Gandhi said it with a beautiful sense of irony when he visited England in the 1930's. A journalist asked: " what do you think of Western civilization, Mr. Gandhi?" He replied: " I think that would be an excellent idea."

Some say: people are the same where ever you go, however, I lived the first half of my life in SE Pennsylvania, the second half in Canada (various places) and now working on the third half - 8 years in SE PA, and the last 2+ in the Pacific NW.

I miss the gentler Canadian "way of life" tremendously and rue the day I left - second biggest mistake of my life. (my marriage) There are different attitudes in the NW than in PA . This is, for me, an easier place to live, esp here on the south end of Whidbey Island which is, qualitatively, very different than the north end!

The "American way of life" ? Like any other "group" - ask ten people and get ten dif answers. People are, individually, the same every where, depending on the depth of connection. But as a group??? Which group where? On mudcat, there seems to be, mostly, the same sorts I delight in here on Whidbey - but up the road 25 miles is a different world. I would dislike it there as much as I did SE PA.

Everyone is correct - it is like the blind men and the elephant!