How to Win Allies

For the A.E.F. in Britain, the War Department got out a sprightly, good-humored little book of international etiquette. It was designed especially for soldiers seeing a new land and new customs for the first time. Its message--that superficial differences must not keep the good people of one allied country from liking the good people of another--was well worth a civilian eye. Some pointers:

>> "The British are often more reserved in conduct than we. If Britons sit in trains or busses without striking up a conversation with you, it doesn't mean they are being haughty and unfriendly. They don't speak to you because they don't want to appear intrusive or rude." (Says the Guide's British counterpart, prepared by Journalist Sir Willmott Lewis for R.A.F. cadets training in the U.S.: "Fellow travelers are by that very fact acquaintances in the States. It will not be resented if you get into conversations without any preliminary maneuvers.")

>> "The British have phrases and colloquialisms of their own that may sound funny to you. You can make just as many boners in their eyes. It isn't a good idea, for instance, to say 'bloody' in mixed company--it is one of their worst swear words. To say: 'I look like a bum' is offensive in their ears, for to the British this means that you look like your own backside."

>> "British money is in pounds, shillings and pence. The British are used to this system and they like it."

>> "The British don't know how to make a good cup of coffee. You don't know how to make a good cup of tea."

>> "English crowds at football or cricket matches are more orderly and more polite to the players than American crowds.

They will shout 'good try' even if it looks to you like a bad fumble. In America the crowd would probably shout out remarks which everyone would understand, but which the British might think insulting." (Sir Willmott advised R.A.F. cadets that booing was essential to U.S. sports: "The idea is to win, not just to have a game . . . not a bad idea for a fighting man.")

>> "If you are invited to a British home and the host exhorts you to 'eat up--there's plenty on the table,' go easy. It may be the family's rations for a whole week spread out to show their hospitality."

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