Which do you prefer?

That's how it started. The loan officer and I were waiting for the ferry to return to Phnom Penh.

Cambodia or USA? In regards to WHAT, I thought. They're really so different it's hard to compare, is what I said aloud. But Paeng's a nice guy and he was asking in all innocence. Well, I began... It's nice that Cambodian families are so close. You really take care of one another. In America, many families aren't so close. In fact, some families HATE each other and don't even talk! I continued with my next point - In America, one thing that's good is that almost everyone has access to free education until the end of secondary school. (In Cambodia, many people only have a 6th grade education and teachers are so poorly paid, $40-60/month, that they make students pay an extra fee per lesson as necessary compensation). After that, if you're clever you can probably get an o.k. job. (In Cambodia, many don't have access to education because of the expense and are destined just to get by the rest of their lives. I know, not as simple as that, but with the language barrier I need to make my points simply)


Another thing, Khmers smile ALOT! (And seem much more in touch with childish youthfulness than many other cultures we've explored) Americans, on the other hand, are much more serious and focused on their work. And many people don't seem happy. Maybe it's because you have a more relaxed pace of life. I like that. As far as government goes, both countries are corrupt. Ours is just better at hiding it, but neither try to help the middle class or poor. The people that benefit are those in the government, military, and their friends. That was as far as I got before our ferry arrived.


Whenever we've been approached by someone here in Asia who speaks passable English, they invariably want to know what life is like in America. Some seem to think it must be AMAZING - Just like in the movies! Others are more practical, but they KNOW we have it good. Case in point that we have the opportunity to TRAVEL. Most people here, even in the middle class, will be lucky if they EVER get outside their own country. For us, it's a matter of choice. And when you boil it all down, maybe that's my biggest preference about the U.S. - That we actually DO have freedom of choice.