Selfish in a New Way

Selfishness takes on unique forms in another culture. Selfishness in America is easy to spot. It’s the guy with an Audi who won’t give spare change to the homeless man on the corner. It’s the jerk who steals your parking spot after you waited patiently for grandma to pull out of it. But move to a new country, and selfishness takes on new forms. It doesn’t look the same.

Cambodia is place enveloped with selfishness, understandably so because of its cruel history. It’s easy to understand why the people are opportunistic when you know how hard many of them fought to stay alive 40 years ago and the violent acts they witnessed during that time. The Khmer Rouge killed 2 million people in cold blood in front of their family and friends. Clearly the consequence of such horror, is to protect yourself and your family. That “save yourself” mentality still has not died out of the culture.

Everyone has their own way of being selfish, but in a different country it look very different. It's interesting to look around and note the unique forms that selfishness can take in unique cultures.