Los Angeles herald., 1910-11-20
NOVEMBER 20, 1910.
OUR GOOD AMERICAN MANNERS

Cardinal Vincent Vannutelli, has been
paying us visit. Like every other
distinguished foreigner that comes TO
New York, the count has been inter-
viewed. His views about us, about
America and about our manners are
his own That is what makes them
interesting and so very different from
some of the opinions expressed In IN
terviews about this much criticised
country and its much criticised IN
habitants.
One thing sure, our manners are
improving. We may still retain a
characteristic hustle, which to the
average European visitor seems so un-
necessary, but if, after reading what
other distinguished foreign visitors
have said about our manners, you reao
what Count Vannutelli told me, you
will understand that as nation we
are getting to be really well behaved.
1t may be just as well to add, by the
way of explanation or emphasis, tnat
Count Vannutelli is great traveller.
He circulates-that's good word-in
the best society in Europe ana mas
excellent opportunities to form an
estimate of just what constitutes good
manners, and bad ones, too.
do 1 think Americans are pointer
said the count, repeating my question.
"I have Travelled a great deal during
my visit to this country, and nave
found the average American both cour-
teous and polite. OF course, there are
conditions here differing from condi-
tions in other countries. Taking into
consideration the hustle and activity
of the Americans, they are not lacking
in manners. In Europe we do tnings
more quietly without accomplishing
quite SO much"
"But have you been in the subway
during the rush hour?" I asked.
hau in the subway.
and have seen the pushing and SNOW
ing, and it seems to me If one We're
to stop in that rush to let others pass
ones destination might be reached
quite some hours late. l have notlceo,
too, that the men are not as courteous
in giving up their seats TO eloerIy
women as they might be. Now, the
remedy for that is for the women to
educate the men. Say to the man: L
am an elderly woman; may 1 please
have your seat?'
"Then, there's the crowded ferry
boat and the Brooklyn bridge rush.
While it was all very new and strange
to me, I found myself doing just what
others did, otherwise I would be wait
ing still. And I know they were not
impolite but their duties demanded
haste and no loss of time, hence their
thoughtless push"
"When the foreigners who come to
live in America return on visit TO
their own country, do they continue
their strenuous methodist | ventured
to inquire.
The count smiled and answered: mo,
because if they should push or elbow
anyone in my country, we should take
them by the shoulder, stop and tell
them that they were very rude ana
rough. That is all that would be neces-
sary. They would not repeat 1t.
Another thing I notice is that the
men smoke in the presence of women.
In restaurants they fill the room with
smoke. If the woman who accom-
panies the man does not object TO II, or
likes the odor of smoke, others In the
room may object, but their feelings are
not considered. This is very wrong
and not at all gallant"
"And after all these things, l IN
sisted "do you really think we are
courteous?"
Certainly, yes, because what applies
in one country may not always apply
in another"
"And what do you think of our
American women?" l inquired.
"The American woman Is charming,
replied the count, gallantly. "In ap-
pearance she is the finest in the world.
She dresses we'll and has the figure and
style. But she is at her best out
doors, walking, riding and driving. She
is beautiful and athletic. When am
in Europe I can always pick out an
American woman. She stands out from
the others.
"All your women have distinct IN
dividuality. They are so self-reliant'
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