FOREIGN HABITS.

Shannon News, 17 April 1923, Page 2

FOREIGN HABITS.

SOME STRANGE SALUTATIONS. In India the Buddhists salute by lowering the palm of the right hand and bringing it up toward the face, at the same time saying “Ram, ram’ chair.” The Mohammedans do the same, but simply say "Salaam.” This is only done in either case among members of the same faith. The salutation is always made, too. with the right hand, to use the left being considered an insult.

These Eastern nations have a Strong objection to uncovering the head, but on the other hand consider it exceedingly disrespectful to enter the presence of a superior with the feet covered.

The Chinese have a regular code of salutations, eight in number, which define the proper amount of respect to be paid to different individuals. The one which is perhaps most familiar to Englishmen is that when at the New Year the Chinaman clasps his hands together, and, gently bowing, wishes his friend the compliments of the season.

Two curious greetings which these people have among themselves are those of asking each other "Have you eaten rice?” and “Is your stomach in good order?” The Japanese show respect on meeting by bending the knee, though in the street they only make a feint at so doing, This is the general salute, but there are many others from inferiors on encountering those in higher positions.

A stranger coming amongst the Moors for the first time would perhaps be astonished and a little frightened by seeing on of them riding’ at full gallop toward him, as if he were intending to execute a cavalry charge His fears might perhaps be increased when this horseman, when almost close to his apparent victim, suddenly reined up and discharged a pistol over his head. Recovering from his astonishment, howeverfi he would find that this was the Moorish way of welcoming a stranger. Natives of the Gold Coast have still another mode of salutation. They lower the robe from the left shoulder with the right hand ami gracefully bow, though if it is a great man they salute, and if they wish to be particularly respectful, the whole of the robe is removed, exposing the breast.

Egyptians greet one another with a remark peculiar to their country: "How goes the perspiration?”