Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1886-11-13
CUBAN ETIQUETTE.

Elusive PoIfteness in Heightened Spanish
society.
The Havana correspondent OF the New
Orleans Times Democrat writes:
I received a letter a few days age
from Cuban. On the upper left hand
corner of the outside of the envelope
were the initials B. l.. P. Now, any one
who has studied Spanish knows that B.
L. P. or B. l.. M. in letter Of extreme
politeness and etiquette, are used at the
close of letter, but the use of these in
itials on the envelope I hardly think is
as familiar to the general student of
Spanish. This is very usual, both here
and in Spain on letters of some cere-
mony, and it is de rigueur on the envel-
opes of ceremonious notes, invitations,
etc.
Ladies writing to gentlemen, or to
each other, or gentlemen writing to each
other, use B. l.. M.-"Beso las pies' Il
kiss the hands). Gentlemen writing to
ladies use B. l.. P.-"Beso las pies" 1
kiss the feet). The compliment, Of
course, for the hands and feet of the
party written to. The many expressions
of friendship, respect, ETC., used at the
close of the Spanish letter are not suffi-
cient without the usual B. l.. NJ. or B.
L. P. The following ELUSIVE form is
much used in writing to a person even
of very slight acquaintance: "With the
sincerest professions Of sympathy and
friendship from her affectioDate servant,
who B. l.. p" kisses her feet), etc. To
use one set OF initials for the other shows
great ignorance Of the etiquette and
convenienoes of society.
A Cuban lady of my acquaintance re-
ceived on her fete day the usual compli
ments of a visiting card under cover
from gentleman. On looking 1T the
envelope she threw up her head with
jerk and remarked that lone could easily
see that man did not know anything, or
he never would have put B. l.. NJ, in
stead of B. l.. P, on an envelope sent to
q lady"
1 must acknowledge that 1 could not
the nice difference. But after
all, on reflection, there certainly is some
difference between B. l.. N. and B. L.
P, and it is only matter of Spanish
taste which is the most agreeable pro-
ceeding.
This is only one Of the very little
polite nothings of this very polite peo-
pie.
On being presented to stranger-if
a lady-instead of the usual bow, more
or less gracious, OF our country, there is
q cordial shake Of the hand, accompanied
by an extravagantly polite speech ex-
pressing the very great happiness this
meeting has caused, ending with an offer
TO you from the lady of her house, which |
Is, In other words, an invitation for you
10 visit her. A single man goes through
The same style of complimental speech |
and concludes by telling you that he
ives at such number in such street,
and begs that if you need his services
Tou will call on him.
Whether sincere or not, these little
polite forms are the fowery adornments
If speech, and help to make the refine
nents and illusions of life, more or less
agreeable. according to the view one
,akes of them. What would be received
~ an American woman as an imper-
ineroe is received by Cuban with a
gracious smile and a "gracias," said in
! most pleasant tone of voice, as, for in
tance, on being helped into her carriage
~ a man who is complete stranger to
Ter. II a gentleman is passing Cd the
treet when lady is about to enter her
arriage- If no gentleman is with her
le hands her into her carriage. This is
considered here only what man who is
gentlemen would do under such cir
umstances. Compliments are some
lines paid by gentlemen to ladies on the
treet, but are considered "5ad style"