Chapter (অধ্যায়): THE EAST AND THE WEST PAGE-505Page: 505 of 537
these things in France. The Germans are even less particular.
English and American men are very guarded in their conversation before women; you cannot even speak of a "leg". The French, like us, are very free in conversation; the Germans and the Russians will use vulgar terms in the presence of anybody.
But conversations on being in love are freely carried on between mother and son, between brothers and sisters, and between them and their fathers. The father asks the daughter many questions about her lover (the future bridegroom) and cuts all sorts of jokes about her engagement. On such occasions, the French maiden modestly hangs down her head, the English maiden is bashful, and the American maiden gives him sharp replies to his face. Kissing and even embrace are not so very objectionable; these things can be talked of in society. But in our country, no talk, nor even an indirect hint of love affairs, is permissible before superior relations.
The Westerners are now rich people. Unless one's dress is very clean and in conformity with strict etiquette, one will not be considered a gentleman and cannot mix in society. A gentleman must change his collar and shirt twice or thrice every day; the poor people, of course, cannot do this. On the outer garment there must not be stains or even a crease. However much you may suffer from heat, you must go out with gloves for fear of getting your hands dirty in the streets, and to shake hands with a lady with hands that are not clean is very ungentleman-like. In polite society, if the act of spitting or rinsing the mouth or picking the teeth be ever indulged in-the offender will be marked as a Chandala, a man of low caste, and shunned!
The Dharma of the Westerners is worship of Shakti-the Creative Power regarded as the Female Principle. It is with them somewhat like the Vamachari's worship