I have worked almost my whole life with Burmese. They are very friendly people but tends to be less ambitious. They like to take things their own time. A man at 30s, then is considered a adult. I learned one most important thing from Burmese is, save enough then you buy. Without loans, you got no headaches however you will always miss the boat.
When handphones were first introduced in Burma, it cost USD4000/- for a sim card. Those that can hold a handphone are only the rich ones. If you need to buy a house, apartment or a car, you need to get a third party that stands between the buyer & seller to count all the money in gunny sacks. Yes, in gunny sacks containing Burmese kyats.
A Japanese couple who came to Burma to work in the 1990 who bought a old Toyota car for USD20,000 managed to sell it back for USD20,000 when they left for Japan in 2010. Is it not incredible. It only happens in Burma.
One thing I observed whenever, a whole family leaves the house, they always switch off the main breaker. I ask how about the refrigerator, why not leave it running, most reply is that the refrigerator is either empty or for storing dried foods items. They are worried of power surge that can cause damage to their electrical equipment.
Those 1990 days, official exchange rate is 1 USD = 7 kyats, in the black market is 1 USD = around 130 kyats. Today rate is 1 USD = 2600 kyats above
Also one very interesting thing I found out, most man in their longhi (or called sarong) don't wear underwear.
Burma is an amazing country, but had been screwed up by the military all these years. It requires a lady Aung San Su Kyi to finally stand up to lead them to a short live democracy.
Hope the new generation of freedom fighters can free the country from the hands of the cruel generals.