New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-14
W4YS or FRENCH CLERKS
Hoe They Differ from the Ame,;
can Type.
Written for The Tribune By the wife Of tn, AM,
Consul a. ROuen France

A strlngsr visiting France for the frs.
will probably be struck by learning that -
flesh is served as beefsteak and thar an. -.
board a train from the side, but nothf,, =
appear more remarkable than the msthos. J.
French cIerl1
An American passing through Rou-, s0-.
time ago remarked to me: Il lost s,v,, .
my baggage. which was sent on to Part, -,
needed some handkerchiefs, but the elerk :.
fused to sell less than twelve He shovs5 ~.
same tmpOHteneSS when asked for a .0,.-
Why. not knowing how collars are uuubs-.,
In France, what use had I for a dozen wsr-s
might find too small or too larger
replied that later she would perhans g.,
the clerk quite right and related to her n.
story OF the shopper who. stopping n . A.
goods store. asked to be shown dress uat.s-.,
suitable for winter wear. The clerk began -
the lowest row OF shelyed compartment, ~,
pulled out and opened box after box unfu ~.
counter on either side Of him was piled as HIN
as his head with goods. Three times be elinbs,
a ladder 70 the upper rows and staggered down
under weight OF box patterns. until. when tbs
woman took a survey Of the shelves. but two
patterns remained unopened Then she said vsrv
sWeetly:
Il don't think I'll buy any to-day I am
sorry to have troubled you. but. you See.
only came In to look for a friend"
mo trouble whatever madame" he repli.f
politely. II you think your friend Is In etbs,
Of the remaining boxes VIII open them. too
After French clerk Is known his manner,
are less abrupt Why should he. or any other
clerk. be expected to tear down half the stock
to show to some one who never buys. and
leaves without Thank your A person who
does that Is termed an "impolite passer
through" In some American cities the CLERK
must not stand outside the front door, for fear
that business may appear dull When not sell
ing he must be busting or tearing down vel
arranged shelves and rearrangiug them in
order 20 appear busy; and never. upon
any consideration. Is he allowed to sit
down. II in a furniture store the shopper
admires designs OF Louis XIV and Louis XVI
equally we'll. and asks: DO you think they
would harmonic in the same roomT- he poor
fellow Is expected to answer: ~Oh. yes ma
damei You see there's only two years between
them" But In France be Is independent enough
TO laugh at a buyer who would ask such a
question He u not hired to maks q sale
whether or no II the article does not a. z
# is unsuitable. II II has any defect he usually
saws So he does this because French polite
ness despite what many say. Is more than
skin deep.
Most stores here are small. with the father
or mother as cashier. with son or daughter at
school. and a hired clerk, whose hours are not
early or late. and through whose hands 10
money is allowed to pass. The American
counter. so far as Northern France Is concerned
is unknown All purchases are paid for at the
desk OF the proprietor 70 whom. when sais
IS effected, the clerk calls out the amount to
be paid An electric carriage for cash sales Or
the change Of money is never seen. and eerk
who would cry CASH" expecting a boy 70
come. would be considered crazy Goods are
shown with a knowledge that sale VII %
effected
Foreigners entering a store are met Win
smile, but when they depart without buying
they receive only frowrs Some few stores
have a notice. Enter free" What would
Americans think OF a sign like that before
shop or drug store? The reason Is that "a
entering Of 4 store means a purchase
As regards salary. the American salesman "a
more; but the Frenchman sits whenever !"