The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1905-01-28
insults OF TIE CHINESE.
Invaterate Insolenoe Toward Foreign
ers Through System Of Elab-
crate Etiquette.

Inc SllHdlHau, especially Ne Oh tHe
higher and official class. has enyeloped
himself in a subtle and elaborate mesh OF
custom and etiquette, in which it's his
delight to entrap the ignorant and
unWary foreign DEVIL says the King.
And the strangest thing about this Chi
nese propensity is that it is by no means
necessary, in Chinese eyes, for the object
Of an insult to be aware of his position.
It is enough for them that he is de-
graded thenceforth IN their eyes, and in
those of all who are capable of appre-
eating the fact that he has been sub
jected to this species of moral degra-
dation
TT will be apparent, therefore, how
extremely important it is that minis
ter who is intrusted with the interests
and prestige of his country in China
should be thoroughly conversant with
this insidious danger and Eigilantly on
his guard against all attempts to degrade
his office and weaken his influence in the
far east
THE very puerility of these Chinese
insults tends to increase their danger.
For, unless a European is sufficiently
versed in their hidden significance to re
sent them Immediately, his loss of face
and caste is as great as though he had
knowingly and tamely submitted to
them He is henceforth a subject for
scarcely yelled contempt and derision,
and arecognized target for Celestial fool
ing and levity.
"On the other hand, nothing con-
POUNDS a Chinaman quite so much as
when the object of his insidious attempt
suddenly displays an acquaintance with
the actual significance Of the attitude
adopted toward him. He becomes hope
1essly disconnected, and his respect is
proportionately as great as his con-
tempt would have been had he succeeded
in escaping detection.
THE following story will afford an
excellent idea Of the Chinaman's invet-
crate insolence toward foreigners
through the medium Of his elab-
crate system Of etiquette. was
calling on some English friends in
Shanghai few years ago. They had not
long arrived from home, and were COM
parativeiy new to the country and its pc
culiarities. Among the numerous sub
jects of interest they mad discovered II
their novel surroundings they displayed
for my inspection a Chinese visiting
card which had been left upon them by
a high class Chinaman a day Or two be-
fore 1t was Of red paper, about four or
five inches long by three in breadth, and
printed with large Chinese characters.
MY friends expressed some pleasure
at its possession, and | noticed that it
occupied a prominent place in their col
lection. Moreover. from their account,
their visitor had seemed very amiable
and genial gentleman.
Il somewhat startled my friends as
picked up their treasure by remarking:
The brutei Did he have the insolence
to leave this on you? Anyway, don't
leave it about where itcan be seen.
why, what is the matter with it?'
they queried.
Now, my friend occupied an official
position under our government, which
lent an additional Importance to the
matter; so | fastened to explain that
their visitors interesting red card, with
its imposing proportions, was a pleasant
little attempt to mark his contemptuous
sense Of their infinite inferiority to him.
self, and to indicate, in fact, that he was
a much bigger man than my official
friend.
"'Well, / don't care what the fool
thinks, observed the latter.
But in China you must" explained.
IF you accept the Chinaman's inso1ent
of you you will have lost caste
forever in your future dealings with
him, and every one, Cinnamon, and pos
sibly foreign rivals as well, who are
aware Of your loss Of prestige. will not
hesitate to attempt TO take advantage of
you. But at the same time you have a
splendid chance of asserting yourself at
the outset in a position Of corresponding |
and advantage.
= But how can this be done he in
auired, except by refusing to return the
beggar's call?'
NO, L SAID, you must Go InaL IL
is part Of your opportunity, and as soon
as he realizes that, contrary to his ex-
pectation, you understand his etiquette |
and have seen through his action, he
will be thoroughly disconnected and |
crawl to you in future. You need do no
more than simply leave upon him your
own card a good deal bigger in size than |
he one he left upon you, and with your
own name printed in larger characters
than his. That will finish him COM
pletely, and, absurd as it seems, little
things are often big things in China, and |
you will place yourself in a better posi-
ton to dc good service to your eountry's
interests than you coald otherwise ex-
pect.'
Much-Titled Man.
E,iaId Marshal Sir Ganroa5 White lie an