In China, when one person says something good about another person in front of him, people call it "presenting a tall hat".
In the past, an official in the capital went to work in city because of his new job. Before leaving, he went his teacher's home to say goodbye. His teacher warned him, "It is not easy to be an official outside the capital. You should be (carefully) about whatever you do. "
The official replied, "Please don't worry. I have prepared 100 'tall hats', I will send. one to every person I meet. I'm sure all the local people will be (please). "
Hearing this, the teacher got angry and said, "We are honest ( gentleman). How can you do that?" The official said, "You're right. You are honorable man. But many people like (wear) tall hats. They are different from you. "
He nodded and said, "What you (say) is true, too. "
After leaving his teacher's home, he said to (him), "Of my 100 'tall hats', I now, only 99 are left. "
