In a delicately veiled criticism of China’s sticking point, Howard French points to the alleged progress of their neighbor to the south. The article is worth reading, but from my own experience in Vietnam, I wouldn’t venture to say the people are particularly over the war, especially those in Hanoi and other northern cities. Maybe his trip offered some spectacular insights that mine didn’t, but I just can’t draw the same conclusion when, buying water or going to an internet cafe, it’s not uncommon for the merchants to look at you, look at the price posted on the wall, and then charge twice the amount. That, I have never experienced in China. But once a guy did try to charge me 2RMB for a pineapple that normally retails at 1RMB; and he did it with a warm smile

Mr. French must have come down with a case of the China blues. Expats contract it if they’ve stayed in the country for 3 consecutive months or more. The result - visiting any other country seems like a breathe of fresh air. Click the link above, or better yet, visit both countries and see for yourself.

P.S. Just to be fair, after I walked out of the Internet cafe in Hanoi, refusing to pay double everyone else, I stumbled upon another place. Confirmed the price, checked my email (none), and when I tried to pay, the woman refused to accept my money. You can never find that in China. But once I got a free lighter. But that was because my local dialect is slick!!!!