A man decided to start a new life in a new city. He caught the express train and when he arrived at the station he went to the porter and asked him,"what are the people like in this city?" The porter replied, "what are they like where you come from?" The man said, "they are friendly, supportive and encouraging and I'll miss living there, but it's time to move on." The porter said, "you'll find the people in ths city exactly the same and you'll enjoy living here. Another passenger on the same train also approached the porter and asked the same question, "what are the people like in this city?" The porter replied, "what are they like where you came from?" The man said, "they are scumbags, rude, ignorant and unfriendly, and I'm glad I've left." The porter replied, "young man, you'll find the people in this city exactly the same and you'll find it difficult to settle down."

Ummmmmm...ok?

A wonderful story, thanks for sharing.

I think Margi's parable means ... you are what you eat, right?

...or you are who you meet?

A woman walks into a restaurant in a different country-by herself. She sees all the locals eating and enjoying themselves. She sits down at a table. She waits and waits. Finally a waiter hands her a menu and leaves her. Finally, he comes back. She does not speak his language but smiles and points to what she would like. He seems agitated and says (in his language) "No" "No" "No" she is puzzled and a little embarassed. She tries to communicate as best she can. <BR>He then points to a place on the menu that says (in his language) that no service after a certain time which is NOW within that time period. But, when she came in it would have been in the "correct" time. She motions like "what should I do" (hands held up, etc.). He makes it seem like she could just order a drink at the bar-no trying to help, or feel bad for her-no compassion. Tears well up in her eyes out of frustration and embarassement since there were families all around and enjoying themselves. She does not know what else to do so she has to get up and leave. She finds another place to eat. This is not a race thing either. But, sometimes those that live in European countries are not nice ambassadors either. <BR>

Does anyone have any idea what this thread is about or why it's here?

Maybe for cosmic relief. <BR>A.M.

I think you're all right and that it means, in the famous words of Alfred Packer, "Eat who you meet," or, put another way, "Meet your Meat." <BR> <BR>Or something like that. EEE YI EE YI OHHHH!

Wantobenice: And that would NEVER EVER happen in the US, right?? Im sure.

Wasn't that Hannibal Lector(sp) who said "eat who you meet." This does apply to travelling cause he liked to travel, didn't he? <BR>A.M