It’s hard to get a grasp of a culture in a single entry, 30-day visa period. Especially in a country that is as large as Laos, which has multiple sub-cultures and differing ethnicities. Getting a good idea of the place you are visiting is tough.
I think one of my first experiences with Laotian people gave me a great incite into the culture. While crossing the road by motorcycle, a Laotian driver and I nearly collided. The almost-wreck was my fault, and culminated with an NBA-style flop on the other biker’s part, used to swindle some money from me. I checked out his “injuries,” as well as his bike, and while he was trying to say I owed him money, a group of Laotians at a bike repair shop laughed raucously. Laotian people always laugh raucously.
