"I never buy cars built in America" (#55; Topic J)

Returning to my car after ordering a plate glass at a strip mall in Rehobeth Beach last Friday, I saw a small, boxy car parked next to mine. With a nameplate I had never seen before, but with a contour similar to a Citroen, I thought it might be a hybrid car imported from France. My standing in front of the car apparently attracted the owner's attention, who, on his way to a drug store next door, stopped and turned back. He said it is a Japanese car, imported from Japan. Because of its economical gas consumption, 38 mpg, the car is very much in demand, with each dealer allotted only 5 cars. He got his from a dealership in a nearby town. Before leaving, he repeated that the car was built in, and imported from, Japan. For emphasis, he added: "I never buy cars built in America." Hearing this, I said: "I am just the reverse. I never buy cars built in Japan." Leaving the parking area and reviewing his comment, I realized that this gentleman not only did not buy American cars built in America, but also cars with Japanese nameplates built in America. By the same token, I should have said to him: "I don't buy things Japanese." Over the decades, my wife and I have owned perhaps 10 cars; they were/are either American or German. My watches are Swiss-made. My boss gave me the very first TV, back in the 1950s; it was a Magnavox; since then, I have bought Zeniths, RCAs, or GEs -- my latest purchase was a Memorex with a built-in DVD. In addition to several GE clock-radios, I have a beautifully designed one, a B&O, a gift from our son. When I came to USA, I brought my Leica with me; I later bought a Rollei; at the moment, I am in the market for a digital, most likely it would be an HP.
Posted 8:34 pm, Monday, January 30, 2006
Posted at 8:19 pm,