> -----Original Message-----
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On > Behalf Of Ticia ... > Foreigners here complain about how hard it is to > get to know > people, as coworkers hardly every socialize outside work (and > when they do, > it's a work-related outing); you have to make friends in your own way in > your own time. On the other hand, I can report from experience that, much like Japan, visiting on business is a real treat from the standpoint of socializing. You folks really take care of your visitors. Very much as in Japan, it's the foreign residents who tend to feel isolated. I wonder if the Dutch who visit here are as frustrated as the Japanese by the fact that here in the states, we don't ensure that our business visitors are sufficiently entertained each evening. I should note that my impression of the Netherlands has been colored by having been in Amsterdam on Queen's Day. What a party... And a note on salaries, professionals, etc. There's at least one very large exception to the pattern of professional hours and salaries we're been talking about -- aerospace, where even the engineers are unionized. That always seems strange to me -- very well-educated, highly paid professionals, some of whom practically work to rule. Nick _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
