to cast ridicule upon sincere religion: most persons, however, in every class, are otherwise more or less licentious in their conversation, and extremely fond of joking. They are generally very lively and dramatic in their talk; but scarcely ever noisy in their mirth. They seldom indulge in loud laughter; expressing their enjoyment of anything ludicrous by a smile or an exclamation. ----- Footnote 318: “’Aleykumu-s selámu wa-rahmatu-lláhi wa-barakátuh,” or merely “’Aleykum es-selám” (On you be peace!); but the longer salutation is more commonly used, in accordance with an injunction in the Kur-án, chap. iv., ver. 88. Footnote 319: Very few Muslims in Egypt do so. A European traveller, not disguised by Turkish dress, often fancies that he is greeted with this salutation, when it is really intended for his Muslim attendant. Footnote 320: A Muslim, however, when he receives this salutation from a person of another religion, sometimes replies, “And on you” (Wa-’aleykum). Footnote 321: Herodotus speaks of the respect paid in Egypt to the aged, and of the polite salutations of the Egyptians to each other. (Lib. ii., cap. 80.) Footnote 322: Meaning, “I congratulate you on your safety,” and “I hope you are well.” Footnote 323: Chap. xxiv., ver. 27. Footnote 324: Chap. vi., p. 162. Footnote 325: That is, to those who are above him either in office, wealth, or religious or literary reputation. Footnote 326: The visitor, if superior, or not much inferior in rank to the master of the house, receives his pipe and coffee before the latter. Footnote 327: Mentioned in Chap. v., p. 136. Footnote 328: