^ True, you did say often the case, and I kind of ran with it.

As a trained spy, I am, obviously, tuning in to this. There is, I am sure, an interesting discourse on the socio-economically driven dichotomy between the USA, on the one hand, and the UK, on the other; concerning 'class' and 'status'. Noticeably: do you want to be some ancient English nob, maintaining the quarteringof his coat of arms (some go to 152+ quarterings), living in a crumbling pile, consequential on the depredations of war, extravagance and taxes - or do you revitalize the fortunes and future inheritance, by dint of bringing in American heiresses? well, it was done, over and over again: cigar-chomping; Arrow-driving; yacht-owning Americans sent their daughters over, like lambs to the slaughter, to be spliced-up with our chinless, fortune-less wonders. There's a topic for another tie, Formbs! Just be sure that you aren't fobbed-off with an illuminated, spinning, pre-tied one. I have bowed out of the tie-race; because (although I'd relish having one), it is evident that hell would freeze over before our rather earnest host accorded one to little me.But, hell, yeah, I mean, go for it!

Last edited by Dudley Clarke (2014-10-25 16:15:13)

^I believe Edith Wharton wrote "The Buccaneers" about the very subject.