Home Affairs: HOW TO TELL YOUR FRIENDS FROM THE JAPS

Of these four faces of young men (above) and middle-aged men (below} the two on the left are Chinese, the two on the right Japanese. There is no infallible way of telling them apart, because the same racial strains are mixed in both. Even an anthropologist, with calipers and plenty of time to measure heads, noses, shoulders, hips, is sometimes stumped. A few rules of thumb — not always reliable :

> Some Chinese are tall (average: 5 ft. 5 in.). Virtually all Japanese are short (average: 5 ft. 2-½ in.). > Japanese are likely to be stockier and broader-hipped than short Chinese. > Japanese — except for wrestlers — are seldom fat ; they often dry up and grow lean as they age. The Chinese often put on weight, particularly if they are prosperous (in China, with its frequent famines, being fat is esteemed as a sign of being a solid citizen). > Chinese, not as hairy as Japanese, seldom grow an impressive mustache. > Most Chinese avoid horn-rimmed spectacles. > Although both have the typical epicanthic fold of the upper eyelid (which makes them look almond-eyed), Japanese eyes are usually set closer together. > Those who know them best often rely on facial expression to tell them apart : the Chinese expression is likely to be more placid, kindly, open; the Japanese more positive, dogmatic, arrogant.

In Washington, last week, Correspondent Joseph Chiang made things much easier by pinning on his lapel a large badge reading “Chinese Reporter — NOT Japanese — Please.”

> Some aristocratic Japanese have thin, aquiline noses, narrow faces and, except for their eyes, look like Caucasians. > Japanese are hesitant, nervous in conversation, laugh loudly at the wrong time. > Japanese walk stiffly erect, hard-heeled. Chinese, more relaxed, have an easy gait, sometimes shuffle.