How To Tell Friends From Enemies

New Zealand Listener, Volume 6, Issue 145, 2 April 1942, Page 7

How To Tell Friends From Enemies

F these four faces, of young men (above) and middle-aged men ‘ (below) the two on tho left are Chinese, the two on the right Japanese. There is no intallible way of telling them apart, because the same racial strains are mixed in both. Even an anthropologist, with callipers and plenty of time to measure heads, noses, shoulders, hips is sometimes stumped. Here are a few rules of thumb given by "Time"’-but we warn our readers that they are not always reliable: @ Some Chinese are tall (average, 5 ft. 5 in.). Virtually all Japanese are short (average, 5 ft. 2% in.). @ Japanese are likely to be stockier and broader-hipped than short Chinese. @ Japanese-except for wrestlers-are seldom fat; they often dry up and grow lean as they age. The Chinese often put on weight, particularly if they are prosperous (in China, with its frequent famines, being fat is esteemed as a sign of being a solid citizen). ® Chinese are not as hairy as Japanese, and seldom grow an impressive. moustache, @ Most Chinese avoid horn-rimmed spectacles. @ Although both have the typical epicanthic fold of the upper eyelid (which makes them look sa Japanese eyes are usually set closer together. ® Those who know them best often rely on facial expression to tell them .apart: the Chinese expression is likely to be more placid, kindly, open; the Japanese more positive, dogmatic, arrogant. @ Some aristocratic Japanese have thin, aquiline noses, narrow faces, and except for their eyes, look like Caucasians. @ Japanese are hesitant, nervous in conversation; and often laugh loudly at the wrong time. @ Japanese walk stiffly erect, hard-heeled. Chinese, more relaxed, have an easy gait, sometimes shuffle.