Chinese Minister's Advice on Understanding Oriental Customs
In a speech in Philadelphia, February 22, the Chinese Minister to the United States gave some wise and timely advice to Americans who think of trading in China. And this advice is just as wise and timely and good for missionaries as it is for traders. Here it is:— One of the first requisites toward maintaining proper relations with the Orientals, therefore, is to understand their ideas, and to judge them, not by your standard, but by theirs. This is as applicable to commercial and social intercourse as to diplomatic and international affairs. Let me give a common illustration: In China, when a gentleman meets another for the first time, it is usual for both to ask each other's age, and other personal questions. It would be a mistake to regard such conduct as rude and insulting, as would be the case in this country. The asking of such questions shows the interest of the questioner in his new acquaintance, and is done with the best of intentions; therefore, it should be considered no more an insult than an inquiry after one's health. A perfectly innocent act can be easily misinterpreted to be a wrongful act. To do justice to an Oriental, you should not judge his action by what you would naturally think of it, but ascertain his motive for the act, and judge him by his own standard.