Knowing What We Know may be a particularly American trait. We pop into Knowing What We Know whenever we meet something entirely unfamiliar. Then, zing! We Know What We Know. You know?

It's like flapping away in a flock of fellow migrating birds, but sailing off a little to the northwest when the flock is headed due north. We encounter a strange bird behind a cloud, and we are, suddenly and without reason, exactly who we are. Smacked in the middle of surprise, we tumble back into Knowing What We Know, catch our balance, and flap back to the flock without delay.

It's not like we always Know these things, but in an instant, we can access them with such certainty that we might as well be radioactive with Knowing. We Know we're entitled to good service. Or we Know our story will be incredibly relevant to the person we're talking to. Or we Know what the problem is, and can immediately give the Right Advice.

How American. One of the youngest countries in the world, and more people who Know What We Know per capita than any other nation.

Yesterday, I found out during my visit to China that I Know:
-that price really is too high.
-every hotel room should have a bathtub
-signs in English are better than signs in any other language
-that woman should really be more careful about what she says
-and many other things worth repeating many many times, but which are too embarrassing to repeat in the afterKnow.

So what do you Know lately?