The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1911-04-02

Many and ludicrous are the blunders
made by some diplomats during their
first winter in Washington. OF course
such mistakes are made in pure ignor-
ance of the English language and tho
social customs obtaining here. But woe
to the unwary diplomat who asks ad-
vice of a mischievous Washington maid
for she is apt to lead him astray simply
for the joy of the sport
Some time ago an attache OF the Ital-
ian Embassy, who had arrived in this
city when the social season was in full
swing. was invited to superb private
ball given by the wife of a prominent
Senator. He accepted, and at the dance
he met a charming girl, WHO spoke very
good Italian, which added greatly to his
enjoyment. At supper he confided to
this girl that as he spoke very little
English he was worried as to what he
should say to his hostess in acknowledg-
Dent of her courtesy when leaving.
The girl promptly replied that she would
give him the best phrase then in use
for saying adieu to his hostess. and then
she coached him until he was letter
perfect. AS the guests were departing
the attache approached his hostess. click
ing his heels together and making a
most elaborate bow as he declared in
impressive tones: "Adieu, madame;
have had bulli golli time The hostess
was unable to control her laughter as she
acknowledged his salute.
A Frenchman's Error.
An attache of the French Embassy. who
found the English language a profound
puzzle, was speaking of a stately Wash
ington society leader. He wished to ex-
press admiration for her. "Ah," he said,
struggling his shoulders, "she is a grand
woman, so well deviled up An incensed
listener. who was friend of the woman
in question. Indignantly demanded what
he was talking about and found that
the Frenchman had meant to compliment
her figure by saying she was well de-
veloped '.E IT,
Some winters ago another diplomat had
great difficulty in remembering faces and
names, He finally hit upon a plan which
he thought would prove satisfactory. He
carried a little red notebook wherever
he went and put down the names of the
girls, a description of their appearance.
and the color Of their gowns. This led
to endless confusion, because he was very
apt to meet a girl at tea to whom he had
sat next at dinner. and naturally she
was not wearing The same gown, and
thus he was always laundering.
One of the Chinese ministers on his
arrival here receives an invitation to
very large, and important dinner given
by a government official He carefully
read the formally engraved card and
then wrote on the back. IAN right" put
it in the envelope and returned it to the
sender.
debutante last winter went to large
dinner at which many foreigners were
present. A South American attache took
her out to dinner and everything went
well until the dessert was served. BY
that time the debutante's small talk was
exhausted. She noticed that the attache
did not cat his ice, and to make con-
versation she asked idly:
Don't you care for Ice cream?.
NO." he answered simply. .It always
gif me q pain in my front
A Strange Sign.
A Frenchman who had been here but
. few days accosted . prominent banker
IN the Metropolitan Club, '.Nonsieuys