Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-02-25
Chinese Etiquette.

Hdu LuClT literature dlOut uOG SuLhSNN "
place them far higher IN the scale OF
mental cultivation than the unlettered
barbarian, a knowledge OF those lmpor-
tant forms and ceremonies which regu-
late daily intercourse between man and
man, unknown, of course, to inhabitants
of the outside nations, would have amply
justified the graceful and polished Ce-
lestial in arrogating to himself the proud
nosition he now occupies with so much
satisfaction to himself. A few inquiring
natives ask if foreigners have any notions
at all of etiquette, and are always sur
prised in proportion TO their ignorance
10 hear that our ideas of ceremony are
fully as clumsy and complicated as their
own. It must be well understood that
we speak chiefly of the educated classes,
and not of boys and cOmpradores who
learn in a very short time both to touch
their caps and wipe their noses on their
masters pocket handkerchiefs. Our OBJ
seryations have been confined to mem
bers of that vast body Of men who pore
day and night over the Doctrine OF
the Mean" and whose lips would scorn
to utter the language of birds.
And truly if national greatness may be
gagged by the mien and carriage Of its
people, China is without doubt entitled
to high place among the children OF
men. An official in full costume is
most imposing figure, and carries him.
self with great dignity and self-posses-
sion; albeit he is some four or five inches
shorter than an average Englishman. In
this respect he owes much to his long
dress, which, by the way, we hope IN
course of time to see modified; but more
to a close and patient study Of an art
now almost monopolized in Europe by
aspirants to the triumphs of the stage.
There IS not single awkward movement
as the Chinese gentleman bows you into
mis- house or supplies you from his own
hand with the cup of tea so necessary, as
we shall show, to the harmony OF the In
terview. Not until his guest is seated
will tie host venture to take up his posi-
ton on the right hand Of the former; and
even If in the course of an excited con-
versatfon either should raise himself,
however slightly, from sitting posture,
it will be the bOunden duty Of the other
to do so too No gentleman would sit
while his equal stood Occasionally,
where it is not intended to be over-re-
spectful to a visitor, a servant will bring
in the tea, one cup in each hand. Then,
standing before his master and guest, he
will cross his arms, serving the latter,
who is to his right, with the left hand, his
master with the right. The object OF
this is to expose the palm-in Chinese,
the heart-of either hand to each re-
cipient of tea. 1t is a token of fidelity
and respect The tea itself is called
guest tea," and is not intended for
drinking It has a more useful mission
than that of allaying thirst. Alas for the
red-haired barbarian who greedily drinks
off his cupful before ten words have
been exchanged, and confirms the un-
favorable opinion his host already enter
tains of the manners and customs OF the
West! And yet little trouble spent in
Chinese would have gained him much
esteem as an enlightened and tolerant
man. For, while despising us Outwardly,
the Chinese know well enough that in
wardly we despise them, and thus il
comes to pass that voluntary conces-
sion on our part to any of their harmless
prejudices is always gratefully acknowl-
edged. To return, "guest tea" is pro-
vided to be used as a signal by either
party that the interview is at an end. A
guest no sooner raises the cup to his lips
than a dozen voices shout to his chair
coolies; so, too, when the master of the
house is prevented by other engagements
from playing any longer the part of host.
Without previous warning-unusual eX-
cept among intimate acquaintance
this tea should never be touched except
as a signal of departure.
Strangers meeting may freely ask each
other their names, provinces, and even
prospects; it is not so usual as is gen
orally supposed to inquire a person's age.
1t is always compliment to an old man,
VINO is justly proud of his years, and
takes the curious form of " your venerable
teeth?" But middleaged men do not, as a
rule, care about the question, and their
answers can rarely be depended upon.
A man may be asked the number and sex
of his children; also if his father and
mother are still " in the hail." 5.e., alive
His wife, however, should never be allud
ed to, even in the most indirect manner
Friends meeting, either or both being in
sedan-chairs, stop their bearers at once
and get out with all possible expedition
the same rule APPLIES to acquaintance
meeting on horseback. In word, Chi
nese etiquette is wide field for the
student, and one which, we think, would
well repay extensive and methodical eN
ploration.-C Celestial Empire, Shanghai.
A Comfortable Shoe.
A Swiss philosopher has taken up {;