Certainly Japan and Korea are 1st world. Thailand and Vietnam, I'm going to switch to 2nd world, certainly outside the major cities. Maybe still outdated, so lets say more an agrarian society. Or at least a WIDE disparity in wealth distribution (run over and kill a cop... not a problem if you have the money... but that average delivery guy being shaken down by a cop...) Then start comparing salaries with costs... know what a new car costs in Thailand, compared to an office worker's salary... Private hospital or govt hospital (not quite live or die, but... just ask a Thai which they'd prefer). Sure, BKK seems quite well off, but isn't there a reason why there are so many som-tam carts out on the street in the heat....Originally Posted by faruk
I will admit I was lumping in China with the latter, and China is certainly not 3rd world, but... with 1.4 billion people, not everyone is going to be middle class. Frankly, I was amazed at the lack of govt social programs in a communist/socialist/whatever state. I think you might be hard-pressed to find that CentreLink number in your standard PRC city... Education free up to 9th grade (though still allowed to charge for extras (hmmm, does THAT sound familiar?), but good ole high school and university... not everyone's getting in, and even if you do, better have some cash for tuition... Granted, I'm just not that familiar with govt financial aid programs there. Perhaps Machiavellian, but you have to keep that supply of factory workers coming to build all those Apple phones, electric cars, etc., etc. And those factory workers, what, $1000/month, but I know some small shop workers making half that. And I do know that older workers, say 30ish, are discriminated against in the service (example restaurant) industry - perception is that they're just not going to move as fast as a 20ish someone. Medical/dental fees can seem low to me, but then, I'm not working for $1k/month... that $15 extraction could seem to be a better choice than that $100 crown for some... Winter heating costs, piped in hot water or coal... neither are free. Medical insurance costs, govt retirement fees so you might get something when you retire... Sure, if you're working in that major bank in Beijing, Shanghai... might not be a problem. But if you don't have permission to move there, and you're stuck in "my hometown-ville", small business... money might be a bit tighter...
So... if your own education has been somewhat stunted, your family is not middle class, but you still want a better future... such as a house/owned apartment, savings for retirement, food on the table, getting your kid in a good school... that $1000/month isn't going far. Maybe if there's 2 of you... but death of a husband, his bailing... doesn't seem like child support is going to be top agenda in a male dominated society... But I'm guessing there...
So the opportunities and paths open for advancement just might not be as open as one would think in a 1st world country. If nothing else, a LOT of competition for that job. 9th grade education, even a high school one, might go a lot further elsewhere if there's a couple of orifices available... Kid put through school, parents have a comfortable retirement, you just might be able to afford that apartment (if it ever gets built), dad gets his medicine, sibling gets an education... NEVER underestimate the family obligations in an Asian family... Big difference between 1st world and equal opportunity for all... All those PRC uni kids you see overseas... I doubt that all that many have factory worker parents...
That's my view and experience. YMMV.
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