Shopmen’s Signals.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVII, Issue VII, 17 August 1901, Page 329

Shopmen’s Signals.

AN INTERESTING CODE TO TEI.I A BUYER’S CHARACTERISTICS.

“Did it ever strike you that on entering certain shops you were being ‘signalled’ as surely as any train entering a railway station ? Most probably not; yet such a thing must often have happened in your case, especially if you are in the habit of going regularly to certain shops for certain things, so that some of the assistants come to know you by sight—as they very quickly do. “Of course the same ‘code’ prevails in no two establishments, so that even though you were lucky enough to pick up that at one shop the knowledge you thus acquired would avail you nothing at the one next door.

“In this article, however, we propose to touch briefly on a few of the better known signs, giving the meanings which attach to them at a certain large shop in the metropolis, which, for obvious reasons, need not be further specified here.

"Old hands ean carry on a sort of conversation in the presence of a third party as expert as themselves, but ignorant of the special code in which the two in question are working: hence the instances we are about to cite are only specimens of the many codes in use in the city. “If, in showing ydu to the counter you seek, the shopwalker in the establishment in question extends the first two fingers of the right hand and grips the others, the assistants immediately understand that you are a kleptomaniac not to put too fine a point upon it.

°A twirl of the right side of the moustache upward with the r «ght hand signifies that you’re a sort of fool who knows nothing and whom, consequently, it is safe to ‘rush’ for all you’re worth—and the assistants charge accordingly.

“If, on the other hand, some assistant who has had previous experience of you, and has come to the conclusion that you are a particularly sharp customer, who cannot be taken in on account of your knowing the price of a given article to the fraction of a penny, he will let the assistant about to serve you know this fact by winding his watch chain about his left forefinger in an absent-minded sort of way, the exact significance of the sign being ‘Tartar; no good trying bluff.’

“If a little flattery will work well with you an assistant, knowing this,

will telegraph the fact from the opposite counter by putting the finger tips of both hands together, the significance of it being ‘Blarney!’ “Even more explicit instructions can be expressed. For instance if an assistant espies another bringing down a particular roll of silk, which he knows is dyed one of your favourite colours, he will pass his fingers over his upper lip. which means ‘Raise the price of this particular article.' i«» contradistinction to pitting something on all round. “A similar movement across the lower lip would mean that it is as well to lower the price if possible, as it can be made up in raising that of the next thing you ask for, many customers being easy to serve once they have bought something which they consider to be a Bargain. ‘Be cautious,’ is indicated by rubbing the

left eye with the back of the fore finger.

" ’Appear indifferent and she’ll bite’ is conveyed by putting a thumb and forefinger in each waistcoat pocket, while biting the thumb nail means. ’Take no pains; she is only an old stager who has eome to look at something for a friend.’ ‘Postpone pressing the customer,’ is signified by passing the hand over the forehead from left to right. These are only a few of the more frequently used signs in one establishment, but there are countless others. Indeed, a volume could be written on the subject without exhausting it.” O O O O O Courting Methods in Manila. TEDIOUS PROCESS NECESSARY TO WIN A HEART. ’’One of the most curious customs among the social upper tendom of the Spanish at Manila is their method of courtship. When the young Spanish grandee wants to do the thing about right he dons a faultless suit of clothes, gets out a light bamboo cane, and waxes his moustache. Without this his case would be hopeless. He goes to the home of his lady love and takes his station on the walk where she can see him from her window. He struts up and down for her inspection, twisting his idolised moustache, twirling his cane, and going through gestures calculated to set off the offering to the best advantage. The lady may not even deign to look at him. In fact, he hardly expects her to until he has gone through his monkeyshines a number of times to prove his sincerity. It may be months before he receives the encouragement of a smile, but when it does come his raptured hear* repays him for his labour.

After a while, say six months, the sen ora may drop a rose, a fan. or her perfumed lace handkerchief. He seizes the prize with the avidity that a halfstarved miner reaches for a golden nugget where he expected none. But the bird is not yet within the suitor’s grasp. Not by a long Way. At this point the dutiful parents of the young lady appreciate the fact that matters may become serious some time in the future, and they begin looking up the young man's pedigree —and bank account. They never think of inviting him to see their daughter until these facts are ascertained with a fidelity that would do credit to a mercantile ■agencv.

H s standing having been ascertained. the bulldogs are tied up and t’he warders sheath their swords. The coast is clear now and the lover may fetch out his mandolin or guitar and send sweet melody along with the moonlight into the bed-chamber of his sweetheart. At the end of the year or twelve months if he still remains faithful and refrains from prosecuting his suit with undue haste he may approach the girl’s parents and plead for a personal audience with her. This is getting to close quarters, and a favourable answer means that the girl has made the same plea to her parents. The young people are permitted to meet in the parlour, but not alone. The parent or guardian is always on hand to see that the proprieties are thoroughly respected, and

this sort of vigilance is never relaxed until they have plighted their troth. The lover cannot take his mistress to church, theatre, or even to the refined, elevating Spanish sport known as a bull tight unt 1 his matrimonial intentions are spiked down and welded. A person would think the rigorous custom would deter aspirants, but it doesn't. They accept the conditions eagerly and face them like martyrs. 000-oo Hints for Saving Money. Clever needlewomen will find it easy to manufacture the lace coats either in blouse or bolero shape, which just now are the height of fashion for wear over a silk slip. Lace net with border in leaf or rose pattern, cut out of silk gauze and applied on the net, makes a pretty trimming for such a bodice, and bell sleeves opening over puffed undersieves of mull or chiffon, or the simple bishop sleeve of the slip, are the preference. Irish cut work, which is merely fine linen embroidered and cut out, has a constantly increasing vogue, and the French imitation done on batiste is among recent extravagances. A large collar or small bolero of this makes a most useful toilet accessory. Indeed, the rage for lace increases constantly. If you are the fortunate possessor of a real lace shawl, use it to cover a cape of delicately tinted satin, warmly and lightly lined, and froth its edges with ruffles of chiffon, narrow, full, and many. A frill of the same chiffon and a chon of satin or a bunch of flowers at the throat will complete a charming and up-to-date evening wrap for watering place wear this summer, and for the opera at any time. Several of the leading London tailors are making a specialty just now of dressy threequarter coats, composed of silky doth of the most charming colours, such as grayblue, orchid mauve, and the new buff, a delicate shade, reminiscent of a colour which yeans ago was exceedingly popular. The elaboration expended upon the collars of the coats is one of their distinctive features. Two plaits are taken right around the garment, underneath the arms, to give it an Empire effect, and these are carefully stitched; the turnover revers are also stitched, and a pretty effect is produced by the little lace lapels, which are stiffened to stand away from the cloth. The back of the coat Is slit up in order to allow the skirt underneath full play.