Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-25
CHAMPION DEMONSTRATIONS
Fersians Look Upon Promptness as a
Form of Lunacv.

Form of Lunacy.
| From the Chicago Tribune
1here are parts Of the world where pt,nc-
tuality is held of no account in the nnanf,v
OF successful transactions, and among the
Persians is absolutely unknown.
ACCORDING to Henry Savage Lander. WIN
mas spent much time studying businas.
methods among these people. the Persian
mates anything that savors of promntnesS
He Is a dreamer. and although he cannot
be called absolutely lazy as he is usually
absorbed in deep thought. still he seldom
mas little leisure for anything else. The
returns for his work, however beneacent.
are too small for his expectations.
IN marked contrast is his adherence for
punctuality, There is no country wbers
time counts for less. He thinks nothing of
making a business appointment for 10 de-
laying II until II, only 10 explain that he
wished he might have come sooner but il
could not be helped; he has just finished
his morning meal However important the
business transaction may be, he will not
give 1t his attention until he is ready.
II was only recently an Englishmau called
on a dealer to buy Persian rugs. The serv-
ant brought the word. and the merchant
commanded him to tell the stranger to re-
turn In a few hours and he would see him
The word was brought back that the Eng
lishman had TO make a train within an
My meal is as important as his train.
The manana Of the Spaniard sinks into
perfect insignifcance when compared with
the habits OF the Persian. Punctuality is
especially unknown when IL comes to pay
ment of debts. He must take time to re-
fleet about everything and Will not be hur-
ried. Three months to creditor, or even
six months, seem terribly short in his eyes
A period 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 day
ard asked him to pay a debt, but the in
different debtor made answer: Il VIII pay
you some time" When Is some timer
oueried the impatient Frenchman. rs It
twelve months, eighteen or two yearsE" Il
don't know" answered the bland son OF
Iran. II guess we had better say when
am ready"
It must be said to the Perslans' credit
that they usually pay In the end, but they
wonder why people should worry when they
have so much time. II Is quite beyond
them to reahze what difference IL mates
whether payments are made today, tomor-
row or a year from today They look upon
American haste as an acute form of lunacy
end believe that our strenuous HE Is SO
foolish II is not worth consideration. As
cultured Persian recently told an ambitious
young American, II work a little, enjoy
much and live long, while you work much
and will die before YOU attain the fruits OK
your labor. We must take time TO sleep
and enjoy our food.
Business conducted in European and
American fashion cannot prosper In Persia.
It is hard to say whether this desire simply
to act on impulse Is due to temperament
conceit or climatic conda tons. with cohui-
lions such as they are, the economic de-
yelopment of production. distribution ana
circulation IS bound to be hampered.
The currency Is another dihiculty thar
limits the making of business success uolo
coin is a mere commodity. and is SO scarce
IT Is used chiefly for presents and boarding.
In spite of these obstacles. most Persians
earn a livelihood and often succeed They
are skilled craftsmen, showing a wonderful
ability for weaving and the working o.
metals, but they are seen at their best whe4
making loans of money at high interest on
ample security. They often get from 90 per
cent to 50 per cent sometimes 100 per cent
while Is per cent Is deemed modest
amount for small private loans.