Democratic Sentinel, Volume 14, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 January 1891 — Two Fingers to an American. [ARTICLE]

Two Fingers to an American.

Although the manners of French “smart men” do not savor quite as much of the stable as those of England, they are, if possible, greater prigs, writes H. C. Taylor in the Chicago News. It is their custom to shake hands according to rank. An ordinary mortal is given two fingers; a baron, viscount, or count is given three; a marquis four; and a duke or prince the entire hand. A few months ago a Frenchman, whose mother is an American, met an American whom he had known from childhood. In shaking hands the Frenchman put out two fingers. The American, having lived muph in France, would not permit this upstart to patronize him, so he turned to the Frenchman and told him that if he ever tried to shake hands with two fingers again, he would pull his nose. For six months the Frenchman always presented his entire hand. A short time since, however, the American was leaving Havre for home. He met the Frenchman on the ship, who was there for the purpose of seeing his mother off for America. Just as the gangway was being lowered, the two parted, and the Frenchman presented his two fingers and rushed off the ship. He had been waiting his opportunity, and it was thus that he paid the American for the threatened insult.