CHAPTER THREE: ON THE TOPIC OF SPEAKING WITH DWARVES
Perhaps the most difficult part of an encounter with a Dwarf is the conversation.
When speaking to a Dwarf, you must take care not to offend. While these folk have been perfectly safe in my own experience, it is only because I took the necessary precautions.
Dwarves are timid in their own curious way. As such, you should avoid asking too many questions. However, do not think that asking no questions at all, or too few, is the better option: I find that any number of questions between three and seven is a safe, satisfactory amount.
Take care to control yourself: the excitement and fear during one’s first encounter with a Dwarf is often too much, and this can be dangerous. Remain calm, and refrain from asking further when a Dwarf gives short answers.
During a conversation, it will quickly become apparent: Dwarves rarely lead. Therefore, any Hobbit seeking to speak with these folk is required to lead the discussion, asking questions, and remaining silent when a Dwarf is speaking.
Some questions I have designed especially for beginners – though these will still remain useful for those who eventually gather a number of these meetings to their name:
Where do you come from?
Do you travel through these parts often?
How has your journey been so far?
Are you a traveller? – Here you may alternatively ask, ‘Are you a travelling merchant?’
And finally, for the particularly brave: A good morning, though I think it may rain soon – what do you think?
There is, of course, no need to ask for a Dwarf’s name: a Dwarf always states his name during the greetings.
To conclude your encounter with a Dwarf, you may choose to give a curt nod, turn, and take your immediate leave. In respecting Dwarf tradition and practises, you should take your leave starting with your right foot. Take even steps, and move swiftly, though do not rush.
One might also choose, after they have mustered the courage and practise, to invite a Dwarf to break fasts, to a meal, or even, for the truly daring, to a drink.
