I agree. And yet there's a big difference if your BATNA in case company no work is a mostly smooth transition into a high paying career, or life on the streets

I agree. And yet there's a big difference if your BATNA in case company no work is a mostly smooth transition into a high paying career, or life on the streets followed by a walmart greeter job, maybe. Until I came to the US I never even realized how much you really get from even a moderately privileged upbringing. It's crazy. Simple things like the difference between working summer jobs in high school or being sent to education camps and such. Or getting your own car at <driving age> vs. borrowing your mum's. Or the ability to go to college that isn't close enough to hometown so you can stay living with your parents because it's cheaper. Or the difference in perspective between The Boss being someone you aspire to become, or someone you hate and despise because they make your life miserable. The cultural differences are the hardest to overcome. (I also am a white male)