Lauraine, We have become a society of ( often ) uncaring individuals with a penchant for anonymity or the indifference of not acknowledging many negative perceptions as part of our own selves . ...not just in colonial times ! It is still a very common human condition ! We even try to soft-pedal truths and lies. We call them things like half-truths or fibs . In today's` time, we are subjected to both in commercials and other advertisements . As a child growing up in the fifties, I was subjected to many of these same lies . I was a bilingual eavesdropper that covered the fact of my absorption without a hint of understanding . It gave me a window to the souls of many people . Ahh ! There was definite satisfaction in my charade . I often felt that my ' little game ' dealt me an advantage that many of my peers were not privy to . Since becoming an adult, I had removed myself from my home town`s bigotry, but I still enjoy the occasional foray during family visits, however, my once prized use of the french language has suffered and I often can't understand a word that I'm hearing. Not an altogether strange thing in light of the fact that I often do not understand my wife`s use of the english language. Hearing problems ? ...Who, ...Me ...? - Naah ! Dave _syrnick@mts.net_ (mailto:syrnick@mts.net) WRITES : - how important reputations were in earlier times when even a hint of gossip could tarnish a family. -our families glossed over and told fibs about some of the unsavory - events. Society was quite cruel in colonial times.Lauraine **************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1222846709x1201493018/aol?redir=http://www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072&hmpgID=115&bcd =JulystepsfooterNO115)