Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1883-02-14
FRENCH POLITENEss.
1t is Simply Very Artistic and Dec
oratiye Fresco.

oratiye FrescO.
[Lucy Fl. Hooper in Chicago Tribune.
But, to return to the question of
French politeness, it is very charming;
it is fresco merely, but the fresco is
very artistic and decorative. The grace
and courtesy of manner that surround
one on every side in Paris add very
positive charm to existence. French
politeness is largely made up of little
things. an attention to the minntie OF
social intercourse, strict observance OF
certain rules of etiquette, and charm
of manner that is perfectly irresistible.
Add to this vast amount of tact, which
prevents any rubbing the wrong way
of undue susceptibilities, and the casual
observer will very readily comprehend
how delightful a race this is to live
amongst. A Frenchman's devotion to
the rules of etiquette is really extraor-
binary; he would consider himself a
brute did he appear without gloves in
lady's presence, or go to make an eve
ming visit in any costume gave full eve
ming dress, or fail to lift his hat in pass
ing an unknown lady on the staircase or
in the hall of house at which he
CHANGED to be visiting. You may be
perfectly sure that on any occasion or in
any circumstance he will do the correct
thing.
But where French politeness shows its
fresco-like thinness is in the practical
side of the quality. The fine chival-
rous devotion of American manhood to-
ward the weaker sex is not only wholly
lacking in Paris, but is replaced by an
aggressive and selfish rudeness in many
instances that is well-nigh unbearable to
an American woman. In proportion as
the Frenchman's house manners are
charming, his street manners are de-
plorable The most elegant dandy that
ever paced the boulevards will not hest
tate to thrust woman out of his way on
the narrow sidewalk.
If he push her into the gutter, so
much the better for him and so much
the worse for her. He will elbow and
shove without mercy party of ladies at
the entrance OF a crowded theatre, using
his superior strength, not to protect
them, but to throw them out of the
way. Ifa lady drops her parasol or her
handkerchief on Il crowded thorough
fare no man. will stop TO pick it up for
her. That is her business, and if the
male passers by refrain from treading on
the object it is as much as can be expec-
ted of them. | once saw an American
lady hale cab on the Rue de Paix. Az
it drew up to the sidewalk two we'll
dressed Frenchmen thrust themselves
in front of her, got into the cab, and
drove off in triumph. During the severe
winter of some seasons ago I repeatedly
saw. ladies slip and fall on the icy pave
ments on the crowded boulevards, and
never once did see man amongst the
passers-by stop and extend hand to
help the sufferer to rise.
Another subtle form ofrudeness among
our French friends is the failure to an
swer letters. | do not mean mere notes
or letters of inquiry on subjects inter-
estlng to the writer merely, but actual
business communications of a certain
amount of importance. Another very
annoying lack of courtesy is to be found
in their want of punctuality, even in
matters of business. And have yet to
come in contact in American society
with stratum low enough to furnish
personages who would act after the fol-
lowing fashion: An American lady
once got up in Paris soiree musicale of
some Importance private affair, adj
mission being gained by invitat on only.
She hired for the occasion a small con-
cert hall belonging to one of the leading
teachers of singing in Paris. This hall
had two proscenium boxes, which the
hostess wished to reserve for some par
ticular friend of her own. There being
no lock on the boxes, she affixed pla
card to each door, bearing the name OF
the person for whom the box was in
tended; and as an additional measure of
she tied ribbon across each
door. A party of French titled person
ages, for whom Invitations had been re-
quested by an intimate friend-individ
uals undoubted birth, and breeding
and social standing-arrived early at the
hall, broke the, ribbon and tore off the
plac Ird from one box. When the hostess
went to demonstrate one of the party, a
viscount of lofty name and long
pedigree, shut the box-door in her face.
add no comment on this incident, !
which l know to be true, having learned |
the facts from the lady who gave the
entertainment.