As for “souvenir hunters,” perhaps they can explain wherein their pilfering of another’s property differs from petty thieving—­a distinction which the owner can scarcely be expected to understand.  Those who write their names, defacing objects of beauty with their vainglorious smudges and scribblings, are scarcely less culpable.

In France, in Spain, in Italy, grace and politeness of manner is as essential to merest decency as being clothed.  In the hotels that are “used to us” (something of a commentary!) our lack of politeness is tolerated; but don’t think for a moment it is not paid for!  The officer referred to above, who had had the advantage of summer after summer spent in Europe as a boy, was charged just about half what another must pay who has “the rudeness of a savage.”

But good manners are good manners everywhere, except that in Latin and Asiatic countries we must, as it seems to us, exaggerate politeness.  We must, in France and Italy, bow smilingly; we must, in Spain and the East, bow gravely; but in any event, it is necessary everywhere, except under the American and British flags, to bow—­though your bow is often little more than a slight inclination of the head, and a smile—­and to show some ceremony in addressing people.

When you go into a shop in France or Italy, you must smile and bow and say, “Good morning, madam,” or “Good evening, monsieur,” and “Until we meet again,” when you leave.  If you can’t say “Au revoir,” say “Good afternoon” in English, but at all events say something in a polite tone of voice, which is much more important than the words themselves.  To be civilly polite is not difficult—­it is merely a matter of remembering.  To fail to say “good morning” to a concierge, a chambermaid, or a small tradesman in France, treating him (or her) as though he did not exist, is not evidence of your grandeur but of your ignorance.  A French duchess would not think of entering the littlest store without saying, “Good morning, madame,” to its proprietress, and if she is known to her at all, without making enquiries concerning the health of the various members of her family.  Nor would she fail to say, “Good morning, Auguste,” or “Marie,” to her own servants.

=EUROPE’S UNFLATTERING OPINION OF US=

For years we Americans have swarmed over the face of the world, taking it for granted that the earth’s surface belongs to us because we can pay for it, and it is rather worse than ever since the war, when the advantages of exchange add bitterness to irritation.

And yet there are many who are highly indignant when told that, as a type, we are not at all admired abroad.  Instead of being indignant, how much simpler and better it would be to make ourselves admirable, especially since it is those who most lack cultivation who are most indignant.  The very well-bred may be mortified and abashed, but they can’t be indignant except with their fellow countrymen who by their shocking behavior make Europe’s criticism just.