SOCIAL INTERCOURSE.
It seems something of an anomaly that a race of beings so distinguished
for selfishness, should be so exceedingly social in their inclinations.
Birds of a feather flock together, and man loves his fellow, though
he loves himself better.
To prevent the inroad of this extreme selfishness, certain forms
and ceremonies are established in every community where there is any
interchange of mutual civilities.
Oriental life has many distinguishing peculiarities and characteristic
forms of politeness, but unlike other parts of the globe, etiquette
in the East is permanent and general. The mental accomplishments being
but few, wealth seems to constitute the only aristocratic distinction,
while the poorest and the richest are equally well versed in the
established routine of civility.
It is curious to observe the native refinement even of the lower
classes in Turkey. There is no gaucherie, no reluctance in any one to
do the right thing in the right way and place; no fear of being unlike
other distinguished personages in manners and customs; for there is no
doubt as to the prescribed and most elegant style of conduct; even the
salutations, compliments and congratulations are most carefully worded,
and any deviation from the formula would destroy the intended effect.
There is, consequently, no lack of social etiquette among the
Osmanlis. A visitor is received according to her station in life,
and after being announced, is met by the lady of the house with her
suite, at the head of the staircase, or at the door of the saloon,
or sometimes by merely stepping down from the sofa, as may be demanded
by the rank of the guest.
There is no ceremony of introducing one person to another, nor is
there any shaking of hands. The company salute each other without any
regard to previous acquaintance; and the younger members of society
always kiss the hem of the garment, or the hands of their superiors
in rank and age.
The manner of salutation varies--those of equal rank endeavor to kiss
the hem of each other's garments, or only exchange temennas.
The temenna, which has already been described, is a graceful
salutation, and is used as frequently as thank you by the English;
serving as an acknowledgment for all compliments and kind inquiries.
When one thinks of the innumerable occasions on which this expressive
temenna is called into action, it seems as if a whole chapter would
scarcely suffice to describe them all. But we will content ourselves
with its demonstration upon the arrival of a guest among a company
of some fifteen or twenty persons.
As soon as the visitor is seated, the lady welcomes her guest by a
temenna--which is acknowledged by the same signal, and reiterated by
each person in the company successively, according to her rank.
Now another round commences. The lady of the house makes a new temenna,
which signifies, "How do you do?" Another temenna from the visitor, is
equivalent to an acknowledgment of thanks, who with the same gesture,
intimates a desire to know the state of her hostess's health.
The whole company then in succession follow suit, to each of whom
the visitor replies in the same way.
This Quaker-meeting style of receiving company, might be ludicrously
illustrated in American society, by substituting bows for temennas--if,
indeed, the ladies could be expected to preserve the requisite silence
and gravity of demeanor.
In Turkey, every attention or compliment, brings its train of temennas,
and it is much to be regretted that no mathematician has yet arisen
in Turkey, capable of producing a regular formula for their exact
computation.
The Meddahs, however, or the famous story-tellers of the East, who
are the best critics, sometimes endeavor to exhibit the danger of
too great an excess in this act of politeness.
They say there was once a worthy Hodja or schoolmaster, who was
very punctilious. Desirous that all his scholars should realise the
importance of true politeness, he insisted that when he drank water,
not a single one of them should omit to exclaim with a respectful
temenna, afiyet olsoun hodja efendy, or may it do you much good,
respected master--and when he sneezed, they were all to clap their
hands, and vociferate hayr ola hodja efendy, or good luck to the
master.
The means employed by this worthy schoolmaster to enforce his lessons,
may be readily guessed by others of the same profession; but that
the desired effect was produced, there is no doubt.
There was a deep well, from which the scholars had to draw water for
their own use.
One day, it was reported to the teacher that the bucket had fallen
in the well, who, after many vain attempts to fish it up, resolved
to descend by means of a rope, and the scholars were called upon to
assist in his descent and ascent.
The hodja was accordingly lowered down into the well, and at a
given signal, the boys began to pull him up. But as he approached
the mouth of the well, the change of the atmosphere titillating his
nostrils, unfortunately made him sneeze; when the well-trained pupils,
instinctively making the temenna, and clapping their hands, let go
the rope and shouted, "hayr ola hodja efendy," good luck to the master.
But, retournons nous à nos moutons.
After the visitor is seated, and the usual temennas are exchanged,
long chibouks with amber mouthpieces, set in diamonds, are offered
by the halayiks or slaves; after which, sweetmeats are served upon
a silver tray, with goblets of water, and then coffee.
This beverage is served in small porcelain cups, in stands of silver
or gold, sometimes enamelled and set in diamonds--which ceremony is
thus poetically described by Lord Byron:
"And mocha's berry, from Arabia pure,
In small fine china cups, came in at last;
Gold cups of filagree, made to secure
The hand from burning, underneath them placed."
Although there are certain ceremonies which are never omitted
as matters of form, their intercourse with each other is most
unsophisticated. Mutual criticism, and inspection of toilets,
catechising about prices, etc., are indulged in as matters of course,
and if by chance the guest is a European lady, the scrutiny is the
more intense; so that those who desire to visit Turkish harems, must
go prepared to undergo the most thorough examination with smiles
and good humor; the only satisfaction being a genuine retaliation
upon the fair hanums, who would feel exceedingly flattered thereby,
and by no means dream of being offended.
The whole establishment is shown to visitors, as one way of
entertaining them; and frequently they get up a dance among themselves,
or call in the dancing girls with their castanets.
Upon intimation of departure, sherbet is served; after which the visit
is terminated, and the guest reconducted in the same manner in which
she was