Explanations Welcome.

I wish I understood this country a little more. It seems like the more I read, the more I think I understand... the more I know that I really don't get it at all. I find that everyday, I have to just put it aside in order to avoid requiring a paradigm shift in thought just to buy vegetables.

In my world, perhaps a very western one, veracity and charachter and honesty are all very important things, things that make up who I am, and what I expect the people around me to be. Here.. that really isn't the case. I'm not sure if it's the result of the abject poverty, the "Get mine any way I can to survive" type attitude, or what... But it's everywhere. Is it vestigal? Is it a charachter trait of the country? Becuase it's still prevelant in the upper classes, who certainly aren't wondering about their next meal. If you swindle me, or steal from me, or lie to me, and I fall for it, it's my fault. And you should bear no reprecussion if I catch you, other than to laugh with me over my own stupidity. Everyone is very quick to forgive here, the swindling and stealing and cheating go nearly unmarked.

Is it a result of the religion here? The fact that, once explain to me by a friend, a bad life here is only like a bad day in our lives - you get another one to try again. With the belief in reincarnation and 2nd, 3rd, 19th chances - does it really matter what kind of shitty house you live in now? Mayhap you'll just get a better one in the next life. You can't take it with you, and you really can't change anything that's preordained and has a set plan.. so why try? I have a feeling communism would work here. We want better for our children, we want them to have more- schooling, a house. It doesn't appear that anyone wants to move out of their station here. Or perhaps, their idea of more, is just smaller and less noticeable than ours - bigger meals instead of bigger houses?

I'm confused. I wish I understood more, I wish I could have somebody give me straight answers; instead of those tainted with patriotism, shame or misunderstanding. I want to be able to wrap my head around this country that I'm living in.. and somehow.. I'm pretty sure I need an exponentially bigger head.