Hungarians Follow British Etiquette

A "League for the Propagation of British Etiquette" has been formed, which is trying to reform some modes of Hungarian intercourse. – Above, Men walking down a nearly deserted wet street and sidewalk in old Budapest. – Photo source, Pinterest

Attempt Being Made to Make Emotional Types Over into Stolid Englishmen

(By Associated Press.) BUDAPEST June 2-Sympathy for England has always been very strong in Hungary, but the last two years it has been approaching anglophobia. Attempts have been made lately to transplant to Hungary the conventionalities of British society. A "League for the Propagation of British Etiquette" has been formed, which is trying to reform some modes of Hungarian intercourse.

The League first concentrated its efforts to abolish the customary shaking of hands and long conversation inevitably following the casual meeting of two persons and to replace it by a simple "How do you do?" With is object the members of the league are strolling the whole day along the streets, yearning for opportunities to instruct the public in the new way of greeting and parting."

When any unsuspecting friend, with the smiling anticipation of a conversation on his face, nears the anglomaniac, stretching out both hand warmly, the member of the league stiffly bows his head cries "How do you do," and hurries away before the thunderstruck individual has time to recover.

"We have done our best for the introduction of this good old English manner of greeting, but with little result," stated Baron John Bornemizza, President of the League. "Somehow short greetings do not agree with our society. I just met a friend. and when passing him, I said ‘How do you do?'

"Would you believe that that man stopped me, clung to my sleeve and with wet eyes expressed his gratitude for my interest in his personal welfare and entered into a detailed description of his ill health.

"At that moment, another member of our league approached, and unsuspicious of any harm said his cheerful 'How do you do? I escaped, leaving the Hungarian clinging to my colleague's sleeve, reciting the same tale from beginning to end.

"No," concluded Baron Bornemizza, "my hopes are not very bright that the short manner of greeting will prove a success in my country."– 1921

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