In the United States there's a Puritan ethic and a mythology of success. He who is successful is good. In Latin countries, in Catholic countries, a successful person is a sinner.
“I took some classes in sign language when I was in my early teens because I was told that I would be completely deaf very early. But I never really wanted to learn.”
“Just because I worked in fashion doesn't mean I didn't go to see 'Underworld' three times!”