The Comment

(Props to Linde for inspiring me to post, however short.)

In class the other day, I was describing the uber-American concept of 'Keeping up with the Joneses'.  After giving my whole spiel on conspicuous consumption, I asked my students if this concept applied at all in Poland.  One response I received provides more insight to American-Polish differences than any anthropology dissertation ever could.

"Lets say Mr. Jones is a farmer," began the student.
"In America, if Mr. Jones buys a cow, you're going to go out and buy two cows, correct?"
"Correct," I replied.
"Well in Poland," the student continued, "if Mr. Jones buys a cow, you're just going to go next door and shoot his cow in the head."

My students nodded their heads simultaneously as laughter erupted from the room.