SALUTATIONS AND FAREWELLS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1199, 22 February 1895, Page 9

SALUTATIONS AND FAREWELLS.

CUSTOMS OF VARIOUS NATIONALITIES IN MEETING AND PARTING.

Few things differ more widely from nation to nation than 'the modes of greeting. In Europe embracing and shaking hands are tb.9 most common expressions of friendship among Lhe upper classes. Bub while our English cousins, like the modem Greeks and ourselves, shake hands on being introduced to a stranger, or on meeting an acquaintance, in Germany, France, or Italy only bows are exchanged, the hand being only given to intimate friends and relatives. [n England and America,the lady bows or speaks first; in other countries she must let the gentlemau take tho initiative. Kissing among men is common only in France, in other lands it is reserved for near relatives and dear friends; bub kissing a lady's hand is mora or less customary in most European countries. In Austria this is so prevalent that an Austrian's most habitual greeting to a lady is, " I kiss your hand, madam !<" In Germany it is practised especially by officers, or by children and young girls. In- Russia a gentleman may kiss a lady, nob on the hand bub the forehead.

The spoken greetings of Europe are especially picturesque in mountainous Roman Catholic districts. - In Germany, Switzerland, and Tyrol we find, 'God guard" and "God greet," the latter identical with the greeting formerly used in English villages, "God bles3 you." For the word greet the German guiss has the same root as great and gross ; ir originally meant to make great and happy, that is to bless. In 3ome parts of southern Germany the greeting recommended by Pope Benedict Xffl., in 1728, is still heard, "Praised be Jesus Christ !" to which the other person replies, "Forevrr and evvr. Ahm " The German miner a'a>s to his com panion, " Safe return to the light," while one athlebe say 3 to another, " May you keep unhurt.'' The light-hearted Italian peasants often say, instead of "Good day," "Happy day," or "May you prosper." But these national expressions are disappearing one after another, like national costumes. Slavonic nations still kiss the garments of those they are bound to respect. If a Russian meets his master he falls to the ground, grasps his masters knees and kisses them. Laplanders salute each other by pressing their noses together. None of the Germanic races have retained any custom similar to the traditional greeting of their barbaric ancestors. On meeting another, a Frank is said to have pulled out one of his hairs, and to have offered it to the person he wished to greet. The Oriental greetings are far more servile than those of the west. The ancient custom of falling down before another, even of kissing his feet, is still prevalent. The Turk crosses both hands on his and bows low. The Hindoo of Bengal touches his forehead with his right hand, and bends his head forward. If he wishes to be

very respectful he lays his right hand first on his breast, then on the ground, and lastly on his forehead. The Oey lonese likewise bows with his hand on hia forehead ; if he sees a superior he throws himself io the ground, repeating perhaps fifty times, his name and titles, while the other passes with a slight nod. Common Arabs greet with the words, " Peace be with you," and the responsa is " With you be peace," laying meanwhile the left hand on their breast. High-born Arabs embrace repeatedly, kiss each other's cheeks,' and ask several times affer the state of their health, each meanwhile kissing his own hand. In the inferior throws himself on the ground, while the superior sends a servant to see if he has eaten anything malodorous. If this be so, the prostrate man receives a kick from his superior, and must immediately go off. Siamese w.jmen, of whatever age, are greeted by precious names, invariably accompanied by the adjec ive young, as *' Young diamond," "Young pearl," "Young heaven," "Young flower." In sign cf gre.it friendship, men scratch their own hand and suck the blood.

In China there are different greetings for the two sexes. Women are forbidden to greet a man, but they say to a woman, "May, all happiness be on thy side." Of two Chineae riders, the inferior dis mounts and remains standing until the other has passed him. When a man on foot meets a superior he claps his hands, raises them, and lets them s'owly sink to the ground. If Chinese men of the same rank meet, each clap 3 his hands together in front o.* above his head and passes the other with bowed forehead. In Japan the inferior takes oft' his smdals, puts his right hand into his left sleeve, lets the arms thus crossed sink slowly to his knees and passes his superior with short, measured steps, crying repeatedly, "Do me no harm."

The greetings of Africans are often very curious. . Abys3inians fall on their knees and kiss the ground." Many negro nations seize each other's hands, drawing out the tinkers until they crack. The natives of Sierra Leone bend their right elbow uutil the hand touches the mouth, then they join thumbs and first lingers and slowly withdraw them. Other negroes snap their fingers when they meet anyone, draw combs from their hair, and replace them. In Lower Guinea the one who greets seizes the fingers of the other, squeezes them and snaps them asunder, crying, u Thy servant, thy servant." On the gold coast of Upper Guinea friends embrace, press the forefinger of their right hands together till they crack, bow their heads and repeat several times, " Good day." If a Mandingo meets a woman lie grasps her hand, lifts it to his nose and smells it twice. In other regions of Africa the natives remove their clothes, fall on their knees, bow to the ground and throw sand over their head and shoulders. Ah Ethopian seizes the right hand of another and draws it to his mouth, or he takes Off his companion's waistcoat, ties it on himself in sign of good fellowship, and returns it to its owner. An Egyptian stretches out his hand, laya lb on his breast, and bows his head. He may kiss the hand of a high-placed man, but never that of a. woman. The greatest sign of "respect is to ki3s his own hand and lay it on his head. From all these modes of salutation and farewell, our readers can make up an original assortment. — De troit Free Press.