March 1940 THE MEXICAN VOICE
page 17
NOSOTROS--
ed little old ladies into corners. Amidst this maze of work-weary humanity sat a paisano. A lady a-lighted from a busy corner laden with packages. Surveying the crowded car, she found no empty coats. Several men peeked a glance at her and buried themselves deeper into their papers. Still no seat'. Our paisano got up, nodded politely, pointing to his seat. The lady nodded, smiled and sat down. Pid this Show all persons of Mexican descent are polite? No but it does show this: from now on that lady’s impression of a Mexican will be more favorable. A little courtesy goes a long way.
and- swaying around Lincoln Park, going over the trestle it draws a few ’’ooh’s" from the Eastern ladles in front of us. Looking over the sides gives the illusion that we’re traveling on air. Tearing around the bend we get an Intimate view of dirty backyards, patched fences, old delapidated houses, wash on the line, tot*n screen door, flies, and barefooted childern, •chicken yards/» and junk.
One Eastern lady asks her ■friend, ’’And who, may I ask, could live there?"
"Mexicans. ’’
"Mexicans?" Oh "......"
OVERHEARD
The big Red Car is swinging
....Manuel de la Raza
LEARN TO LISTEN-----------
Time out and time in the older people have told younger people that the secret of being a good conversationalist is to develop an interest in others and their affairs, to be an attentive and appreciative listener. On the contrary, we should try to make conversation.
Let’s study our personality for a-whlle. Do I cross-question my friends? Do I cut in on my friends befor they finish talking?
Conversation is an art. People are born with a talent"just as they inherit an ear for music, a sense of rhythm, or color harmony or arrangement.
Once a boy told me, "I get a big bang out of talking to my girl’s mother. V7e sit and gab away for hours. ’’
It is easy to see why. He is friendly, and congenial, alert and
courteous. The mother is quick and intelligent, knows a lot about all things, fhas a sense of humor and keeps in touch with what young people think and do and like.
So why not practice to become a good conversationalist. The family dinner table is as good a place to start as any other.
When dancing venture a friendly remark or so at the beginning to assure him that^ he did not make a mistake when he took you out to dance, and smooth steps will do the rest. Don’t chatter about clothes. The average boy Is not Interested in details. "All that the girls can talk about Is clothes,” they say disgustedly. So we had better treat that subject sparingly, smile responsively and do not complain when we find that all they can tall, about is sports.
. .......Angie Perez