DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4752#0036
26 TURKISH VILLAGE LIFE IN ASIA MINOR
majority, however, sat on in patient expectation. But
they never saw Stevens. He had shot past them
while they were engaged in shuffling on their shoes.
In dealing with Orientals, a prime necessity
is perfect straight-forwardness and transparent
honesty: there should never be the slightest
variation in your word at different times or be-
tween your word and your act. What you have
once said should be final and irrevocable: be it
wise or foolish in itself, you should never draw
back from it or reconsider it: and when you
realise this, you become careful and think several
times before deciding. Even in offering money
for a coin or antique of any kind, I made a rule
never to vary from my first offer to a Turk ; if he
tried to bargain, it was explained to him that I
" had only one word" ; I had stated the value,
and it was for him to choose whether he wanted
the money or not. Of course, this way often
caused the loss of a coin, which a more skilful
bargainer would have bought; but it produced a
great impression on the Turks, and everything
that inspires them with respect helps the traveller's
purpose ; and (to one who has none of the collec-
tor's instinct, and gathers from the type and legend
all the evidence that he seeks for) coins are of no
consequence except as means to attract people
and make them interested.
majority, however, sat on in patient expectation. But
they never saw Stevens. He had shot past them
while they were engaged in shuffling on their shoes.
In dealing with Orientals, a prime necessity
is perfect straight-forwardness and transparent
honesty: there should never be the slightest
variation in your word at different times or be-
tween your word and your act. What you have
once said should be final and irrevocable: be it
wise or foolish in itself, you should never draw
back from it or reconsider it: and when you
realise this, you become careful and think several
times before deciding. Even in offering money
for a coin or antique of any kind, I made a rule
never to vary from my first offer to a Turk ; if he
tried to bargain, it was explained to him that I
" had only one word" ; I had stated the value,
and it was for him to choose whether he wanted
the money or not. Of course, this way often
caused the loss of a coin, which a more skilful
bargainer would have bought; but it produced a
great impression on the Turks, and everything
that inspires them with respect helps the traveller's
purpose ; and (to one who has none of the collec-
tor's instinct, and gathers from the type and legend
all the evidence that he seeks for) coins are of no
consequence except as means to attract people
and make them interested.