Mudjack - you speak of the European "can do no wrong" attitude. I don't think that's a fair generalisation, although I accept that it's typical of the Germans, and (Heaven knows) if the Lord had meant there to be a European Community then he would never have invented the French!
I have worked for the UK arms of more than one American organisation and the most frustrating common aspect of those experiences has been their refusal to accept that any suggestions originiating from outside the US are worth persuing.