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Is it common? Yes, absolutely !  I call it the 'think today' attitude to life, tomorrow can look after itself.

I've been here only a year and a half, but it seems to be prevalent throughout the society and I have often pondered the root of this thinking. It seems to me that the Buddhist traditions, and, or the result of the post American war sanctions developed the sustenance, hand to mouth, mentality. IMHO, of course.

This is there lifestyle they choose to work with. It frustrates me as well and as a teacher I want to prepare my students for the eve changing global economy, but with a "think today" attitude it kind if negates what I'm trying to implement.  Another business model that bugs me is how they don't know what competition is. Stores, food vendors, and other businesses like to clump together and sell the same product.  I don't know how some of these places stay in business when everyone around them sells the exact same thing.

Yes, absolutely right about Vietnamese.
My mom and my dad also do bussiness. And they always think about long term, and they are quite successful, in many years! Money is not the first thing they think about. And thats why the price is always cheaper than others! Even sometimes I think its so cheap, but if I said, should increa a little, they always said: NO! My mom sells drinks at home, and some years ago, a Hanoi beer is 6.5k. I said, why not 7k? But nobody can convince her to change the price ! Bó tay!
Same same with my dad, he does another business, with many customers, because his products are unique, he draw all by himself. Many people  buy from him, then they can sell with nearly double price. Haizz!

But finally, they are happy, that's the most important with me!

You could post that OP in the Indonesia forum and be just as right.

The OP does beg a question.

Is that attitude so bad?

I suspect stress levels are far lower than in the west.

I guess what is being discussed is what makes this part of the globe so attractive to Westerners. Having been through so many capitalistic experiences and the sheer stress of those societies, a simple lifestyle is very attractive. How quality of life is measured in various places is vastly different.

One thing I learned in my MBA program is that each country has its own custom when it comes to dealing with business. For instance, it is normal in Asian country to have a sit down and drink prior to any business deals. Sometimes it could take months to develop a relationship and no guarantee that you be getting a deal at all. On the other hand, in the states deals are made on the same day and first impression is important to make or break a deal. Can't say the same thing applies in Asian country. Everything takes time here. My point is instead of fighting the custom and tradition why not just accept things the way they are? Did I mention bribes and corruptions are the norms in any Asian country? You could say people in these countries could use a business course in ethics when it comes to dealing business.

Gravitas wrote:

Having been through so many capitalistic experiences and the sheer stress of those societies, a simple lifestyle is very attractive..

Been there, done that, got reminded of it this weekend.

I started the new version of my life in a tiny village, a place where a traffic jam was when three cars came past at once.
We visited last weekend, and I wondered why the heck we ever moved to a city.

We've been talking about moving back, but to a smallish town so I can still buy a KFC now and again.

Fred wrote:

I started the new version of my life in a tiny village, a place where a traffic jam was when three cars came past at once.
We visited last weekend, and I wondered why the heck we ever moved to a city.

.

That is me - well just about.  got my spot all picked out, sussed it all out.  Just tying up some loose ends in Aus before heading back to Vn to commence the next phase my life.   Nice quiet life in a smaller and quieter environment so i can enjoy what real life has to offer...

gg1965,

That a very keen observation.

The same short-sightedness, on the part of the Vietnamese, that used to exasperate me, and I am a Vietnamese-American.  But then, I looked into the extended history of Vietnam, where it's filled with turmoils, I kind of understood and began to adjust my own approach to them.  And, as pointed out by many on here, I was able to appreciate the Vietnamese more and enjoy my time here more.

Hey, there's nothing wrong with that old saying, "If you can't beat them, join them."  Worked good fo me.   

That's right , if you can't beat them , join them at their game.

The advantage we have in that "game" is that most foreigners have a memory.  I'm convinced some of the local people have the memory of goldfish.    They will blatently try to cheat you , and then next day look puzzled when you walk past their business and into the door of a competitor.   

They just don't "get it".     Building rapport and repeat business for future growth is thrown away just to scam a few extra dong on a sale , only to see that person not come back and tell others about their bad experience.     It's a shame.

It's that live in the moment thing.  Only yesterday Yogi met a new lady friend and she wanted to know if I'd teach her daughter to swim.  Long distance ocean swimming is Yogi's sport so no problem....guess what ???   She said we go to beach NOW.......   

Grrrrrrrr,  she expected me to drop everything, cancel anything else I had planned that afternoon and go straight to the beach here in Nha Trang.   She  sulked because I said I had other things on, but tomorrow's all good.     Grrrrrrr

So....Yogi said 6am next day's fine, we agreed and guess what ,.....they didn't turn up. Grrrrrrrr
She rang and "promised" they'd be there this afternoon. 

We all know that punctuality is not entrenched in Vietnamese culture, but I find it amusing that they expect foreigners to be on time , all the time. 😜

Yogi is wondering if he should "bill" her a cancellation Fee for this mornings lesson. 😄😄

Yogi007 wrote:

That's right , if you can't beat them , join them at their game.

The advantage we have in that "game" is that most foreigners have a memory.  I'm convinced some of the local people have the memory of goldfish.    They will blatently try to cheat you , and then next day look puzzled when you walk past their business and into the door of a competitor.   

They just don't "get it".     Building rapport and repeat business for future growth is thrown away just to scam a few extra dong on a sale , only to see that person not come back and tell others about their bad experience.     It's a shame.

It's that live in the moment thing.  Only yesterday Yogi met a new lady friend and she wanted to know if I'd teach her daughter to swim.  Long distance ocean swimming is Yogi's sport so no problem....guess what ???   She said we go to beach NOW.......   

Grrrrrrrr,  she expected me to drop everything, cancel anything else I had planned that afternoon and go straight to the beach here in Nha Trang.   She  sulked because I said I had other things on, but tomorrow's all good.     Grrrrrrr

So....Yogi said 6am next day's fine, we agreed and guess what ,.....they didn't turn up. Grrrrrrrr
She rang and "promised" they'd be there this afternoon. 

We all know that punctuality is not entrenched in Vietnamese culture, but I find it amusing that they expect foreigners to be on time , all the time. 😜

Yogi is wondering if he should "bill" her a cancellation Fee for this mornings lesson. 😄😄

That's it almost Skippy.

As a single man,I'm sure you're eyes and ears are on 100%.

Did attempt business in Cho Binh Tay for bulk clothing.Found a good,friendly dealer.
1st time was a good and fair deal for both parties. A guarantee of much more business was given.
2nd time had less variety and a small price increase that was understandable,due to the new rental fees due at Bin Thay.
3rd time was just pure extortion. Triple the price,1/3 of product and much less quality.

Result. No more business.(she could have had a 2 year deal)

Anyways,Here's an observation.
Rat Panther Sloper.

The image is for entertainment and educational purposes only

Yeah,
The  sad thing is, they would have had no idea why you took your business elsewhere. Ripping people off is a sport here unfortunately.

By the way,  love the seat on that bike.    Plenty of room for the family. 😉