Khazen Anecdotes

* The late Marquise Alexandra de Freige celebrated her birthday, and the consuls and great folk flocked to offer her their greetings, for she was famous for her beauty and graciousness. As the visitors left, they would kiss her hand. When Sheikh Rashid al-Khazen reached the door to take his leave, the Marquis, her husband, asked him: Why did you not kiss the Marquise's hand, as etiquette requires? So Sheikh Rashid stepped forward and kissed the Marquise's hand. After going down the stairs he came back again and said: I forgot my walking stick—and kissed the Marquise's hand. Then he returned once more and said: I forgot my tarboush—and kissed the Marquise's hand. At that the Marquis said to him: This is no longer etiquette, my dear Sheikh—it has become devilment!

* One of the notables and rich men of Beirut bought properties in the district of the Matn, and his wife—who was very beautiful—bought other properties at the same time. They pressed their friend Sheikh Rashid al-Khazen, qaimaqam of the Matn, to order the deeds clerk to hasten their registration. The poor clerk rushed to register the gentleman's deeds with all speed, hoping for a reward. When he took them and presented them to that great, wealthy notable, the latter said to him: Much obliged—come closer so I may kiss you—and kissed him. The poor, penniless clerk went back and told the Sheikh how the wealthy notable had rewarded him, and the Sheikh said to him: When you finish the lady's deeds, give them to me. After they were completed, the clerk handed the deeds belonging to the lady to Sheikh Rashid, who brought them to Beirut, went to call on the said lady, and presented them to her. She said to him: Why did you put yourself to such trouble, Sheikh? Sheikh Rashid answered with a smile: To collect the same currency your husband paid the clerk!