What does seem to work is something Japan Inc. used to sneer at - shareholder value.

CNN: THE NEW JAPAN INC.

But in these splendid establishments perhaps there was simply nothing to sneer at.

ECONOMIST: A successful restaurant involves more than just good food

Meanwhile, they continue to sneer at the company's expected 2001 earnings increase of 12%, which is a little less than 2000's gain over 1999.

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And it would be easy to sneer at such gender politics.

ECONOMIST: Working men's clubs

Seeing the phantom-like outline of the Dolomites against the night sky, it feels harder to sneer at stories of witches, sorcerers and secret gates to the underworld.

BBC: Legends of the Italian Dolomites

Even some preachers loyal to the fiery Shia preacher Muqtada al-Sadr, who used to sneer at the notion of a fair vote under American occupation, have become far more pliant since he ended the uprising of his rebel Mahdi Army in the Shias' holiest city, Najaf, in August.

ECONOMIST: Iraq

If Obama really wanted to change politics as usual, rather than sneer at those with whom he disagrees, he had a perfect opportunity to unite the country by scaling back the DHS ammo purchase.

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He has even stuck with the Citizen's Charter for public services--a policy at which commentators like to sneer but which has done more to improve services than is ever reported in the national media.

ECONOMIST: John Major

Add to that a low Australian dollar, excellent food and wine, friendly and easy-going people who do not sneer at tourists, because they travel themselves, first-world health and safety standards and a low crime rate, and the place sounds irresistible.

ECONOMIST: A survey of Australia