The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-10-20
ODD SALUTATIONS.
EXCHANGE OF CoURTEsIES IN
DIFFERENT COUNTRIES.
Customs Of the GreenIander-Jap-
anese and Chinamen-Remov-
ing Articles of Dress-Thc
Kiss and Its History.

before superior, but Greenlander would
laugh ut this. The climate of their coun-
try no doubt deters them from perform
ing the first part of our salutatior, but
why they should laugh at the latter part
is quite a mystery. The islanders in the
eastern seas, again, take the hand or the
foot of stranger and rub their face with
It in token of respect. The Laplander
has still more curious, and, to our
mind, almost ridiculous method of salu-
tation-viz., that of rubbing noses.
There is custom prevalent among
the inhabitants of New Guinea which
betokens high strung spirits. We refer
to the salutation which is performed by
placing leaves and boughs on the head
of the persons saluted as symbols of
peace and friendship. In one of the
islands of the archipelago the natives sa-
luted an old Dutch traveller in the fol-
lowing way: They took his left leg,
pissed it over the right one and thence
over his face. In the Philippine Islands
the natives in saluting bend very low,
place their hands on their cheeks and
raise at the same time one foot in the
air, with their knees bent. But what
would European think if friend in
saluting him should deprive him of his
clothes and leave him half naked2 This.
however, is an extreme case, and is only
practised by the natives of some districts
in Africa.
Taking off some of the dress as mode
of salutation is quite common. The Jap
tnlr off oil ha
Aracan take off their sandals in the
street and their stockings within doors.
Bending and then turning the face is
another of the Japanese methods of
saluting. The turned face is symbol
of unworthiness. In the interior of
Africa the chiefs salute each other by
swapping their middle finger; but of all
the salutations the most remarkable is
the one described by Athenaus. This
old writer states that the inhabitants of
Carmena, used to salute their friends by
draining blood from their own bodies
and presenting it as beverage to be
drunk.
Tearing the hair was Frankish salu-
tation, and in the days of slavery the
slave usually cut off part of his hair,
which he presented to his master or
superior.
The Dutch, who are considered great
eaters, salute each other in the morning
with the words: ''May you cat hearty
dinner" Ano her of their salutations
is: GLOW do you sail?" This latter salu-
tation is no doubt remnant of ancient
times, when the Dutch were for the most
part sailors and fishermen.
A Span;ard in saluting his friend asks
him: "How he stan is2"-a question
very characteristic of the portly and
leisurely gait of the Spanish people. A
Frenchman, again, asks his companion:
elbow he carries himself2"-another of
these questions that reveals the nature of
the ouestioncr and the questioned, be-
cause it is one essentially relating to
person accustomed to 60 about with a
gay and inccssaIt motion, which we in
deed know is the style of Frcnchman.
In China, again, the lower orders sa'
Lutte each other by asking whether to-
d .ys rice be eaten. This is rather low
method of saluting person, but it is not
characteristic of the Chinese nation as Il
whole, for they are polite to the extreme,
going even the length of counting the
number of their reverences and bows.
Should they respect q person they raise
their hands joined and then lower them
to the earth, bending the body. Sup
posing two men separated for years
should meet, then they both fall on their
knees and bend their faces to the earth,
repeating the ceremony two or even three
times. The compliments and expressions
of goodwill are abundant among the
Chinese. Every we'll; thanks to your
abundant felicity" is q reply to one
questioning another regarding his
health. On returning thanks for q
favor the Chinese say: My thanks shall
be immortal" But.the truth is, these an
tiquatcd people carry such matters almost
to the border of absurdlty; they have q
ritual or academy of ceremonies III which
all the formalities are carefully tabu-
lated, such as the number of bows, ex-
prcssions and genuaexions. But this is
not all, for they enumerate the number
of silent gestures to be used when an ln-
vitation is given to one to enter house.
These customs are not confined to the
upper class, but also prevail among the
lower orders. They have Il tribunal be-
fore which all ambassadors must appear
forty times before they enter the pres
ence of royalty.
England has also an expression quite
alien to it. We refer to the words ''Your
humble servant" This term came from
France in the seventeenth century, when
Henrietta Maria, daughter of Henry w.,
was married to Charles l.. of England.
Before that time the usual method was
"God keep you," and among the vulgar,
elbow dost do 2" with a thump on the
shoulder.
To bite the ear was anciently on ex-
preston of cndearment, and it is still SO
far retained by the French that to pull a
man by the ear is sure token of good
will. A French salutation is complex
affair. The gentlemen and others of the
male sex lay hands on the shoulders and
touch the sides of each others cheeks;
but on being introduced to lady they
say to the father. brother, or friend,
"Permittcz MOI" and salute each of her
cheeks.
The goat mark of reverence in saluta-
ton is kissing. Could we write history
of kissing, practically illustrated, and
intersperscd with little "scenes" and
"reminiscences, what sale we should
be able to command. All know that
love is shown in q kiss, but, leaving the
end of kissing, let us present to our
readers a short account Of it as mere
salutation. and therefore shorn of much
of its pristine interest.
In q history written about the wear PHO