Sometimes I get uneasy about the fact that I enjoy old things more than new ones because I've always thought that was a sign of my years.

But a while ago, a young man sent me a booklet that tickled him because it was 100 years old. It was a collection of interesting facts--or at least interesting to people of that day and time. Called "Curious Cobwebs," it informed the reader, for instance, that the Chinese had paper currency in the year 1339 B.C., which they called flying money. I liked that because it's still a pretty fair description of the stuff after 3,000 years.

But the very best thing I found was a description of the way people from different countries greeted their friends 100 years ago.

ENGLAND (Hat tip, nod) say: "How do you do?" or "I hope I see you well."

IRELAND (Handclasp) say: "Top of the morning to you."

So far that all sounds pretty ordinary, but when you get to Europe, they get more personal and begin to ask pretty bizarre questions.

HOLLAND (Hearty clap on shoulder) say: "How do you fare?"

FRANCE (Kiss on cheek or mouth) say: "How do you carry yourself?"

ITALY (Airy clasp and kiss, wave of the hand) say: "How do you stand?"

If these sound a little odd to your ears, hang on to your hat because it gets worse.

TURKEY (Salaam) say: "I will request of Allah that he increase your prosperity." I'd call that a serious "hi" for someone you just met.

The author of "Curious Cobwebs" thought the funniest one came from the same folks who gave us flying money.

CHINA (bow) say: "Have you eaten your rice, and how is your stomach working?"

That's pretty funny, but I favor two others for my vote. The Polish one said the polite Pole of 1886 greeted people with "Are you gay?" proving that words don't always translate well. But my favorite is the greeting from Sweden, that gloomy land where when friends meet they fall into each other's arms and exclaim, "How can you?"

I'm glad to know a sense of humor is good for 100 years.