> In nearly all cases, when I use * I mean multiplication.


Yes, but based on your .sig, I'm guessing you're a heavy math-head.  (I don't
say that like its bad, mind you, I'm only a wannabe math-head.)

> For me, the use
> 'a(*b)' is so uncommon, that when that's what I want I write it explicitly
> to avoid ambiguity.
>
> I would set the default parsing to (foo)*(1.1) in all cases, and only use
> 'foo(*1.1)' when explicitly stated.


FWIW, I agree.