Well as for French, the only thing I'say is that it was a required subject in our high schools and some university programs. I'll meet you in the doghouse on this one - the only use I've ever found for the language is that it's good for picking up Asian chicks. Makes you sound more romantic.

And I fully agree with you. Human inhumanity toward its own kind has been taking place since we first crawled out of the ocean or fell out of the trees - depending on your point of view. True, you probably will get nailed to the cross for mentioning the African issue - but not by me. It is an historical fact and history cannot be changed.

Thanks for the vote of confidence on my solution and I trust you will support your fellow teachers when the issue raises its ugly head in China. As you say, we have enough problems without having to put up with that. Not that my remedy was the correct one, but knowing that Chinese authorities usually look the other way when foreigners are causing each other harm, it seemed the right thing to do at the time.

As you can see, some other posters are reading our messages and tend to disagree with our line conversation, but they'll get over it. We could really make them mad by discussing an issue of prime importance to Canadians - who makes the best beer? Why not? It's culture and we are supposed to be teaching languages, cultures and customs, right?

Anyway, I've got some clothes to iron so I'm outta here for a while. Gambei (with a Canadian Club and not a Jack Daniels)