On Thu, 31 Jan 2008 09:01:51 +0000, Invisible <voi### [at] devnull> wrote:

>>> I'm pretty sure we've had this conversation before... It basically
>>> amounts to "I don't know where to start".
>> 
>> 	Cheap way: Read the news (while trying to gain the skill of what news
>> to read and what not to).
>
>I never do this. The news is far too damn depressing.
>

And lies (or is that BS or spin). I don't read much in the papers (deliberate
decision after working for a tabloid years ago) I listen to the radio where I've
a better chance of recognising BS.

>> 	Expensive way: Travel.
>
>I never did understand how travel is supposed to teach you anything. 
>(Other than how to feel lost and afraid - which I already know how to do.)
It teaches you how to cope. You're story a few years ago about being invited to
the US office reminded me about my first trip abroad. 1974 and a week in Paris
for a training course. I was terrified about going, I could not speak French and
I would starve, get lost and make a fool of myself. My wife almost kicked me out
of the house to make me go. That experience changed my life, I found out what
food should taste like and I survived the travel. 
It is not the actual travelling that broadens your mind but seeing that you can
do "hard" things. I still cannot speak any other language other than English but
I have travelled throughout Europe and other places, getting by, by looking at
people, speaking in a soft tone, smiling and pointing.
It has made me much more confident and a more interesting conversationalist (I
hope). 
Some old codger's advice: When you are older it is the things that you've not
done that you regret not the things you have done.

Regards
	Stephen

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