The sons in the families of the better class are often educated in
the belief that labor is degrading, and encouraged to lead lives of
indolence. Instead of being taught that labor is honorable, that the
gods sell everything to those who work; that the most useless and
uninteresting members of society in this busy world are the drones;
that intelligent industry is the chief factor in modern civilization;
that honest effort is the advance guard of commercial and industrial
progress, the youth of Chile is encouraged in the belief that it is
honorable and manly to rely upon paternal dependence. Their education
and youthful training too often lead them into the erroneous idea
that business is drudgery, and that discipline of mind and will are
hardships to be endured only by the servants and poor classes.
The men who constitute the wealthy class in Chile contrast sharply in
characteristics with the women in the same social cast. They have
an agreeable, dignified manner and polite address. Intellectually
keen, they are quick to grasp a theory and clever in presenting it.
Super-sensitive, they are quick to take offense, but will keep a
smiling countenance, a polite, unruffled exterior, and even manifest a
liking for people whom they inwardly detest. They are drawn together by
business and political interests and whenever their interests conflict,
enmity and even hatred are the result. This is carried to such extent
that in the cities the families of the managers or heads of competing
commercial houses or business firms will not associate with each other,
and friendship between two Chilean gentlemen engaged in opposition
business is the rare exception. Political opponents are enemies so long
as their interests clash.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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