Michael Plant wrote:

>>Obviously it's considered acceptable in China: it exists and
>>it's legal. It's considered acceptable and legal in all cultures
>>whose trading practices adhere to the standards of the bazaar.
>
> Hey, that's not fair. In Iran -- many years ago and perhaps still today --
> when you buy something in the bazaar, it's probably been made before your
> eyes of ingredients and parts in your full view. So, the standards in the
> bazaar are pretty good. Also, I ate some of the best food with the bazaar
> guys, and it *was* delicious and *nutritious,* so dig yourself!

Yeah, d00d. That's what I've been trying to say: We don't need
no stinkin' lemon laws. Bazaar rules!

>>Not trusting anything you're told is a logical and prudent
>>consumer practice anywhere in the world. "Trust" is as
>>unnecessary (and trouble-causing) a concept in the marketplace as
>>it is in a marriage. Use your senses and your intelligence to
>>guide your business affairs (and your personal relationships),
>>and leave fuzzy, vague, indefinable, and always relative notions
>>of "trust" to the self-help-product hustlers. You'll do fine!
>
> Wow. Please do let us know where to send your counseling fee. You have
> completely turned my life around. (Yes, I'm joking. This is a joke.)

Damn. I was counting on that fee to carry me through the holiday
season.

>>>Small transactions in the US are usually honest, even amongst the
>>>crooks.
>>
>>Not so, if your determination of "honest" depends on accuracy in
>>advertising and labeling.
>
> Our standards here have sunk so low, we have no difficulty whatsoever
> meeting them. This obtains from chewing gum to presidents, both heavily
> marketed products.

Hey, we loves us our tee-vee and our Internet. More channels,
maestro!