The reason I am posting this question because I have experiences of training and studying abroad many times. Once I was on a plane backing to Laos by Lao airline from Bankok to Vietiene. There were some Lao officiales, quite high ranked officials. They might come from different countries but they met by coincidence on the same plane. First they were greeting, asking name and the reason they went abroad. The answers were training, attending condernce. Then the next question, you can imagine what question will be, is "How much money do you get from the training, attending conference? (personal question). In my point of view this is very rude to ask such a personal question to a person that we have just met. Moreover, as the high ranked officials, it is better to ask about the contents of training and attending conference. How useful the training and attending conference are to our respected country.
In addition, to our people who knows us, they may be friends, colleagues... When we go back to Laos, they ask semilar questons "How much money can you save"? but not "How is your study? or how is your health?". This seems to be natural of Lao people, I think. Then next question comes "Oh Vigo or Tiger?", "Land and a new house lae nor". I think some of us also experience this kind of quesitions.
Then I have question "What do you think about this kind of nature of Lao people?" and Do you think it is rude to ask someone by those questions? If so, "How can we change the attitudes of Lao people towards asking these questions?"
I am waiting all of you to share and to get your point of views.
I personally think that it is not rude at all to ask these questions, but sometimes it is not appropriate. However, since it is a pure natural character of Lao people who live from hands to mouth, and who is very eager to know how's life is all about abroad, they pond to think that living or attending a conference or studying abroad, can save a lot of money ! (though they have never been to abroad before). They may also don't know that the living condition in abroad is very expensive compare to Laos. Since it is their concerns and willings to know about the other, it is acceptable in Lao society. The person who were asked these questions can have a direct answer or indirect answers for them. For example indirect answers, you may no need to tell the exact amount of money you get, instead you can tell them how expensive the life is here.
That clearly show the mindset of the people. So one shall chose to ignore, whether like it or not, ignorance is a bless. What one could do is to contribute back to the society, build them and shape the upcoming wave as to educate them and make the new generation to become more learned and more educated. These kind of attitude that you have met will not prevail.
P.S. "Greed and wrong attiude shall be eleminated with the consent of the person. Sincerety and positive thinking is the only answers to all the questions"
"Create and stir other people to create." - Robert Frost
. Since it is their concerns and willings to know about the other, it is acceptable in Lao society. The person who were asked these questions can have a direct answer or indirect answers for them. For example indirect answers, you may no need to tell the exact amount of money you get, instead you can tell them how expensive the life is here.