Hi Graham

I could be way out here although I do have a bit more experience than most.

In Asia badminton has a far greater following than in Europe (Denmark excepted), especially UK. The history if badminton in Asia is culturally worlds apart from us. In Asia, becoming a professional badminton player means something, not just for the player but also their family too. Achieving could be the difference between poverty and a nice life.

Because of this, as I see it, the culture has been built of successfully copying their badminton hereos. As such, players will (have) dressed the same, used the same rackets etc. This also means they use(d) the same string and tension their hero used.

This has been passed on from generation to generation. Because of this, it's accepted that string tension is high almost regardless of a players standard of play.

In UK, there has been a huge culture of using plastic shuttles, coupled with players paying more attnetion to the lower maximum recommendation of string tension on Yonex rackets. In 1980's when carbon frames first appeared, it wasn't unusual to see recommended string tensions around 20lbs. The old Cab 8's were strung up to 24lbs (if you were a very high standard courty player and would dare to go to these extremes in line with professional players).

It's also fair to say that, in general, badminton is sport, a part sime where most players have no idea who represents England, never  mind holds the player in such high esteem. This adulation and hero worship may only come from the few adults and maybe a few more junior players.

So there is a massive disconnection between the professional players and club/social players compared to in Asia.

Overall, this is why we have such differences in ideals.

Paul