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<DIV><FONT face=Arial>There are various cultures on earth, even in your country,
your society. So whenever you feel some response inadequate, you might have left
your culture already. I had to learn for example that Polish baby boys wear pink
and baby girls light blue, just the opposite in Germany, and that Polish people
celebrate their Saint's day, not their birthday, just the opposite in Germany,
in protestant Germany actually.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>Answering Jane's questions from my point of
view:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<OL>
<LI><FONT face=Arial>"How are you?" "Fine, thanks", I would answer to a
stranger, as the British would do. Only to a close friend, I would tell in
what a trouble I am. However, usually, I say "Hello" to everybody.</FONT></LI>
<LI><FONT face=Arial>Philosophically speaking, for me, there are no friends.
First, because this implies there are also enemies which I doubt ("enemies"
are people made insane by capitalism). Second, beacause capitalism destroys
communities, produces egotism and isolation. I can't deny, though, that some
people like me, and that I am on friendly terms with some people.</FONT></LI>
<LI><FONT face=Arial>As I said, I share my problems with very few people. I
take "Everything will be alright" as a refusal to listen.</FONT></LI>
<LI><FONT face=Arial>I don't measure friendship by gifts, but by readiness to
listen.</FONT></LI>
<LI><FONT face=Arial>I like children more than dogs, and take the opposite as
an indication of insanity. Usually, I don't bury my emotions in my heart, even
to a stranger.</FONT></LI>
<LI><FONT face=Arial>No, I am not Chinese. When I feel bad, I don't
smile.</FONT></LI>
<LI><FONT face=Arial>A high-pitched voice is medically, I think, a sign of
irritation.</FONT></LI>
<LI><FONT face=Arial>As for me, barter and money are the origins of
capitalism, I wouldn't judge people by them. As a trade unionist, I don't ask
for pittance, but for a fair share, I fight for my share, I don't beg for tips
(so I don't give tips either).</FONT></LI>
<LI><FONT face=Arial>For a human life in dignity, neither needs ought to be of
working your way from rags to riches, nor needs be of being of being on a
waiting list.There is plenty for everybody. Nobody needs more than he/she can
eat. Everybody ought to be able to have a good life from the start. Yes,
capitalism started by robbery, and flourishes by subtle robbery. The trouble
is that Soviet Union people no longer think they have a right to an apartment
and good living, not even on a waiting list. To a certain extent, the Soviet
Union was just the other side of the coin of capitalism: They didn't abolish
property altogether, they only abolished private property. Christians are also
taught modesty and self-sacrifice for the sake of heaven. We have these intial
forms of capitalism in Russia and in China, now. Mankind has experienced
alaready where this leads up to. "Wasting" money on friends and relatives is a
remnant of an ancient culture which did without barter and money. Relying on a
network of friends and relatives is such a remnant, too. That's why a majority
of people in East Germany defy capitalism. But as long as they have no
alternative, they won't be able to resist.</FONT></LI></OL>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>This is my contribution to the discussion. But, mind you,
I am not a representative German.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>Karl-Heinz</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>