India to test new 5000-km nuclear missile within year

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Two natural adversaries there, with India soon to surpass China in population. You have to wonder whether or not China is worried about India stepping on their toes in the cheap skilled labor market.

What's ironic is that at a values level, Indian and Chinese society are much more alike than either are with the West.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

What's ironic is that at a values level, Indian and Chinese society are much more alike than either are with the West.

True dat! And with an inborn pragmatism that is lacking in the west.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

True dat! And with an inborn pragmatism that is lacking in the west.

And yet, they fight over who gets to ####### out the most to the West. The West wins again.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

And yet, they fight over who gets to ####### out the most to the West. The West wins again.

I see the evil dollar has done its job.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I see the evil dollar has done its job.

When I landed at Kolkata airport, a guy offered to help us with our luggage. I let him. As is customary in this part of India, no discussion took place regarding money. It's assumed I'll give him what's fair and he'll take it. After he was done, I gave him 100 Rupees - way above market rate. I didn't have anything smaller. Guess what the douchebag tells me? May I have 20 dollars please? That's over 900 Rupees. Are you kidding me? I pretended to assume he's kidding and laughed it off. He insisted. He was serious. Anyway he didn't get his 20. I just walked away. But yes the dollar is still King out here. No questions about it.

[scandal 951]

When I landed at Kolkata airport, a guy offered to help us with our luggage. I let him. As is customary in this part of India, no discussion took place regarding money. It's assumed I'll give him what's fair and he'll take it. After he was done, I gave him 100 Rupees - way above market rate. I didn't have anything smaller. Guess what the douchebag tells me? May I have 20 dollars please? That's over 900 Rupees. Are you kidding me? I pretended to assume he's kidding and laughed it off. He insisted. He was serious. Anyway he didn't get his 20. I just walked away. But yes the dollar is still King out here. No questions about it.

May I have $20 please?

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

May I have $20 please?

Except in that tone of desperate begging that Indians love to use. Don't know if you're familiar with it or not. It's an act, an unseemly one, meant to guilt me into paying. Bite me!

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Except in that tone of desperate begging that Indians love to use. Don't know if you're familiar with it or not. It's an act, an unseemly one, meant to guilt me into paying. Bite me!

I saw similar in the Philippines. You let your heart break, and toss a few coins to one kid, and next thing you know, you have an entourage following you wherever you go.

ETA: Another time coming out of a Chinese Restaurant, one guy flagged down a taxi for me, and expected something in return. I gave him the doggie bag. Boy, was my fiancee pissed!

Edited February 11, 2010 by Lone Ranger

[spookyturtle 9,465]

Except in that tone of desperate begging that Indians love to use. Don't know if you're familiar with it or not. It's an act, an unseemly one, meant to guilt me into paying. Bite me!

Why do you hate Indians?

[scandal 951]

Why do you hate Indians?

He doesn't. He just hates beggars.

He's an American liberal. That means he loves the American poor, but hates foreign poor.

Actually, since it's AJ we're talking about, he pretty much hates all poor. All people, in fact.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I saw similar in the Philippines. You let your heart break, and toss a few coins to one kid, and next thing you know, you have an entourage following you wherever you go.

Yup. They will bleed you dry if they can. Compassion has to be strategic

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Actually, since it's AJ we're talking about, he pretty much hates all poor. All people, in fact.

Ha, I got into a conversation yesterday with a gentleman somewhat related to the family. Ex Communist Party member of the local chapter. Now retired, gets a pension from the Party (what what what?!?!).

He wanted to talk about India and America and all that usual stuff people here like to talk about. 00I thought I'd get a rise out of him. Told him the problem with India was the poor people. They drag this country back. Imagine my surprise when he nodded and agreed.

[Pooky 3,784]

And the Chinese are considering an arrangement with Pakistan to put permanent bases in that country (go back a couple of weeks for that thread). I'm sure it's just a coincidence ... NOT.

[Ban Hammer 13,342]

Yup. They will bleed you dry if they can. Compassion has to be strategic

you're sounding more and more like a republican!

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

you're sounding more and more like a republican!

Naw. Democrats want to be compassionate with somebody else's money.