We have definitely been talking past each other. Mostly because we understand the term "database" differently (see my other reply to you). I am actually mostly in agreement with you, since I don't do that much web development these days either. And narrow judgements may not do anyone good, but I think precise definitions would have helped us in this case. :)
I've never done "database" stuff either, but I've "read from persistent data sources" (Fortran formatted read ftw). But if I tried to claim this counted as "database experience" on a job application I don't think many people would agree.
