Almost good.

[trof]

Back in the day, when I was flying for a Japanese cargo carrier (NCA), we'd go to Tokyo for our annual 'refresher' training.


After a simulator session the instructor pilot would say "Almost good."

One day I asked him if that meant 'pretty good'.
"No. Means no good."


I later learned that 'almost good' was the highest accolade we'd ever get from the Japanese. 'Good' or 'excellent' would never apply to us round eyes.

We could never be as good as (or better than) the few Japanese pilots working there.

You live and learn.

[Scuba]

1. National pride is as harmful as racial hatred.

[trof]

2. During the 10 years I worked for the Japanese it was interesting.

I grew up in the south in the 40s and 50s.
Racial bias was the accepted culture.

Being a 'minority' was new to me and a real eye opener.

I was once denied entrance by a bouncer to a bar/night club because "Japanese only".