On 2007-07-19 20:44:42 +0100, "Clive George" said:


I suspect you may be thinking of different "problems" to those I'm
thinking of. I was remembering what I've heard that being Gaijin in the
country presents problems beyond the obvious language and cultural
barriers. Not severe, but still relevant to the topic which started
this subthread.



FWIW would you say that the significantly more severe problems which
regimes like those in Burma present "are what they are", or are worthy
of berating (though probably not while actually in the country...)

Then I think it comes to practicalities.

Do I like the regime in Burma? Not really

Can I or am I willing to try to make a difference to it? Realistically
no. Even this is after one removes the media slanting.

Do I want to visit or do business there? Not really. Europe,
Africa and the Middle East are challenging enough.

None of us can fight every battle so I think it makes more sense to
look at those where we can make some difference




Perhaps people don't actually want McDonalds, Starbucks and Nikes.

I sympathise with that view, but that's a different matter.

clive