Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-09-11
FRIENDLY GREETINGS.
Forms of Salutation Employed tn
 Ni&erent Countries.
The American and English Mode of Hano Shaking-Lands Where Hat-Lnting Is the Recognized Form-The Impet-
 uous Moorish Salute.

In walking down busy thoroughfare an observer can not help remarking the differ ent manners in which the various travellers, pedestrians, or otherwise greet one another, says the London Globe. Among the Anglo Saxon race, as typified by the Americans and English, the most common and general salutation is that of shaking hands. This is, of course, only done on coming in close contact, and but once in a day with the same person is sufficient So peculiarly En- glish is it held to be by European continen- tai nations, that if man wishes to be par Gcularly attentive to a traveller from Great Britain or America he will insist on shak- ing hands with him as often as he can get the chance There are those who claim to form their opinion of Q stranger from the way in which he gives his hand. Even if it is not possible for the people to approach near enough for this friendly grip, the man. ner in which one person recognizes another is legion. A gentleman approaching lady watches her closely to see whether she will bow to him. If so, off goes his hat Hardly two men, however, do this simple act in the same way. One flourishes it at arms length; another hardly raises it from his head Q third exposes his side, as if he were asking a charity, while a fourth seems frightened lest by some mischance he should disarrange his hair The fair lady, too, does not always return the salute in the same way.
 Cross the channel, however and one is in land where hat-hfting is the recognized salutation. It appears at first curious to a native of American or English soil to see not too-clsan coal-heaver or peddler solemn ly raise bis head covering-it does not al ways amount to as much as a hatr-to an equally dirty brother workman with an air many young dudes might envy, but in time one fails to notice such things. On enter ing and leaving shop, no matter how small, the polite man again uncovers his head, while each of these actions is always accompanied by an appropriate word of greeting. The peasants in Spain, in the country, on meeting a stranger offer him as Q salutation portion of the bread they al- ways carry with them. Of course it is re- fused with thanks, and great would be the astonishment of the would-be donor were it accepted. In Germany-in fact, pretty well all over the continent-to pass man or woman on country road without saying a friendly greeting is looked upon very i'm polite, and the person doing so would cer- tainly be regarded as a stranger. Among the French and Belgians especially the hab- 1t Of men embracing one another is quite common, father and son, or two intimate
 
 others arms and kissing in public.
 The Malays and other Polynesians salute by smelling. This is performed by rubbing noses. A former resident of New Zealand says that on meeting after an absence of some tune two Maories seize hands and rub noses violently, at the same time loudly weeping, presumably from the pleasure of seeing each other, or perhaps from the pain of friction. In India the Buddhist salute by lowering the palm of the right hand and bringing it up toward the face, at the same time saying; "Ram, ram chair" The Mo hamedans do the same, but simply say: "Salaam." This is only done in either case by members of the same faith. The saluta- ton is always made, too, with the right hand, to use the left being considered an in- suit These Eastern nations have a strong objection to uncovering the head, but, on the other hand, consider it exceedingly dis respectful to enter the presence of 8 superior with the feet covered. The Chi nese have a regular code of salutations, eight in number, which define the proper amount of respect to be- paid to different in- dividuals. The one which is perhaps most familiar to us is that when at the new year the Chinaman clasps his hands together and, gently lowing, wishes his friends the compliments of the seasen. Two curious greetings which these people have among themselves are those of asking each other Have you eaten rice!" and " Is your stom- ach in good orderl" The Japanese show respect on meeting by bending the knee, though in the street they only make feint of so doing. This is the general salute, but there are many others which are required from interiors on encountering those of higher positions.
 A stranger coming among the Moors for the first time would, perhaps, be astonished and little frightened by seeing one of them riding at full gallop toward him as if he were intending to execute cavalry charge. His fears might perhaps be in- creased when this horseman, when almost close to hls apparent victim, suddenly refined up and discharged pistol over his head. Recovering from his astonishment, however, he would find that this is the Moorish way of welcoming a stranger. Natives of the gold coast have still another | mode of salutation. They lower their robe from the left shoulder with the right hand, and gracefully bow, though if it is great man they salute, and they wish to be par ucularly respectful, the whole robe is re- moved, exposing the breast. Egyptians | greet one another with remark peculiar tc their country: "How goes the perspira, tion2" The military salute required in | nearly all civilized countries is nearly the same. Perhaps in Germany, however, the regulations are somewhat more stringent 1 A soldier on meeting the Emperor has tc stand still, face about, and remain with
 hand raised for from twelve to twenty paces before his Majesty approaches to the same distance after he has passed. In Bel gium an officer has to do the same for the King, and subalternss for Generals, though ten paces only are required for the latter case. Soldiers carrying any thing so that
 their hands are occupied salute with their l eyes-that is, they turn their heads in the direction of the person coming and going
 French officers raise their caps to each
 other, but the privates do as the privates in 1 other armies do.