Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1857-01-30
Courtesy VS.. CuriOsitY.---Or, the PHI
IosOphy of Social and Business Life.
" Idle and full of curiosity"


IOsophy of Social and Business Life.
L" Idle and full of curiosity"
A correspondent complains that he is
sadly annoyed in consequence of the dai.
ly aud protracted visits to his office of se-
vsral highly esteemed, but rater indolent
friends. He says that they interfere ma
terially with his business, i" which is of a
somewhat confidential character" He
cannot dismiss them harshly. for he
really entertains the kindest feelings to-
wards them. and is reluctant to give Of
fence but the dilemma is becoming SO
serious that he is perplexed. He '' has
already lost several of his best customers,
and he will lose others, unless he can dis.
cover a remedy for the evil complained Of
His note was not, perhaps, intended for
publication, but the above brief outline of
its contents will probably serve his pur>
pose as we'll as that Of others, who are si-
milarly situated. " There is a season for
all things" and there should be reason in
all things. An individual NO matter how
friendly or intimate should not, because
ihe hns an idle hour on hand. inflict his
presence upon another. without the sliyh-
test consideration, and especially if that
other happen to have confidential busi-
ness transactions with third parties. Such
conduct is not only thoughtIess and dis
courteous, but it absolutely indicates a
want OF common sense, anh lack of good
breeding. A merchant mentioned to us
day or two ago. that be had occasion to
call upon a leading house in this city, in
order to effect sale of goods, if possible;
and that while in the counting room of the
principal. two idlers stepped in, seated
Themselves. and at once interrupted the
conversation. He paused and looked at
them. as If to initiate that a business mat
ter was in hand 4; but they treeted the
matter with indifferenate or contempt, and
he wss absolutely compelled to leave, and
effect a sale elsewhere. This, too, was
not the first occurrence Of the kind in the
same establishment. The principal is the
prince of good nature, and is well known
for his generous hospitality. But the
practice Of converting his counting house
into social sitting room, or a scene for
idle jests, is not exactly mercantile, to say
the least. He is aware of the evil, and
deplores it, but he lacks the moral courage
TO provide a remedy. And this is the
case with hundreds. There are certnin
stores in lphia-elegant, abun-
dainty provided with goods. and particu>
larly calculated to attract the attention of
ladies, but, unfortunately, certain idlers
and loungers have established their head
quarters within the premises, and the ef-
iect Is to drive away every member Of
the gentle sex who is aware of the fact.
This is particularly the case with some of
our Druggists. A visit of courtesy is one
thing, aud visit Of business is another
and while the former is every way agree
able aud desirable, at the proper time, it
should never be permitted to interfere
with the latter. In other words, the mere
sdler. who is puzzled for an agreeable
mode of passing his spare time, should
not be allowed to drive away the custo.
mer. And when, too, confidential con.
versation is in progress either between
the members of firm, merchant and
book keeper. lawyer and his probable
customer, the mere lounger who had no
business in the matter, and no interest at
stake, should regard it not only as an act
"ot courtesy, but a duty, to disappear as
speedily as possible. If instead, he ling
or and listen, as some time happens with
the curious. the impudent and the unpen-
uemSnly' he should be taught to under
stand, that he violates courtesy. and in.
hicts positive injury. These NAV seem
triAing matters, but they are not So
Many a man has been ruined by the sys-
to which we have referred. There is an
other evil that deserves to be mentioned.
We allude to the dispositions which some
persons have, when on visits of business,
Of talking half an hour upon some other
subject, without coming to the point
The trick. if intended to deceive, is shall
low, and If practiced from force of habit,
It cannot be corrected too speedily. There
IL still another improper indulgence,
which should not be forgotten in this con
nsction. It is that of the meddling, pry-
ing and garulous, who not satisfied with
iusrudlng themselves where they are not
wanted, enter at once into any converse
tloA that may be under way, and give
tneir opinions as if they were parties i'm
mediately deeply interested. This should
be regarded as Gaping the climax of i'm
pudence. And yet there are in eyerv
community persons who seem to take
great delight in interfering with the affairs
OF others. while they too often neglect
those which are vital aud important to
themselves. Courtesy, kindness and ci>
Witty are among the social virtures that
G' deserve to be constantly cultivated
ihere are. nevertheless. bounds to hu-
man patience and human endurance, and
snouia not permit ourselves to be in