>>. Much as many will disagree, I do miss the petty corruption that used to abound back in the day.
It's an interesting point and I know exactly what you mean.
I was negotiating a contract in Brazil at one point, not huge but strategically important. As I recall it was about $20m. The Director responsible for making the purchase informed me that if I gave him a BMW then I could have the contract.
On a $20m contract I'd give a 5% discount without even pausing if it would close the deal - $1m. And all he wanted was a $100k car. Financially it's an obvious deal, but obviously not legal and probably immoral.
Even in small things; I did a very illegal U-turn on a road just outside Rio and got pulled. £3 or thereabouts in same little case that held my licence, probably sorted.
Outside the US Consulate in Sao Paulo there was always a massive queue. The US Marines guarding the consulate would take a bribe to let you queue jump.
Another time I needed a new passport for #1 child (She's Brazilian) for a sudden flight that afternoon. £10, two hours, job done.
And so many more examples where life was so much easier for the sake of a pound here or there. I'd much prefer to live in an environment without corruption. Far, far, rather.
But you'd have to be stronger than me to resist. Though I did always resist business related 'opportunities'. Business is a quite different matter. Far better to be absolutely lily-white in business.
All a bit crap if you're poor though.
|
