-- First of all, to the LW. It is not your money, you did not earn it, you did not contribute to it and he owes you nothing. Get his advice, may be get a job, write a business plan but there is no damn thing as a free lunch.

Now on to Tin Woman. You sound like a crazy, uninformed socialist.

I am Nigerian - not just african (It is a continent, not a country). Son of 2 academics, US educated (in the midwest no less) and I need to debunk your myths.

First of all Mobutu is dead. 2nd of all, he died with about $4Bn in Swiss and Euro bank accounts - so your story about giving it all to his family is BS.

Idi Amin was an economic disaster for Uganda - and his tribe.

2nd of all, I am a young african male who has done ok for himself and I will not be forced to give anyone anything. The only people I have to take care of are my parents - who paid for my very expensive american education.

Your friend sounds like he was stupid with his money... or just misguided. He might have also taken you for a ride - in more ways than one.

I on the other hand, am an unabashed capitalist - so please spare us the amateur anthropology.

Thanks.

Oh, and please google Aliko Dangote. He is a self made Nigerian Billionaire....

Interesting, I went to college in Michigan.

This is the last word from me.

Africans are not all alike. Get it through your skull, we are not all poor or political refugees. I know it's hard to do... but please try.

Some of us are even highly educated professionals who can work anywhere in the world. We choose the US because it offers the best economic climate for us to succeed.

Your initial statement and response reek of cultural condescension.

You sound a lot like those people who think Barack Obama is uppity.

How dare an African want to be successful and rich!!!

How dare you!!!

Don't you know that you are supposed to be the World's whipping boys - so that I can tell my story about my angelic, sweet Sudanese friend who doesn't know how to manage his own finances.

Then, to add insult to injury, you talk about African culture - there is no monolithic African culture and you just showcased your staggering ignorance.

Spare me the history lessons from the Polish Journalist; it was a great read but it still does not change my underlying thesis - you know nothing about Africa or individual African cultures - so do not talk about things you know nothing about.

In another history lesson, Nigeria, like India, has had a highly educated upper middle and upper class for a long time.

Most of them stay in Nigeria, some of them move abroad - to the US, the UK and Canada. And they take their middle class/upwardly mobile values with them.

This is not something new. I know this shatters your African refugee fantasy and I do apologize for the reality check.

And finally, unless the US becomes a socialist nation, it is not a crime to want to be rich in this country. And I, unlike some of my email scamming brethren - want to make my money the legal way, but yes, I do admire the ingenuity in some of the stories they concoct.

However, you would have to be greedy AND foolish to fall for one of those schemes.

I am Nigerian. Educated all over Africa till I was 17; when I made my way to the Midwest for University.

But I think we can put this topic to rest. We can both agree that the LW can dream all he wants... it's not his money.

I really want to call bullshit on this.... but it might be a sign of my own ignorance.... I thought that since we guys have to make the moves that women did not feel the need to get very nervous... I guess I was wrong. I live in NYC though - dating is a contact sport out here.

One thing first though: @ LikeLife - please relax... some people have aesthetic preferences.... it's not fair but it is real life - deal with it.

I am 6ft tall, weigh 197lbs, work out 3x - 4x a week and attractive women still intimidate me - despite all my supposed pluses, I still get intimidated by an attractive woman. However, nothing bores someone more than stating the obvious... so you are going to have to find something else to talk about.

It also depends on your goals. If you want to bed "hot" men; just make yourself available... listen a lot, talk less and take the initiative when you feel like - "how about drinks back at my place..., dinner and a movie night... etc".

If you want a relationship with a "hot" man... you'll need to develop some personality.... flirt more.... learn outrageous jokes.... pick up new hobbies...

If you are as attractive as you say you are... there will be some "hot" men who would obviously want to sleep with you.

Getting a relationship with one will take more work however.

I haven't read the other letters but this is my experience.

Your son will love you and love his upbringing.... but there is a good chance that as a result of childhood deprivation, you will have a future lawyer or banker on your hands. Sometimes kids who grow up with nothing, take their motivation and compensate for it as adults. I know I did ... and we weren't even poor - just lower middle class for a time.