Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-10-04

was the .antithesis of everything he
should have been. Calling upon the
who spoke only Spanish, he found it
impossible to do business. and under
took to tell his prices by yelling them.
In the midst of this vocal exercise
sirous of selling the dealer goods, and
kindly offered to interpret for the
Yankee, which suggestion was eagerly
accepted.
was also selling typewriter supplies,
and I afterward heard him telling his
friends in the hotel, with much gusto,
how he handled the proposition. When
the American said. These ribbons are
$500 a Dozen the German translated:
These ribbons are So Dozen The
American salesman told me afterward
that he had written his house that
they could not compete with Euro
pean prices in this market, and ] am
certain that it will be a long time be-
tore this firm will again consider
Latin American possibilities.
Gentleman and Man.
'It pays to study social usages among
South Americans and to live in con-
formity herewith. 1t is, for example.
considered good taste to walk on the
side of the street next the curb: to
take off your hat and stand uncovered
as the funeral of peon or plutocrat
passes; to bow generally to those
present as you enter a car or cafe and
to similarly salute them as you depart ;
while gentlemen ALWAYS raise their
hats when they meet. The observance
of these frivolous niceties marks the
gentleman, the failure to do so the
man-and the yawning abyss between
the Latin American mind, cannot be
bridged.
Generally speaking, every South
American is named after some saint
whose festival he observes. both So
cially and religiously. Ascertain the
toner and send a little remembrance.
1t creates an intimacy that is hard for
US co1d-blooded northernerS to UNDER
stand. Never forget church and ma
to the impulsive native, and are cele-
brated deliberately. 1t pays to keep
memorandum book for data of this
sort, so as to always be in close per-
sonal touch with customers and pros
pective clients. Little cards and other
commemorating these events are ap-
preciated.
Bar Religion and Politics.
Religion and politics should never
be discussed. The Latin American Is
almost always superstitiously religious
and intensely political. To take the
wrong side of a theological argument
may land you in a hospital, while an
error in judgment on a political prob
lem may mean Jail. Both are places to
be avoided in these lands. Besides,
such arguments always serve to make
one decidedly unpopular and materially
hurt business prospects. Religious
professions are frequent in the streets.
They excite curiosity, and are often
amusing, viewed from our standpoint,
but do what the populace does-kneel
or raise your hat as they pass. Many
riots by some fool foreigner falling to
observe these courtesies.
with but few exceptions, hotels in
South America are terrible. Toilet &C
commodations are poor. the cooking
vile and the dishes foreign to Ameri-
can taste, while the beds are intoler-
able. Conditions become worse the
farther away you get from the larger
cities, and as you penetrate the IN
terror, hammocks and your own 1000
would be almost impossible. in the
confines of this article, to tell of the
primitiveness which exists in this part
of the western continent away from
the beaten path. Travel facilities are
execrable Trains are slow and late,
and accommodations decidedly pad.
Steamers are small and stuffy and not
safe. River boats are provided WITH
few, if any, conveniences. Appoint
ments are more honored the breach
than in the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES often
forgotten or delayed than kept. Busi-
ness, for no apparent reason. Is oe
ferred to "manana" tomorrow. Time
has no value to our friends residing In
the vicinity of the equator.
Manana Land. .A~
These and many more heart-break-
ing conditions will confront you every
day of your trip through "Manana
Land" Be a philosopher! Don't grum-
BILE! You came for business. These de-
lays and deprivations are only Incl
dents in the game-they make the
reaching of the goal all the more OF
victory Grit your teeth and forge
ahead! If feas and mosquitoes and
on your possible customer, by telling
him what you think of his country and
countrymen. Learn to smile. 1t helps
more here than elsewhere.
BE a student from the day you sail
from New York to the day you hand IN
your last expense account. STUDY tne
needs of the various countries through
which you pass. Observe what the peo-
ple require. Listen to suggestions from
all sources. European success IN these
markets was greatly advanced by CIV
ing the people just what they wanted
Ours will come in the same manner.
Remember that a vast majority OF the
population whom you will meet are
either Indians or of Indian origin.
Their tastes are sure to be primitive