The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1905-01-27
Manner and Business.
The Outlook.


houses in New York City, said not
long since that it was painful to no.
tice the difference in the manners Of
employees n English and American
shops and Offices. That difference
every American notices when he re-
turns from a trip abroad. Courtesy
is no small part of the attractiveness
of the foreign shops; it is, indeed,
very important element in business
success. The impression has unfor-
tunately gone abroad in this country
among a certain class OF young men
that to be courteous is to be servile,
and that man shows his American
ism by abruptness, lack of Difference,
and the general attitude of indifer-
ence. If Americanism involves bad
manners, then the complaint of Re-
nan that the Americanizing of the
modern world mean the vulgarization
Of that world is we'll sustained.
There is, however, not the slightest
connection between the independence
and self-respect, on the one hand, and
rudeness and discourteousy, on the
other. 1t is indusputable that the
higher one ascends in business ranks
the more definite becomes the claim
for good manners on the part OF en-
ployees. There are many leading
concerns in this city, and in all parts
Of the country, who will not have a
siovenly dressed or rude person in
their employ. One of the greatest
6aanciers who has appeared in
American life insists on being sur
rounded by well-bred men, and will
tolerate no others. If young men
can be made to understand that lack
Of manners, instead of indicating
strength of character, is an express
SION of ignorance, and that it stands
IN the way Of success. they will no
isnger glory in it. but be eager
to mend their ways. Probably
Is many men in this country owe
their success to personal attractive
ness as to business ability, and the
road to promotion for hundreds Of
young men has lain through some
act of courtesy, some thoughtfulntss
for another. One of the most respon-
sible hnanciers in New York is in the
habit of saying that he owes his good
fortune in business way to the fact
that he once presented a member OF
the firm with a bouquet. An Amerl-
can manufacturer was overheard to
say, in the courtyard Of charming
hotel in Switzerland last summer,
that he would gladly leave his check
for ten thousand dollars in that place
that morning if he could secure the
equivalent in good manners to be sent
to his factory in Newark; and he add
ed that his foreman, as rule, would
a great deal rather swear than to say
good-moring.
This is young country, and 1t has
many hings to learn; among them
the truth that the charm of life lies
very largely in small things, and that
good manners, which arc the most
agreeable way Of treating ones fel-
lows and being treated by them, adds
immensely to the value Of life. Salts
faction does not consist in getting
rich; it consists largely in what one
gets day by day; we might all be-
come incredibly rich and the country
remain incredibly .rlirterestlng and
dull. It is the re1nements Of life that
prtect the most SACRED relations and
bring out their sweetness, and 1t is IN
these relations AMI in their sweetness
that the wost permanent joys are
found. In well-known letter to his
sons, William, Earl of Bedford, said
some things which ought to be posted
in every commercial school and every
business hous in the country; for
manners quite as much as character,
talents. and ability have to do with
success:
"Before you speak. let your mind
be full OF courtesy; the civility of the
hat, kind look or word from a per-
en, nf hn,nn, las hn1qht that service