Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies - DUBOIS, Abbé Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies, Dubois | Page 369

MODE OF TAKING LEAVE
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to this Feringhi guru that he comes here and is so jealous
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of us *
Just as we French and English do, but contrary to the
Spanish and Portuguese custom, the Hindus, in quitting
an apartment with a visitor, always allow him to walk
first.
The object is to avoid turning one's back upon
a guest, and he, in turn, in order not to appear wanting
walks sideways until both have passed the
threshold.
When leaving the presence of a prince or any
great personage, it is customary, for the same reason, to
walk backwards until one is out of his presence and this
is also why a servant, when accompanying his master on
foot or on horseback, never walks in front of him.
It is considered good manners in India to blow your nose
with your fingers
and there is nothing impolite in audibly
Persons of all ranks, indeed,
getting rid of flatulency.
seem to rather encourage this habit, as according to them
It is certainly an
it is a sure sign of a good digestion.
original, if somewhat disgusting spectacle to a European,
to see a large number of Brahmins coming away from
a feast indulging in a sort of competition as to who shall
give vent to the loudest eructations, calling out at the
same time, with emphatic gravity, Narayana ! as if to
thank Vishnu for his favours.
After sneezing a Hindu never fails to exclaim, Rama !
Rama 1 and no doubt there is some superstition attached
Again, when a Brahmin yawns,
to this pious ejaculation l
he snaps his fingers to the right and left to scare away evil
in politeness,
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spirits
and
giants.
one's foot, even by accident, demands
an immediate apology. This is done by stretching out
both hands towards the feet of the offended person. A
box on the ear is not considered a graver affront than a
To tread on any
One knows that amongst the old heathen nations a sneeze was
supposed to contain a great mystery. Old writers mention many facts
which prove what superstitious deductions credulous persons drew from
The custom of uttering a prayer or good wish on behalf of a person
it.
who has sneezed has existed from time immemorial. The Greeks said
Though with us the
Salve.*
the Romans,
to such a person tfOi
or God bless you
fashion of saying, May your wishes be granted
has rather gone out, politeness demands that at least you should make
Dubois.
a bow.
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