Job Discussion Forums

[Danaa]

[mark_in_saigon]

apples and oranges, they are pretty similar to me, when viewed in the context of this country. Compare driving a motorbike here and in the west. Both are motorbikes, but the differences are so profound that the "apples and oranges" concept is not very meaningful. Same with many subjects. I rarely watch TV here, as I hate it in the west, but perhaps I should watch it more. I recall seeing a news clip on agriculture one day when I was in the north, they were showing pigs in the clip, and suddenly somebody bops one of the pigs in the head with a #16 sledgehammer, the pig flops around and dies, yikes! This is just part of life here. But as westerners, we consider it to lower our status on the circle of life if we knowingly eat dog, or whatever our animal of choice is this decade. I recall some some story once about a million dollar crab in some western movie, as they were not allowed to kill a real crab for some cultural reason, so they spent some huge money killing this fake crab. What would be the morality of killing one more crab, even eating it, and sending the million to the poor over here? They don't kill real crabs to support the meals for the movie industry?


I think if you live here, moral issues cannot be viewed the same way they are in the west. Instead, I think of "what is workable, what keeps me in the good graces of the powers, what keeps me safe and healthy", I do not view my actions through the prism of western concepts of morality.

I do think we are about to get totally derailed from the original purpose of this particular thread, and perhaps the administrators can move the discussion to where it belongs, or perhaps someone might start a new discussion that would encompass these ideas. But then again, so many of these specific questions boil down to more basic concepts of coping with life here. What starts off being a discussion on cold french fries may actually be understood in terms of fifth century Confucian doctrine, or some such thing. I am still trying to decide if it is really Disneyland or Bizzaro Superman world, I am leaning towards Bizzaro Superman.

[Andy123]

MOD EDIT I love these guys who travel abroad sermonize their idealistic fantasies of being culturally kind, loving and tolerant. Viewing life through rose colored glasses is OK but it is not real.

The world is a cruel and unjust place and to pretend that it is not or it exists only in small portions is delusional.

I was a product of these culturally sensitive international schools. I listened and believed all that my teachers taught and attempted to incorporate it in my life. I came to realize that it was not realistic as all of mankind are self-seeking.

Working legally? Give me a break. I would bet you did not always work legally in your own country. Did you always pay your taxes on all income? Did you break/bend any labor laws?

I can tell you of plenty of people who have all their paperwork and can not get a WP. I know people who have no paperwork and have WP. No company here follows ALL the official rules. Are you following all the rules?

Legal businesses? I have known plenty of business people over the many years who wanted to do the right thing and they all have horror stories. The rules are always bent. I know a large multinational company who has a very strict anti- graft policy and they bend the rules.

Question? Do you sometimes drive on the sidewalks? Do you drive a motorbike? Do you buy pirated CD�s or watch pirated cable? Do you have intimate relations with a local person who you are not married to? Do you pay all of your taxes and checked it with the tax department? Have you enjoyed a beverage or meal while sitting on the sidewalk? Do you check the legal residence cards of all workers that you receive services from because a vast majority are not legally authorized to work outside their province? The list can go on and on.

These are all illegal activities in Vietnam and I�m sure you partake in some if not all. MOD EDIT