[M.D. Holloway]

One of the concerns that Alfy raises is not that off base (I can't believe I am saying this - and I am sure it will be taken out of context) - the Asian countries have always been plagued by lack of natural resources and social unrest so the ruling class kept them in check so to speak. One way of doing this was to thwart creative reasoning. Makes sense, you really don't want to have a billion of your loyal subjects thinking out of the box. I have been told by many of the folks I know from mainland China and even Korea and Japan that you are taught 1+1 = 2 and not to ask why.

If I was to compare the Asians that I have had the opportunity to study with or work with and compare them to the Americans, I would unhapplily say that the Asians have more focused thoughts and a far better work ethic.

Alfy - too bad you had bad experiences with Asians in particular. Living in my shoes you would have developed a deeper respect for a people that have had very little and learned to make the best from it.