Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1906-02-19
CHAMPION PROCRASTlNATORS.
Psrsians Look Upon Promptness a. a
Form Of Lunacy.

Persians Look Upon Promptness as a
Form of Lunacy.
Chicago Tribune
There are parts Of the world where
punctuality is held of no account in
the making of successful transactions,
and among the Persians il absolutely
is unknown.
According to Henry Savage LandoE,
who has spent much time studying
business methods among these people,
the Persian hates any thing that savoIe
Of promptness. lie is a dreamer and
although be cannot be callsd
absolutely lazy as ne is usually ab-
sorbed in deep thought, still he
seldom has little leisure for anything
else. The returns for his work, how
ever benehcent, are too small for his
expectations.
In marked contrast is his adherence
for punotuality. There IS no country
where time counts for less. DE thinks
nothing OF making a business appoint
ment for 10, delaying il until IL, only
to explain that be wished he might
have come sooner, but il could not be
helped he has just finished his morn
ing meal. However important the
business transaction may be, he will
not give 1t his attention until he is
rendy.
II was only recently an Enelishman
/ called on a dealer TO buy Persian rugs.
The servant brought the word, and
the merchant commanded him to tell
the stranger to return in a few hours
/ and he would see him. The word Was
brought back that the Englhhman
had to make O train within an hour.
| - han lat him 10 - aanH tho
My meal is as important as his
| train"
The manana Of the Spsniard sinks
in perfect Insignificance when oompar.
ed with the habits of the Persian.
Punotuality is especially unknown
when it comes to payment OF debts.
lie must take time 10 reflect abou {
everything and will not be hurried.
Three months to a creditor, or even six
months, seem terribly short in his
eyes. A person Of twelve. eighteen or
twenty months suits him better, but
he never is ready to pay unless placed
under great pressure.
A FrenchmRn called on a Persian
one day ana asked him to pay a debt,
but the Indifferent debtor made answer
Il will psy you some time. ''When
is some timer" quelied the impatient
FTenohman. lis it twelve months,
eighteen or two yearsY'' ~ don {
KNOW" answered the bland son Of
Iran. guess we had better say when
l am ready"
1t must be said to the Perslon' 8
credit that they usually pay In the end,
but they wonder why people should
worry when they have so much time.
IL is quite beyond them to realize what
| difference IL makes whether payments
are made today, tomorrow or a year
from today. They look upon American
haste as an acute form of lunacy and
believe that our strenuous lie is so
foolish it is not worth consideration.
As a cultured Persian recently told
an ambitious young American, II work
a little, enjoy much, and live long,
while you work much and will die be-
fore you attain the fruits of your
labor. We must take time to sleep
and enjoy our food "
Business conducted in European
and American fashion cannot prosper
in Persia. 1t is hatd TO say whether
this desire simply TO act on impulse
is due TO temperament, oonceit or
climatic conditions. With conditions
such as they are, the economic de-
velopment Of production, distribution
and circulation are bound to be ham.
| pefed.
The currency is another difficulty
that limits the making II business sue
cess. Geld coin is a mere commodity.
and 10 so scarce 10 ia used chisfly Tor
| presents and boarding.
In spite Of these obstacles, most Per-
SLAMS earn livelihood and often sue.
oeed. They are skilled craftsmen,
showing a wonderful ability for weav-
ing and the working of metals, but
they are seen at their best when max
ing loans CT money at high interest