The Dickinson press., 1889-01-05
IN LONDON AND PARIS,
cuRloslTlEs OF SHOPPING IN THE
TWO CAPITALS.
English and French Saleswomcn-Ret Sand
In tho Roadway-Politencss Carried to
an Extreme-Competition in Tratlc--Au
bon Marchc-Employcs.

IN tho observation-disclosures Carried to
an Extreme-Competition in Tratlc-Au
Bon Marcl,c-Employcs.
If one were to judge of the physique of En-
glish women from the specimens he sees in
the shops, behind the counters, he would set
them down for n very tall race, but if he in-
quires into the subject he will find that these
women are selected for their very height
the taller their figure the higher their salary,
very often. a stranger with an observing
eye will also notice that English and French
saleswomen, or salesladies, us they are called
i'll New York, dress in black while on duty.
This, however, is not n mere caprice OH tho
part of tho women; in most shops it is COM
pulsory. Tho shopkccpcrs believe that shop
women look ncater and better in black than
i'll colors, and so all of them wear black Tho
gowns may be of my material, but the color
must bc uniformly black. Nor arc they al
lowed to wear Snowy trimmings; and rs for
jcwelry, either real or imitation, it is out of
the question. In some shops they, or, rather,
they must, wear n simple, plain linen collar
and linen cuffs. This is the case at Whitey's,
the largest snop i'll London, and some say
even larger than tho world famous Bon
Marche of Paris.
a close locker on, with an ego to detail,
will also notice that red sand is placed i'll tho
roadway i'll front of tho main entrance to
the largest and most fashionable London
shops. There arc two OF three reasons for
this: First, it serves to show where drivers of
carria ses should pull up" second, in start
ing tho horses it prevents them from slipping
OH the smooth wooden pavement; third, tho
red sand is q strong contrast in color to the
dark wooden pavement, and being placed
with nce caro- on tho roadway, i'll oblong
shape, about ten feet by five, it gives the front
quite aM ornamental appearance.
PoLITENESS IN THE EXTREME.
There is such great competition i'll the re-
tail trade i'll London and Paris that dealers
arc put to their wits ends to attract custom
and to keep it. Tho attendants carry polite.
ness TO the extreme, and their manners, to
an American, seem almost obscquious If
You hand them anything they will of course
thank you, as they should, but if they hand
you an article or some change for instance,
they will also thank you for taking it. If n
dealer sends you receipt it will be usually
signed "Rcccivcd payment, with best
thanks" This custom has also found its way
among New York tradcsmen of late years
1t is 10 news that conductors and tickets
examiners on French and English railways
will invariably add ''plcase" in asking for
Your tickets, and just as invariably will they
au,libly "thank' you when you pass tho
ticket over. But more than this-evcry cab.
man i'll London will thank you when rcceiv-
ing his fare and SO will every omnibus con-
ductor when you hand him penny or even
n half penny (olo cent for II ride. No mat
ter how illitcratc tho conductor, just as ho
calls out, "Benk, bcnk, benk' (English, bamk)
when plying for passengers, in tho same tone
and style will ho thank you for half
penny fare. You will find gentlemen among
Pullman car conductors in ''thc States" but
who ever heard II New York street car con-
ductor utter thank you when receiving
farcl Why you would wonder what was tho
matter with tho man.
Speaking of competition in trade, there is
ono large house in Liverpool, Lewis, cor
responding with Macy's i'll New York, where
you can have your watch ''thoroughly
cleaned for one shilling twenty-five cents,
md if you mako ever so small purchase
even Il penny cake of honey soap, you may
have your boots cleaned at Lewis without
charge.
AU BON MAncIIE.
But this idea is probably carried out to
III tllS ltlll Ill u1lS Otflef Cty
i'll the world. AT tho universally known Bon
Marcie the husband may play billiards down
stairs while his wife is making purchases on
the floor above. Both of them NAV INDULGE
in II Ii. i.,ht lunch, winc included, without cost.
and III the center of the buildin. there is II
beautifully appointed, high studded salon,
twenty by fifty feet, which is called tho read
ing and writing room Here the customer
will find writing materials, library of
standard books and u supply of periodical
literature from ul countries. All this, mind
you, is free The walls of this salon arc
decorated with fine modern French paintings.
and at ono end of the room, OH II high pc,!cs-
tai, stands n marble bust Of Aristide Bo,lcf-
caut, the founder of this great house.
The store covers n great deal of ground,
fronts several streets and rises to n height of
several stories, but in your wanderings over
the establishment you need not be burlencd
with wraps or umbrellas. At any entrance
you may leave them and get metal check
for the same, of course without Charge. Tic
vast stables of the Bon Marchc ure considered
one of the sights of Paris. They are shown
to visitors daily Mt 3 p. M. The hotel or
boarding house where tho employees live, and
where they have every comfort, is also well
worth a visit if ono has the time Verify Au
Bon Marchc is great and all tho employees
share i'll the profits. Home Journal