Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 229, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 September 1913 — Japanese Courtesy. [ARTICLE]

Japanese Courtesy.

A country where courtesy Is a business, and business but a gentle avocation, reflects its peculiarity in the most trifling details of conduct. Such a country is Japan and such a detail recently came into notice when a city electric bureau of Tokyo asked the patrons of its street car lines how they preferred to be addressed when it was necessary to urge them to “move up.” Out of the 2,719 suggestions sent in the Independent selects and translates six, as follows: “Those not getting off, to the middle, please!”. “The middle is more comfortable!” “I’m sorry, but all move on by one strap!” “There’s a pretty girl about the middle of the car!” "A pickpocket has just come on board!” Thef municipal authorities frowned somewhat upon the last three suggestions, but the conductors will be taught to use some of the other forme. Is it possible that the Japanese hope to enjoy an efficient traction service on such terms? Apparently they hope to, and we pass along the Japanese idea as a helpful hint to the_gentlemen who jerk a gong on the rear of our own street cars.