It's past 2:00AM where I am, but I'll take a minute and share a couple of brief stories (I have others).

At one point, I worked on contract for Michelin here in the US. My position brought me into regular contact with both Englishmen and Frenchmen.

A surprising number of the English and French engineers would arrive here in the US, and then immediately purchase a Chevrolet Corvette. The Corvette seemed to be a dream vehicle for many of them......the quintessential American car.

A British engineer informed me that once his work term was done in Alabama, then he intended to ship his new Corvette back to England with him. However -- he indicated to me that he would end up spending most of his time looking at the thing while it sat in his garage, collecting dust. He wouldn't be able to afford to drive it much over there -- what with the high cost of both insurance and heavily-taxed gasoline (petrol). The car would be a conversation piece for him over there: and that was about it.

Another story: over the years, I've had many German co-workers that I've gotten to know through my work. Some of them have become very close friends with me and my family. We've stayed in touch even after they've moved back to Germany.

Almost without exception, after the Germans have come to this country, and lived and worked here for a year or more.........then they don't want to go back home. Nearly as one, they and their families all want to stay over here.

That's tough, let me tell you. I've hated seeing some of my best friends have to go back.

Why did they so badly want to remain in the US? Why?

I wonder.............

Message edited on: 02/12/2005 01:28

Something To Do At 3:00AM