John Brown BTW, to publicize my pro-American credentials, I can't help but admire American dentistry, after living many years abroad (and recently undergoing what I hope is a successful root-canal operation in the USA imperial capital by my long-time dentist).
Are not many parts of the world where teeth are ... well, neglected? We 'Merikans certainly have got out teeth straightened right (for those who can afford it)!
One of my shocks in my first Foreign Service posting in the early 1980s was in London, where impeccably dressed, impeccably perfumed, impeccably polite gentlemen never seemed to have ever brushed their teeth. (I "democratically" exaggerate).
Is that why there was an American revolution avant la lettre? (Well, ok, George Washington needed wooden dentures).
***
Also: nails, nails, nails (I refer to toenails): The most shabilly-dressed, unshaved, shoeless flip-flop persons in the US of A (granted, presumablly if they earn a certain income) cut/have their toenails properly "presented" in public.
Just ride the "multi-racial,"multi-generational," "multi-gendered" dysfunctional Washington, D.C. metro and take a look at persons' (of all ages) with quite exceptionally-healthy looking teeth/nails (by universal standards), images quite easily documented on the 'Net.
Are not these all-American teeth and nails -- for those who in the USA can afford taking care of such human bodily extremities (one down, one up) -- a minor but not insignifcant example of America's true/"honest" public diplomacy [JB emphasis], non-governmental-sponsored message to the world?
Are not many parts of the world where teeth are ... well, neglected? We 'Merikans certainly have got out teeth straightened right (for those who can afford it)!
One of my shocks in my first Foreign Service posting in the early 1980s was in London, where impeccably dressed, impeccably perfumed, impeccably polite gentlemen never seemed to have ever brushed their teeth. (I "democratically" exaggerate).
Is that why there was an American revolution avant la lettre? (Well, ok, George Washington needed wooden dentures).
***
Also: nails, nails, nails (I refer to toenails): The most shabilly-dressed, unshaved, shoeless flip-flop persons in the US of A (granted, presumablly if they earn a certain income) cut/have their toenails properly "presented" in public.
Just ride the "multi-racial,"multi-generational," "multi-gendered" dysfunctional Washington, D.C. metro and take a look at persons' (of all ages) with quite exceptionally-healthy looking teeth/nails (by universal standards), images quite easily documented on the 'Net.
Are not these all-American teeth and nails -- for those who in the USA can afford taking care of such human bodily extremities (one down, one up) -- a minor but not insignifcant example of America's true/"honest" public diplomacy [JB emphasis], non-governmental-sponsored message to the world?
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