The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-07-21
FRIENDLY GREETINGS.
New York Graphic

various travellers, pedestrians or other wise greet one another. Among the Anglo Saxon race, as typified by the Americans and English, the most common and general salutation is that of shaking hands. That is, of course, only done in coming ill close contact, and but once in day with the same person is sufficient.
 So peculiarly English it is held to be by European continental nations, says the "Friend" of India, that if a man wishes to be particularly atten- tive to a traveller from Great Britain or America he will insist on shaking hands with him as often as he can get the chance. There are those who claim to form their opinion of stranger from the way in which he gives his hand. Even if it is not pos- sible for the people to approach near enough for this friendly grip, the manner in which one person recog- nizes another is legion. A gentleman approaching lady watches her closely to see whether she will bow to him. Ifso, off goes his hat.
 
 simple act in the same way. One flourishes it at arms length, another hardly raises it from his head l; third exposes side, as if he were asking charity while fourth seems fright ened lest by some mischance he should disarrange his hair. The fair ladv, too, does not always return the salute in the same way. Cross the Channel, however, and one is ill a land where hat-lifting is the recognized salutation. Itappears at first curious to native of America or English soil to see nottoo clean coal -heaver or peddler solemnly raise his head cov- eriDg-it does not always amount to as much as hat-to an equally dirty brother workman with an air many young dudes might envy; but in time one fails to notice such things.
 On entering and leaving shop, no matter how small, the polite man again uncovers his head, while each of the actions is always accompanied by an appropriate word of greeting. The peasants in Spain, in the country, on meeting a stranger offer him as salutation a portion of the bread they always carry with them. Of course it is refused with thanks, and great would be the astonishment of the would be donor were it accepted. In Germany-in fact, pretty we'll all over the continent-to pass man or woman on country road without saying friendly greeting is looked upon as very impolite, and the person doing so would certainly be regarded as stranger.
 Among the French and Belgians especially the habit of men embracing one another is quite common, father and son or two intimate friends think ing nothing of falling into each others arms and kissing in public. Colder tempered nations consider such effu- sions unnecessary, and believe there is just as much feeling in the warm grip of the hand and few words of welcome. 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 time 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 Buddhists salute by lowering the palm of the right hand and bringing it up towards the face, at the same time saying, "Ram, ram, chair" The Mohammedans do the same, but simply say, "Salaam." This is only done in either case by mem- bers of the same faith. The salutation is always made, too, with the right hand, to use the left being considered an insult. These eastern nations have a strong objection to uncovering the head. but on the other hand consider it exceedingly disrespectful to enter tbe presence of a superior with the feet covered. The Chinese have reg ular code of salutations, eight in num- Der, which define the proper amount of respect to be paid to different in- dividuals.
 The one which is perhaps most familiar to San Franciscans is that when at the New Year the Chinaman clasps his hands together, and, gently lowing, wishes his friends the com- pliments of the season. Two curious greetings which these people have among themselves are those Qf asking each other: "Have you catch rice ?" The Japanese show respect on meeting by bending the knee, though in the street they only make . feint of % doing. This is the general salute, but there arc many others which arc re- quired from interiors on encountsring those in higher positions.
 A stranger coming among the