TISA, i think it is really hard to explain it.. but u still did not get my point. i. ONE IS NEVER ONLY JUDGED MY THEIR WORK. IT IS ABOUT WHO YOU KNOW. moving to upper management is all about connection and who you know. NOT ABOUT HOW MUCH YOU KNOW OR WHAT YOU DO. YES PERFORMANCE MATTER. BUT THAT is in long run. any whoooo.. since you agreed that there is nepotism in US. I will agree that there is some recognition for HARD WORK and LABOR. as always being thick skinned (O: