How They Say Good-bye.

Otago Witness, Issue 2396, 1 February 1900, Page 67

How They Say Good-bye.

" Eow can you say good-bye?" Well, there are a variety of methods in which you can say it, and every nation has its own peculiar way of expressing the same feelings. With English-speaking people there is probably less fuss about it that with any other race. A hearty shake of the hand, and a, fervent "Bye, old man!" and the thing is done in our own country. But foreigners are more effusive.

The Turk will solemnly cross his hands upon his breast, and make a profound obeisance -when he bids you farewell.

The genial Jap will take his slipper off as you depart and say, with a smile : " You are going to leave my despicable house in your honourable journeying — I regard thee!"

In the Philippines the parting benediction is bestowed in the form of rubbing one's friend's face with one's hand.

The German " lebe wohl " is not particularly sympathetic in its sound, but it is less embarrassing to those it speeds than the performance of the Hindoo, who, when you go from him, falls in the dust at your feet.

The Fiji Islanders cross two red feathers. The natives of New Guinea exchange chocolate. The Burmese benil low, and say " Hib ! Hib !"

The "Auf wiedersehen " of the Austrians is the most feeling expression of farewell. The Cuban would consider his good-bye * anything but a cordial one unless he was given a good cigar. The South Sea Islanders rattle each other's whale teeth necklace.

The Sioux and Blackfeet will, at parting, dig their spears in the earth as a sign of confidence and mutual esteem. This is the origin of the term. " burying the tomahawk." The Russian form of joarting salutation is brief^ consisting of the single word " praschai," said to sound like a sneeze. The Otaheite Islander will twist the end of the departing guest's robe and then solemnly shake his own hands three times.