too apparent at last week's chaotic, stormy, bitter, call it what you like, AGM of Bermuda Cablevision.

One incident above all others which best highlighted the immeasurable culture clash between the two countries was the confrontation near the end between the meeting's American chairman Mr. Allan McDonald and one of Bermuda's old-guard businessmen, Mr. Andrew Trimingham.

It happened when Mr. McDonald stormed back into the board room at Bermuda Chamber of Commerce only a few minutes after angrily and unilaterally declaring that the meeting was over and storming out in a rage.

"Why is this meeting still going on?'' demanded Mr. McDonald, with all the brashness and confidence normally associated with successful American businessmen.

Mr. McDonald must have thought he had entered a different planet when Mr.

Trimingham, who had not uttered a word all night, rose sharply from his seat, looking exceptionally distinguished with his grey, handlebar moustache and dressed in a shirt, tie, Bermuda shorts and knee-length socks.

Mr. Trimingham, keeping a dignified posture despite the chaos around him, roared back: "Why don't you show some decent manners? This meeting has not been adjourned. It is still going on.'' Mr. McDonald, looking decidedly shaken, quickly apologised.

For him, at least, it appeared to be the final straw in the break down of the business practices he was used to back home in Birmingham, Alabama, and those he was currently experiencing.

The seeds had already been sown when, earlier, Mr. Julian Hall MP said out loud: "While Mr McDonald's behaviour might be perfectly acceptable in Alabama or wherever the hell he's from, he should not forget that he's a visitor in this country.'' After such an onslaught, it was hardly surprising that, once the meeting was finished, Mr. McDonald and his brother, Bill, caught the first available flight back to their own, and very different, version of civilisation.

*** Memo to the motor insurance industry: the next time someone makes a claim, check out their birth sign. If they fall under Sagittarius, check their claim carefully. It could be a touch on the high side.

That is the one of the conclusions of a survey done by The Insurance Service (TIS) in London, which is a direct insurer.

Research into motor insurance claims submitted to TIS over the past five years shows that motorists born under the star signs Sagittarius, Leo and Virgo make the highest claims.

At the other end of the scale, and much more to the liking of the company, no doubt, are Taureans, Pisces and Gemini, who submit the lowest claims.

The average claim from a Sagittarian costs about 50 percent more than one from a Taurean, according to the survey, which was conducted by TIS chairman Richard Hill.

This does not necessarily mean that Taureans are more honest than Sagittarians. It could be that Taureans are more careful drivers or, in fact, generally drive cheaper cars than the rest of the zodiac.

Despite the overwhelming evidence of the statistics, no premium differentials are to be introduced.

"I really don't think we'll be employing an astrologer to work out our premium rates,'' said Mr. Hill.

"We have some very sophisticated computer programmes to calculate somebody's exact premium so I think we'll stick to that for the time being.'' According to the stars, the percentage difference between average claims are: Sagittarius, plus-19.3; Leo, plus-13.5; Virgo, plus-11.7; Capricorn, plus- 6.5; Cancer, plus-4.5; Libra, plus-2.3; Aquarius, plus-0.73; Scorpio, plus-0.04; Aries, -5.87; Gemini, -12.20; Pisces, -14.00; and Taurus, -29.80.