Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-21
FOREIGNERS BLUNDERS
ERRORS OF MEN IN CUSTOMS AND
SPEECH OF STRANGE LANDS.
American, Japanese, French and Other
Ambassadors and Consuls Victims
Of Ludicrous Mistakes.

Thornwell Haynes, United states CONSUL Ut houeht
In the New York Tribune.
1t is told of an American ambassador
freshly arrived at st. Petersburg-his wire
reluctantly left IN America because OF an
expected addition to the famtly-that when
asked In public audience, And how are
things at homer" Uhe car meaning. OF
course. affairs of state). replied: 'Oh, 1
lave just received a telegram that 1t Is
girlw When the other ambassadors gdggled
he looked foolish, and believing that his
mistake consisted in not asking In return
after the health of the czarina. who at the
moment was also the more beloved be-
cause a child was expected, ran after his
majesty, and throwing a hand famiitarV
upon his shoulder. asked: And your wife
is 1t girl or a boyT'
A Japanese near to the throne was once
appointed minister to Belgium. Upon ar
irving he was puzzled to understand why
the street urchins Of Brussels, amused at
his attire and that of his suite. were corr
tinually sticking thumb to their noses.
Finally he asked his Interpreter the reason
o. it. The latter, in sympathy with tne
orthy Japanese's feelings, told him 1t was
the highest possible mark of respect one
could give In Belgium. Some time later.
while the king was receiving visit from
the ambassador his highness was mortified
to see the Japanese stick his thumb to his
nose and wriggle his fingers. The poor in
terpreter however, was equal to the occa-
sion, and before his highness could order
the yellow celestial from his presence ex-
planned that in Japan 1t was the highest
known mark of respect one could pay an
other.
Got Mixed on Numerals.
In the old days when American consuls
were appointed less for fitness than for
political reasons one who could understand
Just enough French to be misunderstood
was sent to a French city. His wife was
fond Of sweets and he liked to please her.
On starting for a promenade one afternoon
he was asked by her to please buy 'tquatre
meringues" for dinner. Entering a cake
shop on one of the boulevards, he asked the
mademoiselle who came to serve him:
"Avez-vous Quatre meringues?' 'Oui, mon
sieur." Then give me six, please" he said.
Later, when he had learned French numer-
ais he often told the joke on himself
Some years ago Frenchman was sent as
consul to America. He. like all other
Frenchmen, was proud of his mustache.
and was proud that 1t stuck up high. I'm
fortunately. he was not too familiar with
the English language, and, upon entering
drug store one morning. expressed him.
self as anxious to buy stick for his mus
tache.
A woman now living in Washington,
where her husband Is closely connected with
churches at a fruit stand in Germany. since
which time she has never forgotten that
"kirche'' is not the German word for cherry.
The same lady, while living In Russia, in
reply to the domestic servant as to what
meat should be cooked for dinner. said: "Oh,
We will cook the master today" meaning
mutton. which word In Russian IA very like
that for master.
Spoke It Small
Some months ago entered a commercial
house in Rouen on business. A French
man. taking me for an Englishman. asked:
do you speak Engleesh?" answered,
Yes. do your"
YES" he said. II speakes 1t a leetle-
beetle" My smile indicated a fault in his
grammar. which he ruinously attempted to
correct by saying, ''Oh I mean I speak 1t
very small"
A young American. anxious to study
abroad. but not having the means. accepted
poorly paid consulate in Germany. Be
fore leaving home he was upon the point
Of declining the position because he could
not speak German. and was afraid Of the
consequences which might result His wife,
however, persuaded him that she could
speak the language very we'll, and would
tide them over the difficulties until they
learned the tongue. Four weeks after his
arrival he stroled into the waiting room Of
one of the principal railroad stations. Two
EngliShmen were there. and Immediately
he heard their voices he threw up his hands
exclaiming: God bless you! That's the
first word Of English I've heard in an age
My wife fooled me over here by telling me
she could speak German. We've been here
month and nobody has understood a word
she has said Can't you come and take
dinner with u.s."