Page 215 - Neglected Arabia (1916-1920)

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receive it. saving, MC»cxl gave them to me. and I’m glad to give some
I
r
of them to you.*' There was a Turk who on a feast day welcomed
an American traveler at nightfall as princely Abraham might have
done, and who told his visitor, as they sat down to the festal meal,
that he had waited all day without breaking his fast for some such
worthy guest to come and share with him in the cheer of his festival.
i. Turks are naturally fond of flowers, of pets, and of children, I
have seen a flower offered to some one of another race ungraciously
declined with the question, “Do you take me for a Turk?” Perhaps
i
the best keynote to Turkish character is found in the word childish.
There are many streaks and strains of childish dispositions, one cer­
1 tainly being an impulsive affection for beauty and for friends. There
is much happy home life in their humble abodes. Polygamy is author­
ized. and is practiced by the officials and the wealthy to a considerable
extent; but it is not easy to set aside the very laws of human creation,
I and most Turkish homes are monogamous. The relations between
husband and wife, parents, children, and grandchildren are affectionate,
happy, and gratifying, at least in thousands of families.

) As men are reckoned in this world. Turks are not naturally covetous,
: and they are not counted good business men. The long process of
;
; bargaining, which regularly precedes a sale, is an exercise in logic,
rhetoric, and applied psychology; it requires a knowledge of the facts
and the ability to state them effectively. The better debater gets the
better end of the bargain as his prize. Bargaining takes the place of
Ivceums, debating societies, spelling matches, political discussions, and
arguments about the tariff. Life would become tame indeed, not to
say somber, if every article had a fixed price and bargaining were
eliminated. After a vigorous altercation, when the price was agreed
on, I have observed the buyer offer to give more and the seller to take
less if the other party were not wholly satisfied.
The Turk has a strong natural inclination to be courteous. He
has abundant and varied formulas for greetings and farewells. His
salutations are given not only with the lips, but regularly with the
hand, and often with the whole body. He wishes his friend to feel
comfortable, happy, contented, in his presence, and as a result of their
personal relations. This accounts for one portion of the frequent
Turkish mendacity. If your average Turk knows something that
would cause grief, regret, or shame, to a friend, he will not for a
moment hesitate to deny or distort the facts, rather than by revealing
them cause his listener a pang. His sense of personal courtesy is
i ! stronger than his sense of obligation to impartial truth.
!
In spite of the fact that Turks are few who would trust other
;
Turks not to accept bribes if the chance came in their way, many have
* • a clear sight and a strong feeling of obligation as to right and wrong.
They are past masters in the theoretical discussion of such questions.
The test of a pinch is sometimes successfully met in practice. One
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of my highly valued acquaintances was approached by a person who