Sarcasm is an adjusted stress reaction.

I will say that last time I cried in the ER, it didn't really get my anywhere, but turning green and being about to throw up was pretty effective (different trip).

I get that Outside the Commonwealth (aka the Americans) might not know about the Opium Wars, but generally the British Empire not being great seems to have hit cultural osmosis? I'd think?

I am glad that I waited until this year to read Ancillary Etc, as I think I'd have gotten hit with overhype at the time, and really liked the books now.