Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 January 1918 — AS THEY SHOP IN GUATEMALA [ARTICLE]

AS THEY SHOP IN GUATEMALA

Visiting Is Principal Feature of Buying Expeditions, Business a Later Consideration. “Our own way Is always the best way,” said a philosopher who understood human nature, and why everybody else does not go our way is a cause of constant surprise. For instance, in shopping. How would you like to shop in Guatemala? They are a very polite people, and on coming into the store, will pass some remark about the weather, and ask how business is. Then comes a string of questions about the health of the proprietor and all Ms relations and friends; and when all the questions are asked, the proprietor turns around and asks the same questions of you. Then the proprietor gets down to business, and takes down all his stock, which is all examined and priced, and then you say you will go home and think about it The next day, you return with the whole family—men, women, children and visitors—all the salutations are repeated, and all the stock displayed again. After two or three hours of this sort of thing, you buy perhaps a yard of muslin, and have it charged on 30 or 60 days’ time. This so delights the proprietor, that he follows you to the door, and asks all the questions of your health all over again. It is needless to say that Guatemalan merchants were never known to get rich.