SO Asian women have high blood pressure. Of course we do, we have to deal with Asian men.

Now, don't get me wrong. I have nothing against Asian men (except a few court injunctions). On the whole they are responsible and hard-working. But a minority are just hard work.

I mean, Asian women are not angels either, but that's another column. Let us consider Asian men on the roads for example.

I am not an overly confident driver but weaving through Wilmslow Road entitles me to some respect I feel.

I am always having to avoid crashing into an ambulance because a smart alec has parked on double yellow lines so he can buy an International Calling Card from the local telephone exchange.

Some of the scariest sights are when a taxi-driving maulana comes veering towards you. Mostly they are men with caps and long beards. Bhai sahib, you may not have any qualms about crashing and want to meet your maker but let me build up some credit first.

The arrogance of the younger ones is legendary. It might have been a supermodel who said, "I won't get out of bed for less than $10,000," but the way our brothers carry on its as if they invented this mantra.

No-one will consider the concept of starting from the bottom and working their way up. It has to be instant gratification even if that means going about things, shock, illegally.

Remember how your brothers get treated better than you. You have to do all the housework while he can't get a glass of water.

Even more annoying are the men who drive along slowly and ask you with desperation in their eyes if you will be their friend.

All this must stop.

But beware brother, the backlash has begun. At a recent function a bevy of female students, solicitors and marketing types told how they are busy rejecting armies of poor men who come asking for their hand in marriage. This is leaving their mothers exasperated.

One said, "He was a doctor, a doctor! And his parents were doctors, and his forefathers and ancestors were all doctors and he had a nice house and no brothers and sisters and still she said no."

It is a far cry from our day when we were grateful to have anyone at all interested. Among the redeeming features offered to us were: "He has a pulse" and "His mother doesn't."

But improved educational standards, ready made chapatties and female driving instructors have made it impossible to keep a good woman down.