The record-union., 1898-02-11
MEXICAN COURTESY.
Some of the Country's Extrava
giant Expressions Of Politeness.

SA0C expressions OF Kol1te001S.
The principal characteristic of the
Mexican is undoubtedly his innate and
unchanging courtesy.
oh, how deliciously polite," is a
phrase we hear every day from the lips
of foreign ladies when they enjoy the
not unusual sight of two natives, rag
ged beyond description, perhaps, who
stop horsecar in the street and keep
1t standing while each insists with ele-
CANT bows and compliments that the
other precede him in going up the
steps,
After you, SIR"
mot at all. I am unworthy of such
a high honor"
dare not take precedence, SIR
1T is only what is due your supe-
riority. Walk up, please"
Not at all. sir. You are entitled to
that preference"
This goes on for some time until the
car begins to move and both fling
themselves at once on the steps,
smashing the corns of another man
standing on the platform, an accident
that gives rise to new effusions of good
breeding.
y
trod on your feet; 1 sincerely entreat
you to excuse my oversight"
Never mind" says the victim, grit
ting his teeth and with tears in his
eyes; ''it is an honor to be trod on by
you
Thanks for your kindness
Il am in duty bound to thank you"
In fact, dudes from over the sea or
from across the Rio Grande may boast
of their wealth and their Parisian-
made trousers; bellies of other lands of
their golden tresses and charming per-
sonalities, but no other nation equals
the stately dignity of Mexican cour-
tesy.
II it is q great luxury to be taught
how to bow and what to do under all
circumstances by gentleman who
knows these things because he belongs
to the European aristocracy and has
behind him line of ancestors who be-
haved as we'll as they could in such
matters, it is surprising to observe in
a whole nation, even in the humblest
classes, courtesy not produced by ar
tificial means, but graceful and re-
finedly practiced as a special endow-
ment of nature.
Persons in other countries are rare
ly treated to such scenes as those we
have attempted to describe. and to
many they might appear exaggerated,
but let those that doubt come and
judge for themselves.
1 will cite few authentic expert
ences in Illustration of the subject:
An American young lady was once
talking with an old Mexican gentle
man, and she laughingly said some
thing about having some literary work
to do.
1t was good to see the old fellow s
impressive manner and air of per-
feet sincerity as he exclaimed:
Work. Miss, such lips as yours
should never mention work You
should be a queen and wear pearls as
beautiful as those incased in your love-
ly MOUTH
Another young woman was over
heard to say in English to her mother
in the theater:
Look at that Mexican girl. Do you
like her? / think her nose is too long
and her features are too sharp"
Whereupon the Mexican girl said in
her most endearing tone. in broken
English:
Miss, as God bestowed on you all
the attributes Of perfect beauty, very
little was left for me. Believe me, you
are the sweetest creature / have laid
my eyes on, and I never get tired of
looking at your charming face"
A young man who happened to be
accidentally struck in one of his eyes
by a pretty sixteen-year-o damsel
with her parasol, said appealingly,
while the blood flowed from the wound
Lovely one, be not cruel, seeing that
cruelty and beauty cannot dwell to-
getheri''
Nowhere will the stranger find more
genuine civility and kindness than
among the Mexicans.
Their houses, their time, even their
lives, are placed, figuratively, at least,
"at your disposition
"A los pies de ", Sonora" (My lady,
I am at your feet), is the prescribed
form of salutation from a gentleman
who meets a lady: while If two gentle
men meet they address one another as
follows: "Beso V. Ia mano'' Il kiss
your hand).
The same applies to written CORES