Heh - I understand this is (mostly?) in jest, and I'm not going out of my way deliberately seeking offence.

Having left the Balkans, I find it very liberating, these days, when a proposal or idea of mine gets shot down, that I don't have to wonder: "Did they think I am a liar?", "Did I not articulate it over well enough?" and the like. It is such a relief, to know - it was most likely the idea, not myself.