How to answer a question stated in the negative? (#74; Topic L)

In today's New York Times, the caption of an op-ed piece begins with: "Europeans Not Entrepreneurial?" This reminds me of a problem in learning English -- from the Chinese perspective and from the American perspective. As a preface, in English, using double negative is a no-no; thus, "You ain't see nothing yet!" (#72) is unacceptable, even though, in my view, it is the most expressive declaration in English. Does this no-double-negative rule apply to answering a query stated in the negative? How should one respond to the Times's caption if, in one's view, Europeans are not entrepreneurial. In Chinese, one would answer "Yes," meaning that Europeans are not entrepreneurial. But, in USA, one would answer "No." Conversely, if Europeans are considered entrepreneurial, one in China would answer it "No," meaning that Europeans are entrepreneurial, while one in USA would answer it "Yes." Most confusing and most difficult, both logically and linguistically. The Times's caption then continues with "Yes They Are." What does that mean? Does that mean: "Yes, they are not entrepreneurial" (interpreting from the Chinese perspective), or "Yes, they are entrepreneurial" (interpreting from the American perspective)? For an old man out of China, to find out exactly what the writer has in mind, I have to read the piece -- the answer: "Yes, Europeans are entrepreneurial." In actuality, were the question posed as "Europeans Entrepreneurial?" one would give the same answer. Why is this so? I have no idea. I do know that many Chinese students have the same problem.
Posted at 12:01 pm, Wednesday, February 8, 2006