Psmith in the City · Chapter
VIII: The Friendly Native explained
Psmith explains his strategy of winning over a 'friendly native' in the bank, targeting Mr.
What happens
Psmith explains his strategy of winning over a 'friendly native' in the bank, targeting Mr. Rossiter. He attempts to discover Rossiter's hobby through conversation, but fails with stamps and Hall Caine. Mike bonds with messenger William over roses, though it triggers homesickness. Bannister reveals Rossiter's interest in football, specifically Manchester United. Psmith uses this to engage Rossiter, successfully breaking the ice.
Themes in this chapter
Social Performance and Identity
Psmith deliberately performs a role to ingratiate himself with Rossiter, using conversation about hobbies as a social strategy.
Work vs. Idleness
The tension between Psmith's conversational diversions and Rossiter's insistence on work highlights the conflict between idleness and productivity.
Characters to notice
- Psmith
Devises a plan to befriend Mr. Rossiter by discovering his hobby; tries stamps and Hall Caine before learning of Rossiter's football interest.
- Mike Jackson
Works in the postage department, bonds with messenger William over roses, and experiences homesickness.
- Rossiter
Head of the postage department; initially rebuffs Psmith's attempts at conversation but later engages over football.
- Bannister
Former employee who provides key information about Rossiter's interest in football.
- William
Bank messenger who discusses roses with Mike, revealing his hobby.
Key passages
“The first principle of warfare, said Psmith at breakfast next morning, doling out bacon and eggs with the air of a medieval monarch distributing largesse, is to collect a gang, to rope in allies, to secure the cooperation of some friendly native.”
Psmith explains that the key to success is to find and befriend an ally, just as he did at school with Jellicoe.
Psmith outlines his strategy for winning over Rossiter.
“Every man has his hobby. The thing is to find it out. In the case of Comrade Rossiter, I should say that it would be either postage stamps, dried seaweed, or Hall Caine.”
Psmith believes that discovering a person's hobby is the way to their heart, and he guesses Rossiter might be into stamps, seaweed, or Hall Caine.
Psmith's method for befriending Rossiter.
“I don't know, said Bannister, unless it's football. I saw him once watching Chelsea. I was rather surprised.”
Bannister suggests that Rossiter might be a football fan, having seen him at a Chelsea match.
Bannister provides the crucial clue about Rossiter's hobby.
“My own view, said Psmith, was that Manchester United were by far the finest team before the public.”
Psmith claims to favor Manchester United to align with Rossiter's likely preference.
Psmith uses football knowledge to connect with Rossiter.