Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1906-12-15
THE DREAMY PERSIAN.
lie Looks Upon Promptness Ms One
Form OF Lttnncy

II r. are paris of the world where
puHctualIy is held Of no account in tho
making of successful transactions, and
among Tire rcrsians II is absolutely IN
known. says the Chicago Tribune
According TO Walter Savage Landor.
who spent much time in studying
business methods among these people.
the Persian hates anything that savors
of promptmcss. He is dreamer and.
although he cannot bc called absolute
~ lazy. as he is usually absorbed in
deep thought. stlll lie seldom has little
leisure for anything else The returns
for his work, however beueticent. are
too small for his expectations
In marked contrast is his adherence
for punctuality. There is no country
where time counts for less. II" thinks
nothing of making business appoint
mcut for 10. delaying II until II only
10 explain that he wished he might
have come sooner. but Il could not be
helped; he had just finished his morn
ing meal. However important the bust
ness transaction may be-. he will not
give II his attention until he Is ready
II was only recently mn Eusishmun
called on Il dealer To- buy Persian rugs
The servant brought the word. and the
merchant commanded him 10 tell the
stranger 10 return IN few hours and
he would see him The word was
brought back that the Englishman had
to make train within an hour. Then
let him 20" said the dealer "My meal
Is as important as his train"
The manana OF the Spauiard sinks
into perfect insigniiicancc when COM
pared with the habits of the Persian.
Punctuality Is especially unknown
when il comes 10 paying debts. He
must take time 10 reflect about every
thing and will not be- hurried. 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 10 pay unless placed under
great pressure
4 Frenchman called on Persian one
day and asked him TO pay IA debt. but
the Indifferent debtor made answer. Il
will pay YOU SOME time" when Is
some timc:" queried the inpatient
Frenchman as It twelve months,
eighteen or two years. Il don't
know" answered the bland son Of
Iran. Il guess we had better say
when am ready"
1t must hc said to the Persians' cred
II that they usually pay in the end. but
they wonder why people should worry
when they have SO much time 1t is
quite beyond them 10 realize what diff
ference IL makes whether payments
are made today. tomorrow ar Il year
from today They look upon American
haste as an acute form OF lunacy and
believe that our strenuous life IS 50
foolish II IS not worth consideration.
As II cultured Persian recently told an
ambitious Young American: II work 4
little. enjoy much and live long while
you work much and will die before YOU
attain the fruits of your labor. We
must take time 10 sleep and enjoy our
food"
business conducted IN European and
American fashion cannot prosper in
Persia. II is hard to say whether this
desire simply TO act on impulse is due
10 temperament. couccit or climatic
conditions With conditions such AS
they are. the economic development of
production. distribution and circulation
Is bound to hc hampcred
The currency is another difficulty that
limits the making of business success.
Gold coin is mere commodity and, is
SO scarce II is used chiefly for presents
and boarding
In spite of these obstacles most Per
slams earn livelihood ana often sue
coed They are skilled craftsmen.
showing wonderful ability for weay-
ing and the working Of metals. but
they are seen at their best when max
ing loans of money at high interest on
ample security They often get from
80 per cent TO 50 per cent. sometimes
100 per cent. while II per cent is deem
ed modest amount for small private
loans.