I'm never sure if people are just venting or asking for an
explanation. Since this is a simpler topic, here is your
answer Catknight.
Looking at it from a group dynamic point of view. Humans have a
basic response as a gregarious communal group. In times of good,
you'd share and the sharing of food etc created bonds. This would
be reflected in expressions of goodwill, kind looks, friendly hugs,
good wishes etc. So the behavior extends from a previous act of
goodwill.
In the modern society it has become etiquette to express
goodwill etc without the initial act that created a bond. It's kind
of a shortcut, as a kind of promise that there will be an act of
goodwill after a time. We are kinder to people who express those
expressions of goodwill even though most times it is baseless as it
did not follow from an act of goodwill. Because of our human nature
we still "recognize" the debt.
We now come to the point where someone will express goodwill
then ask you for an act of goodwill. Human nature persuades
us to give them it. This is purely a social trait but some
people abuse this human trait in business. They behave nicely
towards you and that predisposes you to give them advantages that
are to your own disadvantage. This has become the common business
practise and the person who gives out an act of goodwill based on
expressions of goodwill is considered a fool.
Business people understand this.
You may be upset that someone talks to you nicely and flatters
you then after you've given them an advantage, they don't return
the "favor". You actually have been fooled by their expressions of
goodwill to perform an act of goodwill. As you see, business and
social niceties don't mix.
The Chinese admire the Hong Kongers as they see this as a
"technique" for doing business. The Singaporeans are offended
because they see this as an abuse of their good nature.
In reality, we just have to learn business and social etiquette
are not the same. And we have to understand how they are different.
And we have to recognize when it is used to our own disadvantage if
we want to become better adapted to this world where money means so
much.
Will we lose our humanity in becoming better businessmen? Most
likely. The Jews have a belief that it is okay to do "business"
with non-Jews but remember to treat other Jews as you would
"family" and that allowed them to become great businessmen without
losing their humanity. But outside their own religion they garnered
the reputation of being cold blooded businessmen. This likely
predisposed others non "family" not to come to their defence when
they were persecuted.
I'm not saying this as an excuse, I'm not passing a moral
judegement, it's simply what I observe and I hope that by sharing
this, I share with you my understanding of how this works.