Equals

Interviews between two equals are generally in the nature of a visit which is made by one person to another and vice versa. It is easy to deal with such a situation when the two persons concerned are in the know of dealings with both superiors and subordinates. If two masters meet, naturally they would know how to treat each other and what to say and what to avoid. The difficulty may arise when two persons though equal in status have not much experience of their rights and duties so as to make the other party feel at home. It goes without saying that when two equals meet, ordinary formalities of courtesy may be dispensed with and the conversation, if necessary, may proceed along on intimate terms. The welcome accorded to each other has to be very cordial and besides the hand­shake, etc., there may. be other close contacts like even embracing, holding each other on the back and so on. There is no particular mode of such a welcome and it would depend on the mood, usual practice and inclinations of the two equals.

Among equals the questions that are exchanged pertain to a different character, and very probing questions may or may not be put, depending on the relationship. However, sometimes when the relation­ship is close, there is no end to the intimacies in enquiries that they may indulge in. This is because they move on the same plane and they may behave like boys, young men or old men as and when they feel the same convenient. It would therefore be natural for equals to crack jokes and speak in a manner that is informal. Neither of the equals should take offence at this and they should laugh away and give themselves up to the pleasure of the meeting. When we speak of equals, we mean that two or more persons are equals not only in point of present position or status but that they also have the same background or, alternatively, have acquired enough knowledge of a similar background required for such a position or status. If there is any discrepancy in respect of any inherent quality, the equality may not be perfect and equal manner or behaviour may be misunderstood by one side or another.