In a message dated 10/15/04 10:18:50 AM, wilden1-1@SBCGLOBAL.NET writes:

<< I find it interesting that Japan produced junk merchandise 30 years ago and

now they produce very good stuff for the most part. >>

I think that the Japanese goods brought into this country, for the most part,
are not very good.  The Japanese are experts in giving the appearance of
quality in the goods which they produce for our market.  I've seen this time and
again in cameras, electronics and tooling.  As an example, the Japanese will
pump a car door full of urethane foam so that it will have the "thunk" sound of
a well-made car.  We seldom see the goods in which they excel.  Their
traditional products, such as textiles and woodworking tools, are at the pinnacle of
quality and good design.  Whenever the Japanese produce what they think we
want, something is lost in the translation.

I have a similar view of the Chinese in that I think they should stick with
what they know the best -- bamboo.  Don't laugh, we are just beginning to see
the tip of the iceberg when it comes to products made of bamboo and comparing
mass produced Chinese baskets to those produced elsewhere will show that the
Chinese are the masters of the stuff.

George