Very true. Historically, it isn't common at all amongst mostly Northern European-descended populations that have that funny genetic trait that allows their bodies to produce large amounts of lactase after childhood. I think you pretty much figured out the ethnic backgrounds of most of the people participating in this particular thread by the assumption that lactose tolerance is some sort of "norm".

I am from a mostly Northern European background. My brother and I get it from our mom, who is completely Northern European. I'm not severely lactose intolerant, and my symptoms are nearly nonexistant when consuming unpasteurized dairy products. I suspect I still produce a little lactase and the beneficial flora in raw dairy products aid the lactose breakdown process somehow. I wonder if raw dairy products would make any difference to someone more intolerant. Somehow, I doubt it.