Interesting facts about the short story writer, Stephen crane.
Susie, I am sorry I missed the original question so I don't know what the norm may be. I tend to side with CC. Why compare one country or person to another? Why is being 5 years behind (if that is the case) the rest of Europe bad? One of the heirs to Sam Walton's fortune (huge, monolithic discount store in the USA, Wal Mart) drives a Ford F 150 pickup truck (a run of the mill, average, regular vehicle) certainly not commiserate with the funds she has available to spend. She choses to be 'behind the times' so to speak. Who ever said that all technology is beneficial? Whoever said that having electronic relationships via the internet is better than greeting, smiling and talking with your neighbor? Personally, I would rather be a little anachronistic than futuristic. But that's me. And I have great respect for you and your country. Is it 5 or 10 years behind anybody? I don't know. Is it better or worse than anybody? I don't know. Is it different from anybody? Absolutely, and I am glad for it.
