In a way there is a no bowing zone. First thing, while it is proper to bow to nobility most of the nobility understand if you do not bow or acknowledge their presence. Especially if they see you are busy. The exception is the Royalty and Landed Baron and Baroness. If you do not bow to them then you are being disrespectful to the Kingdom. As speaking the greetings of the day replaces the salute using someones titles replaces the bow. "Good Morning your Graced" is an acknowledgment of their presence. I have been working at something like putting up a tent and someone notices me and they will greet me with a "your Grace", but they won't stop working. Many people have been told that M'Lord or M'Lady is good enough in all situations. This is true and not true. If you meet the person at the privy and do not know who or what rank they are M'Lord or M'Lady is always OK, but if you know you are talking to the Crown calling them M'Lord or M'Lady really upset them. Remember the Crown is Ansteorra and the Kings and Queens can get touchy because they feel they are doing a bad job of being Ansteorra if their position doesn't get respect. Please remember you don't have to make a big bow and simple little nod of the head is enough. Look to the customs of your time and place. There are certain times when it important to acknowledge nobility presences. For example if a Duke or Duchess or etc come to your campsite and formally present themselves. It would be impolite not to stand up and welcome them in. Once this is done it is all right for the whole campsite to causally interact. We should use title because we would in period. If the Royalty comes to your campsite or area for the first time everyone should stand up. Standing up is not require for anyone else but it is a honor to the person. If someone is in an alter ego and introduces himself as that alter ego it is proper to forgo all titles and courtesies. I said Alter ego. For example, I play the part of a Fool, Duck Papilion. In Elfsea I am His Disgrace, Duck Papilion and Day to the Court of the King of Fools of Elfsea. This is not an alternate persona this is her Grace being silly. It is like when King Henry would dress like a robber and steal peoples purses. You were supposed to act like you didn't know him but it was important to remember he was King. Now if the person is in an alternate persona it depends on the rank the person extends to the persona. All rank and titles belong to person behind the persona so if I choose I can claim any rank legally mine. For example I have a Japanese persona who is a Lady of the First Rank which makes her equal to a Duchess. My Gypsy persona claims to be a "Duchess" but my Irish persona is just a Lady. I cannot claim to be a Baroness because I am not, but my husband, who is a Court Baron can have a persona that is a Baron. Unclaimed titles in the SCA are a question. The title Marques is not used in the SAC. Whether or not you could use it if you are of a higher rank is a question. Please remember using the proper courtesies are something that "makes the Magic" and it is just important to acknowledge people who are of your rank or below as it is to acknowledge those above you. Many people will cheer when someone they like gets and award and then just call them by their first name when they get back to camp. People sometimes even sort of make fun of the new title. When you get something it should be special and it makes people happy when people use their new title with respect. Willow de Wisp _____________________________________________________________ Click for free information on earning a medical transcriptionist degree. http://track.juno.com/s/lc?u=http://tagline.untd.us/fc/Ioyw6iifev1O31kR5d8JIyPIXrnU9p7ibTWMjB7PLHE2gBsRWKS698/