The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-06-30


kind"'
A Mexican woman of the old nobility
OF the country, wealthy and of long resi-
oence abroad, witty. of linguistic accom-
pnshments and much social experience
In Europe as at home, said:
do not invite foreigners to my table,
not even diplomats, for they are too
crltlca1 OF the service, and here you
know that it is impossible to nave such
well trained servants as in France or
England. I have been hurt in my feel
tngs at my own table, at the quiet
amusement of guests when something
went wrong, some blunder in service.
And as foreigners will make no allow
ances for our domestic shortcomings I
close my doors to them. In Paris I
should entertain foreigners for there I
could be sure of my servants. But we
MeXicans do not want to be laughed at,
and that, perhaps, by people VINO are not
at home, in their own countries of our
class. One does not know who they are
or what is their origin. The lower their
extraction the greater their presumption
here"
Other Mexican women Of the very first
| rank in society, wealthy and handsome
ly gowned from Paris, say the same
thing. They are afraid of the "merciless
criticism" Of foreigners. Sometimes they
Will entertain visiting party from the
United States or England, but only when
their husbands insist en- their doing so,
Tor business reasons, there being some
financial connection WITH the foreign
men But this duty dinner" over, the
nigh class Mexican dana retires to her
privacy and will have no more of the
outlandersl When the word is passed
around that certain visiting foreigners
invited to a Mexican mans house do MT
arrive at the dinner hour, because they
have been diverting themselves too
earnestly, one can T. 9.iZe that the for
eigner is not regarded as ben educado."
The free and easy manners of tourists,
who often leave their manners behind
wnen they cross into Mexico, are re-
sponsible for much of the social pre1u-
dice aga INST les extranjeros." Men and
women enter a church during mass, talk
loudly, take snapshots of the altar or a.
shrine disturb the worshippers and de-
part leaving an impression of Vulgarty
and lack of common decency of feeling
A kodak iend, without asking permits
sion, enters the charming courtyard Of
great house and takes pictures He
may not be asked to leave, but mis- action
is regarded as another evidence Of the
lack of courtesy and breeding on the
part Of those rude foreigners"
The other afternoon, on a ctreet car,
noticed one Of those pleasing actions
which so endear the foreigner to the
Mexicans. Two young Mexican women,
dressed simply in black, giving no evil
dence, except in a quiet elegance of at
tire, 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 1 do.
Enters a sandy bearded man with the
earmaTks of a newly arrived evangelist,
come to convert these rude pagans to a
broader and better faith. He is accom-
panied by his wife, freckled, yet not I'M
comely, a patient looking 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
ran.
By and by the man assigned to rescue
Mexico from the bottomless pit, and in
cidentally to overthrow 1.-The pagan idol
airy of this popish land remarks to his
wife The other side is cooler" and TAX
ing her by the hand-she is a bit re-
luctant-passes over where the young
women are sitting, and without one word
of apology, without the customary with
permission" fairly pushes the women 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 women looked at each
other in 81 half frightened, half aston
ished way, then smiled as If they saw
something conical in the situation, and
resumed their interrupted conversation.
The excellent pastor Of an alien flock ap-
peared as if he had done a perfectly
proper thing in taking up the room which
had meant case and comfort to the
women. Anyhow, they were "'only
natives
The Latin has one governing principle
of action in society; he will not willingly
offend you, and he resents intended Of
Tense. Acting on this social plan, life
flows on very charningly here Rarely
will one receive a gross insult, even
harsh grating word. There are Mexicans
with bad manners, and their fame is
widespread among all their &C
quaintainces. 'So-and-so is muy
grosero," one hears, and the rude person
is socially ostracized.
Foreigners who are considerate who
learn something of the language, even
Just enough to show that they are in
country not their own, who are polite
and kindly, get on we'll. But all they do
in the best sort of missionary work, as
pioneers of our best civilization, some
raucous voiced despiser of Mexicans I'M
does. The decent well bred foreigners
have to suffer for the sins Of the rude
compatriot.
A foreign woman went to a charming
and historic interior CITY, and her ex-
cellent manners and good heart won her
the regard Of the people. With her was
a man who had joined her party on
the railway train, ard continued to go
about with them. The foreign visitors
were invited one afternoon to the house
of wealthy Mexican woman, long resi-
dent Of that city, who speaks excellent
English, but who did not Immediately
air her accomplishment While the for
eigners were in her drawing room there
was talk Of having the daughter of the
family sing some Mexican songs. They
were being gently urged to overcome
their modesty by the foreign woman,
who is, 1 believe, a New Yorker, when
the man who had attached himself to
her party said, impatiently: "Oh, don't
make such a fuss about them they're
only Indians, you know!'
The Mexican hostess was hurt to the
quick, but being perfectly well bred,
ade no sign OF having understood.
Naturally a chill fell on the reunion,
and when the foreign woman could get
nd Of the "extranjero grosero' the next
day she returned to the house to ex-
press her regrets and modification, and
was most politely received.
These are but samples Of the rude
ness which Is too often shown the ma
tives,' who are supposed to have no
feelings, no education, and to be proper
subjects for iInpolite and unfeeling re-
marks. One comes to understand WHY
wars break out and people grow to hate
che another.
People travelling seem to be at their