The Arabs hold out the sides of their headcloths to trap the fragrant smoke inside, and wave it towards their faces and beards with a graceful motion of the hands. As it comes to our guest, he recalls the storied perfumes of Araby, myrrh and sandalwood, and decides correctly that the burning wood is sandalwood, whose incense, he decides after a second sniff, he likes very much. The stir and expectancy felt just before the entrance of the incense had obviously been in its honor and in honor of the fact that etiquette must now bring the party to a close. The host smiles, protests, agrees, and rises. At this, all rise and shake hands in turn with the host, thanking him for the excellence of the dinner, the company and the occasion in general.
Few languages have a finer farewell.
A guest who has enjoyed hospitality thanks his host for it as he leaves. To write again as a matter of form would be superfluous. Because hospitality, with the Arab, is not a favor to a guest, it is an obligation. He is obliged to extend hospitality. Disgrace would come not from a guest's lack of appreciation ,but from a host's lack of generosity.