On Mon, 08 Mar 2004 22:00:57 GMT, "Cereus-validus"
wrote:

A few years ago, a Japanese ambassador got in trouble for publicly saying
that Americans are lazy and stupid. He was forced to apologize for boasting
that bit of Nippon arrogance.

Compared to most Eastern cultures that would be true but you must also
consider that the Japanese have the highest suicide rate. So they do pay
dearly for being a culture of obsessive workaholics!!!

The Germans are also a work obsessed people.

You need to update your stereotypes. The German economy is in the
tank primarily due to the excess baggage imposed by state and union
rules that give the Germans too much time off. That is why we have
BMW and Mercedes plants in Tennessee. Americans are far more
productive.

John