NEW VIEWPOINT

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 47, Issue 2669, 13 September 1937, Page 2

NEW VIEWPOINT

PLEASANT CUSTOMS. A new point of view is presented by a writer in Design about social customs in Germany at present. She says: “I confess myself deeply impressed with the sacrificial fervour of the German people. They believe in future honour and plentitude as compensation for present penury as only a sentimental nation can. At the same time I do not wish it thought that the German goes around with a grim-set jaw and the relentless eye of the sentinel. There is much pleasantness in life here, and a camaraderie one does not find in France, for instance. The hidebound convensions of England likewise have no place here. I was at first startled and then intrigued to find that a man may speak to a girl in a public place without the formality of an introduction. Should the girl not desire the acquaintanceship she politely intimates as much, and the man as politely retires. It is both novel and wholesome to have a man approach one in the street and say, ‘Fraulein, I observe you have no escort. Would you do me the honour to accompany me to some place of amusement.’ One can simply reply* ‘I am sorry, but I am on my way to keep an appointment.’ No harm is done, and you walk on pleasantly thrilled at having excited admiration. In restaurants and hotels there is a gaiety and friendliness that one misses in the English-speaking countries. Many of the places have -telephones installed so that lonely guests may ring people seated elsewhere in the room. Possibly it is the inborn discipline in the German character that permits of such communication without risk of' insult.” The writer goes on to commend the discipline which is shown in clean streets, absence of raucous traffic noises (would there were such discipline here ?) and regularity of building. There were many things which she found commendable though a faithful British subject.