There are many words and phrases that people use as salutations, such as "hello," "Hi" and "How are you?" Some of them, including the latter one, encourage dishonesty or prevarication from the greeter and the greeted.

The year before President Harry S. Truman, in June of 1950, declared that the United States was engaged in the Korean War, I served as the Chaplain's Assistant to Chaplain D. de Leon Felder. Shortly after the war began Chaplain Felder and I received orders that assigned us to different military installations. One of the things I remember about Chaplain Felder is his standard salutation, an enthusiastic: "Greetings!"

During the three-score years since, even more in the last twenty-five years, like Chaplain Felder, my salutation of choice has been "Geetings!" when I encounter a person, even if just for a fleeting moment.

Greetings is my salutation of choice, primarily, because it keeps me honest and encourages those I greet to be more honest than they might be if I greet them, for example, with "How are you?" which I may not want to know and the respondent may not want me to know.

Greetings can be used formally or informally, and in verbal and written communication, such as in letters and emails. I am reminded that when I served as Chaplain's Assistant to Chaplain Felder he dictated letters that I would type invariably began with the salutation "Greetings!"

The question may be asked, Why greet people? If so, why not limit it to a few people? I recall having a friend some years ago who said to me, "White folk do not greet people as often as black folk." In this matter, he thought the white folk's way to be best. As for me, I feel good in greeting people, i.e., acknowledging their presence in a space that we share in the same way that I feel good about saying "Thank you" in response to an act of kindness I receive from another person. For me a smile is not enough. A word of greeting has more significance than just a smile. However, a verbal greeting accompained with a smile can be beautiful.

I will not suggest what salutation, if any, another person may proffer. Unapologegtically, I suggest that you consider using a salutation that contributes to your self-honesty and encouarages the greatest honesty from the person you greet.

With this in mind, my complimentary closing is: "GREETINGS!"

Copyright 2010 by Uriah J. Fields

{For more insightful writings by Uriah J. Fields visit the web site below. When there click on "Mutuality World Community Church" and stroll down the Menu. Be sure to click on "Kindness," No. 30.}