Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1906-05-26
THE DREAMY PERSIAN.
lie looks Upon Promptness as One
Form of Lunacy.

lie Looks Upon Promptness as One
Form of Lunacy.
There are parts of the world where
punctuality Is held of no account in the
making of successful transactions, and
among the Persians it is absolutely I'M
known, says the Chicago Tribune.
According to Walter Savage Lander,
who spent much time In studying
business methods among these people,
the Persian hates anything that savors
Of promptness. He is dreamer, and,
although he cannot be called absolute
ly lazy. as he is usually absorbed In
deep thought, still he seldom has little
leisure for anything else. The returns
for his work, however benefcent, are
too small for his expectations.
In marked contrast is his adherence
for punctuality. There is no country
where time counts for less. He thinks
nothing Of making business appoint
ment for 10 delaying it until IL, only
to explain that he wished he might
have come sooner, but it could not be
helped: he had just finished his morn
ing meal. However important the bust
ness transaction may be, he will not
give it his attention until he is ready
1t was only recently an Englishman
called on dealer to buy Persian rugs.
The servant brought the word, and the
merchant commanded him TO tell the
stranger to return In few hours ana
he would see him. The word was
brought back that the Englishman had
TO make a train within an hour. "Ihen
let him 60" said the dealer. My meal
is as important as his train"
The manana Of the SpaniaEd sinks
into perfect insignificance when COM
nared with the habits of the Persian.
Punctuality is especially unknown
when it comes TO paying debts. lie
must take time to reflect about every
thing and will not be hurried. Three
months to creditor or even SIX
months seem terribly short In his eyes.
4 neriod of twelve. eighteen or twenty
months suits him better, but he never
Is ready to pay unless placed under
great pressure.
Frenchman called on Persian one
dav and asked him to pay a debt. Dul
the indifferent debtor made answer, y
will pay you some time" when Il
some timer" queried the impatient
Frenchman. "Is it twelve months
eighteen or two years." Il don
know" answered the bland son O
Iran. 81 guess we had better sa!
when am ready"
II must be said to the PerSians' cred
It that they usually pay in the end Du
they wonder why people should worr.
when they have so much time. 1t
quite beyond them to realize what OH
ference II makes whether payment
are made today, tomorrow or a yea
from today. They look upon America
haste as an acute form Of lunacy an
believe that our strenuous life Is $
foolish 1t is not worth consideration
As a cultured Persian recently told a
ambitious young American: Il work
little. enjoy much and live long, Will
Won work much and will die before yo
attain the fruits of your labor. W
must take time to sleep and enjoy OF
food"
Business conducted in European an
American fashion cannot prosper
Persia. 1t is hard to say whether I'll
desire simply to act on impulse Is dr
TO temperament, conceit or climat
conditions. With conditions such
they are, the economic development
production, distribution and circulate
is bound to be hampered.
The currency is another difficulty tn
limits the making Of business success
Gold coin is a mere commodity and
so scarce it Is used chiefly for presen
and boarding
In spite of these obstacles most Pc
SLAMS earn livelihood and often su
coed. They are skilled craftsme
showing wonderful ability for wea
ing and the working Of metals, b
they are seen at their best when ma
ing loans of money at high interest
ample security. They often get frc
80 per cent to 80 per cent, sometim
100 per cent, while Is per cent Is dee
ed a modest amount for small priva
loans.