>> so the scale and investment involved in a
> typical commercial operation is incomprehensible to many Europeans

> For info, most Europeans have now been fitted with brains.

I hope they came with instructions and training wheels.

Truly, without being to some of these operations, visiting their 
locations, and travelling with the owners and staff, no one, including 
me, could possibly begin to imagine what is involved.

>> I'm afraid that no matter how I try, I cannot explain the obvious to
>> those who do not wish to see it.
>
> I suspect this feeling is shared by many in Europe.

Only for those with a chip on their shoulder or a superiority complex.

 > North America vs Rest of the World?

Try as we may, it is really really hard to convince many here that each 
situation is different and that context is important.  What or seems to 
work for one or some may not work for all and an example or one 
cherry-picked study is not proof.

Every situation is different.  North America is different.  Asia is 
different.  So is Australia and so are each of the tiny, self-important 
and shape-shifting states of Europe.

The lesson taught here over and over but never learned is that each of 
us has a story and a unique circumstance that may or may not apply 
elsewhere and is not the template for the rest of the Universe.

Sometimes we can imagine the other's situation and parameters, but more 
often not.A lot of us have trouble knowing and reporting our own 
situation and what we ourselves are doing or imagine we are doing.

We can learn from one another, but each has to find his or her own way.

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