Good post bro.
It is that type of mentality that I see a lot in my country too. The so called "poor" mentality. They work really, really hard, their paycheck is relatively low and yet they spend it all on booze and cigarettes.
I don't understand it either, but hey, who am I to judge?
RE: 12 hours in train - 1 weird comparison and yet another reason why I HATE alcohol