Word: lao
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Apparently not . . . I explain my concern to my Lao friends, who look at me rather blankly-politely-and at each other questionably. It gets closer and closer to the time when the plane is scheduled to leave. . . . Finally one of my friends realizes why I am upset, and explains...
...American style and the Lao style are so disparate that no American will believe that a Lao can be trusted to perform well. And as long as there are Americans around to "help out," to give the natives the benefit of their expertise, then Lao casualness will continue to be taken at face value, as a sign of hopeless incompetence...
...Lao know what the Americans think of them, and they respond with mixed emotions. Almost without exception they worship American materialism. . . . Where the Americans go, so does money, and things to spend the money on-movies, records, radios, clothes, cars, motorcycles. Of course, for as long as you care about them, you can spend the American dollars on uniquely Lao status symbols and valuables-silk, gold ornaments, huge, lavish parties for all your family and friends...
...Lao who goes on caring about Lao things longer than most tempers his love of American money with prideful resentment of Americanization. Yet outwardly he is as charming and warm as the most enthusiastic concert to the American...
...This Lao charm confuses most Americans, even revolts them, since they insist on judging the Lao culture by American standards of "straightforwardness." "These folks sure don't shoot from the hip, do they now? Come to think of it, they might even shoot you in the back." For some reason Texans seem disproportionately represented in the Foreign Service...