Insightful post. I think the intolerence for anything different is the ultimate source of most conflict in the world. That video is hilarious.

Thanks Richard. It is sad that ppl are more willing & likely to see differences but not similarities amongst fellow human beings. Glad you like it.

Some people do feel the need to compartmentalise others,not sure why, maybe it's reassuring to believe they can put people in boxes. Around here (Yorkshire) I have the opposite problem, some people can't understand why I don't sound like them ... I come from further south.

The other day, another twitter friend told me someone in England asked her to speak in English. The irony is that she *is* English, and lives in England!

It doesn't surprise me to hear your friend's experience. For a small country, we seem to have a lot of people who cling to their regional ways and think anythink different is odd and foreign. Here, they actually call people from other parts of the country foreigners, and I think they're only half joking.

Over here, anyone who doesn't look like them is greeted with 'Where do you come from?' and assume that they must come from another country and cannot possibly be local!

That is us talking to the local oenologist! And the subtitles usually appear (magically) on his t-shirt.

Alex, if such an invention existed, people will come from far & wide, and possibly also from another galaxy far far away, just to purchase this!

When it comes to a form of conveying myself I employ empathy and a sense of humor where appropriate. May that be included body language or miming: my facial expression always pleasant with a slight smile...

Thanks for your comment, Doc Remy. Good advice, indeed.