Good story, giving me a lot to think about.
And you're right, we are usually caught up in our own (little) problems, and don't see how others are.
I do not completely agree with your sentiment though, also here in the "rich worlds" there are plenty of people that have virtually nothing. People depending on hand-outs of others or maybe a governmen.
People that may have worked hard all their lives but now find themselves in a situation where all they can fall back on is themselves.
The rich countries may have gotten wealthier, but also a lot more egocentrical. If you don't fit in, you're cast away like you're nothing.
;-)
Point taken. I agree, people are depending on hand-outs from the government. Believe me, I've also met people who are traveling using these'hand-outs'... in order to have that privilege to travel.
The attitude of people have changed or not, I guess the way we behave towards others is the result of the environment that shaped the way we think and act.