True story. I was in Athens last August for a conference. Friend Janis from Norway shows up, says hi to mutual friend, Ruslan and I. Janis’ American wife had just given birth to his first child in Buffalo NY.

“What are you doing here, Janis??” I said.
“It’s traditional in Europe for the man not to see his wife give birth or to see her for at least a week or month after the birth.” Ruslan said.
“Janis, that ain’t traditional in America…You wife must be upset” I said
“Yeah” Janis said with a smile. “She was supposed to give birth in Norway, but decided to go back to her family in Buffalo instead. I visited her in June.”