A TWO-WAY STREET

I was meeting in Manila with an officer from our Embassy. The hospital ship HOPE was in port, and I asked him how it was being received.

"Not well," he said. "Not well at all."

I thought I knew the reason why, but I had asked anyway.

He continued, "The doctors in The Philippines resent the presence of the HOPE. It brings with it an attitude of medical superiority ... we Americans can teach you Filipinos a thing or two. Our advanced technology is recognized as is the benefit of working with the American specialists onboard, but the pride of the local doctor is hurt."

I said, "But certainly they have things to learn from us."

"True," he said, "but it would be a great help if our doctors did not act as know-it-alls but sought to share medical experience. After all, we, too, have much to learn from others."