The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-02-04
POLITENESS IN OLD MEXICO.
Extravagant Ways in which 1t Is
shown by Persons of Various
From the Two Republics.

From the Two Republics.
The principal characteristic of the Mex
lean is undoubtedly his unchanging po-
likeness.
"Oh, how deliciously potter is phrase
we hear every day from the lips of for
eign ladies when they enjoy the not IN
usual sight of two natives. ragged beyond
descriptions. perhaps, who stop a horse
car in the street and keep it standing while
each insists with elegant bows and now
ing compliments that the other precede
him in gong up the steps.
After YOU sir"
Not at all 1 am unworthy of such a
high honor.G
II dare not take precedence, sir"
ut is only what is due your superiority.
Walk up, please"
mot for all the world. You are en-
titled to that preference"
This goes on for some time, until the
car begins to move, and both fling them
selves at once upon the steps, smashing
the corns of another man standing on the
platform, an accident that gives rise TO
new effusions of good breeding.
"Oh, sir. how sorry 1 am 10 have trod
on your feet. l sincerely entreat you to
excuse my oversight"
his teeth and with tears in his eyes, ''it
is an honor to be trod on by you"
Thanks for your kindness"
Il am myself 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 personalities, but no othes
nation equals the stately dignity of Mex
can courtesy.
If it is a, great luxury to be taught how
to bow and what to do under all circum-
stances by a gentleman who knows These
things because he belongs to the Euro
pean aristocracy and has behind him a
line of ancestors who behaved as well as
they could in such matters, ii is surprising
to observe in a whole nation, even in the
humblest classes, courtesy not produced
by artificial means, but gracefully and re-
finedly practiced as special endowment
OF nature.
Persons in other countries are rarely
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.
L will cite few authentic experiences
in illustration of the subject:
An American young lady was once talk
ing with an old Mexican gentleman and
she laughingly said something about hav-
ing some literary work to do.
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 lovely mouth"
Apother young woman was overheard to
say in English to her mother in the thea
ter:
Look at that Mexican girl. DO you like
her? l think her nose is too long and her
features are too sharp"
Whereupon the Mexican girl said "A 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 l have laid my ewes
on, and l never get tired of looking a,
your charming face
young man who happened to be acct
dentally struck in one of his eyes by
pretty 16-year-old damsel with her nara
sol, said appealingly while the blood flow
ed from the wound:
Lovely one, be not cruel, seeing that
cruelty and beauty cannot dwell togeth
err"
Nowhere will the stranger find more
civility and kindness than among the Mex
leans.
Their houses, their families, their horses
their flowers, their time, even their lives
are placed, figuratively, at least, at ''your
disposition"
"A los pies de listed, sonora" (my lady
I am at your feeD, is the prescribed form
of salutation from gentleman who meets
lady, while If two gentlemen meet thew
address one another as follows: "Beso a
listed la mano q kiss your hand)
The same applies TO written CORRESPOND.
ence. A note from a gentleman to a lady
ends in this wise: Soy de ", sonora af.
ento servidor, Q. IS. PIP. b." The mi
tials are for que sus pies besa," and the
whole phrase stands for II am. NV ladt,
your attentive servant, who kisses YOUR
feet"
II a gentleman is addressed in writing
only his hands are kissed not his feet.
These formula are followed not only
by the richer, but by all classes. AS to the
poorest, their courtesy toward one another
is widely different from the grun. boorjsh
intercourse of the plebeians of other ma
tons.
The poor of Mexico cannot frame a sem
tence without employing one or more
terms of endearment.
Como estas, mi aIma7" GLOW are YOU
my souD. The words they address each
other speak of the gentle consideration
for the feelings of their neighbors. which