The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-10
AMONG TEE CELESqlALS
The Chinaman a Perfect Being as
a Waiter.
Coolies All Go by the Name of John
When Addressed by Foreign Resi-
dents-Remarkablc Memory of the
Chinese-Skctclles From the Note
Book of an American Consul.

great deal has been written about thu
pcculiarities of the Chinaman's character
Fastidious foreigners object to his fancy
for cat and dog diet; they are overcome
by the odors which emanate frcm his habi-
tations. In truth, the Chinese coolie is not
| dainty creature; but he is a good ser
want; he is quick; he is honest: he is
faithful; he is as regular in the perform
ance of his duties as clockwork; and he
can be forced to some degree Of cleanli-
ness.
| In the big foreign hotels which abound
| in all the treaty ports-Horgkong, Shang
,, hal. etc.--as a waiter he is perfect. He
/ wears loose white robe, Immediately
clean; milk white stockings. with black
satin slippers; shiny black pigtail d.
vides his back from neck to heels. He
moves about as silently as a cat His
duties once having been explained to him,
he never forgets. He is reliable.
At the American Consulate he was
housekeeper, chambermaid, and butler.
He did the marketing. and should any COM
plant arise in regard TO the cooking, this
head servant considered it his duty to
whip the cook, another Chinaman. He
wears clean white cotton gown-that is
OF course in summer-May 10 September
when the temperature ranges from So to
80 degrees His black house slippers
have noiseless paper soles. He speaks the
iargon of the treaty ports. known as
"Pidgin English" When dinner is ready
he presents himself, with hands carefully
concealed In the loose, flowing sleeves OF
his dress-a sign OF respect-and says,
with deep bow:
Master. come catchee chow
Should he be little out of temper, and
wish to show the slightest degree Of dis
respect, he will allow small portion of
one hand TO be seen. and say:
Chow have got"
Master" in order that the domestic
machinery may run smoothly, must adapt
himself to the language OF his man SER
want. Should he be asked to go upstairs
and fetch my slippers" he would stare
in bewilderment.
John. makee go top side and catchee
slippers"
This is perfectly Ineligible to John,
the name by which all foreign residents
call the servant.
The average Chinaman possesses a re-
markable memory. He will learn to make
himself understood in almost any foreign
quires an intelligent Euglishman or
American TO make himself understood in
any one of the many Chinese dialects.
This disparity has led to some curious an
omaIies in the trade of the country. Thus
at all the open ports trade with foreign
ers is carried On by means of middlemen,
or agents, who are always natives. They
are called "compradores.~
If a foreign merchant wishes to buy
MI. toll 81
native product he must do so through his |
com pradore" If he wishes to sell any !
article of foreign product to a native house |
he must again call in the 'compradore.
The "compradore" employs all the ser
wants Of the foreigners establishment,
fixes their salaries and is responsible for
their honesty He keeps the foreign trad
er's bank account Strengthened out with
the native bankers, and makes o1t ship
ping lists and invoices. Practically. though
nominally a mere upper servant. lie is
the real head of the house. and his word
is law He is usually a shrewd fellow.
and watches closely his employers inter-
ests, not forgetting his own He has GER
lain legitimate commissions, or "squeezes,
as they are called. on all of his transact
tions. His income is considerable.
foreign merchant. having acquired
after long residence sufficient knowl-
,dge of the language. decides that his buSi-
1ess is too much in the hands Of natives.
md dismsses his "compradore." He goes
n person to some native hong and asks
or samples and quotations. He is polite
y shown through the establishment and
otherwise treated with consideration. But
when. with view to buying. he enquiries
or prices. he gets No have got for an
wer. He goes to another hong" and
mother and another. but always with the
anne result. No one has anything to sell.
III are behind with their orders! Let the
oreign dealer return to his Office and send
lis "compradore" on the same errand and
lis orders will be promptly filed. This is
o IN every department of business where
oresaers are concerned. In all of the
/ eGtg ports the financial affairs of every
oraign house practically are in the hands
( the natives. Foreign merchants cannot
ope to reach the market except through
class of middlemen. This is the ire
ocabie custom of the country. Thus COM
lerce has utterly foiled to break down the
arriers between these strange people and
he outside world.
at was first at Chin Kiang." writes the
american Consul in his notebook, that