The Irish standard., 1901-07-13
Rudeness Of Americans Abroad j..

Boston Herald. discussing why foreign
ers rarely are found in the highcs1
Mexican society, says:
SIN all the countries where the Latil
tradition and customs prevail rht
home life is seldom shown to strang
ers. and l am speaking Of the intimate
life of the upper class. There is. 6l
course, the barrier of language; it is
very infrequent that foreigner in
Mexico takes the trouble to acquire
Spanish we'll enough to mingle in cult
waited society. 1t is astonishing how
many fairly intelligent foreigners in
Mexico live on for years knowing moth
ing of the true home life of the best
people.
"Most foreigners acquire. in theil
first year, large stock of prejudiccs
if Protestants, they believe all the
current gossip against the clergy and
the church. and the church is very
dear to the Mexican ladies. They re.
sent the comDlon Misrepresentation of
their faith and it's ministers. and SO
come to regard all "exiranjeros," or
foreigners, as troublesome heretics
who have come here to make the
money that they failed to obtain in
their own countries. In word, the
foreigner is usually regarded as ain
adventurer, no matter il he is man
of large affairs and brings much CAPT
tai into the country.
''The free and easy manner of tour
lists who often leave their manners be-
hind them when they cross into Next
co are responsible for much of the
social prejudice against "los extran-
jeros." Men and women enter a
church during Mass, talk loudly, take
snapshots of the altar or a shrine,
disturb the worshippers, and depart.
leaving, an impression of vulgarity and
lack of common decency of feeling.
A kodak tiend, without asking per-
mission, enters the charming court
yard of great house and takes pict-
ures. He may not be asked to leave,
but his action is regarded as another
evidence of the lack of courtesy and
breeding on the part of those rude
foreigners
'"The other afternoon, on n street
car, noticed one of those pleasing ac-
tions which so endear the foreigner to
the MeXicans. Two young Mexican
ladies, dressed simply in black, CIV
ing no evidence, except in quiet ele-
gance of attire, Of the fact that they
were wealthy, both of them young
women of travel and accomplishments,
occupied seats on the shady side of
the car. They understood English as
well as you or do.
enters a sandy-bearded man with
earmarks of a newly arrived evangc-
list to broader and better faith.
He is accompanied by his wife,
frcckled, yet not uncommonly, pa
tient-loolling woman, but tactless and
Of no social training. The evangelist
and his wife take seats on the sunny
side Of the car. The afternoon is hot,
tropically so, for there has been no
rain.
"3y and by the man assigned to res
cue Mexico from the bottolnless pit,
and incidently to overthrow the pa
gan idolatry of this POpish land re-
marks to his wife: The other side is
cooler" and taking her by the hand
she is q bit reluctant--passes over
where the young ladies are sitting,
and, without one word of apology,
without the customary with permits
sion,' fairly pushes the ladies to one
side and squeezes in himself, making
room also for his wife, who is not
wholly pleased with her share in this
rude performance.
"The Mexican ladies looked at each
other in half frightened, half aston.
ished way, then smiled as if they saw
something comical in the situation
and resumed their interrupted CONVEX
sation. The excellent pastor of al
alien flock appeared as if he had done
perfectly proper thing in taking ur
the room which had meant ease and
comfort to the ladies. Anyhow, they
were only natives.
"And in this way we go forth to con
quer hearts and rescue souls in Porte
Rico, Cuba and the Philippines! Gu,
inward graces must make up for Oul
outward lack of polteness, and let US
hope the natives DISCERN our true
spiritual goodness and the benevolence
Of our intentions.
1.-The Supreme Court at Washington
may lay down high imperial law ant
make us feel that we are masters OF
the bodies and souls of the people VIZ
have rescued from the cruel grasp o.
Spain, but 1t cannot enjoin on us to be
have with our best company manners
when we go to view the natives II
e5~
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