Dear You,
You need to avoid getting into arguments with others. Not everyone has to agree with you. And, not everyone will agree with you no matter what logical reasoning you use. But, what if those others believe in a philosophy that influences the amount of services you will receive including things like Voc Rehab because they want to cut taxes, believe in personal responsibility and pulling by your bootstraps (whole point of this saying was to show it couldn't be done)? Well, all you can do is vote for the people who have your best interests at heart?
And, you have a job in China now. Don't worry about trying to fight these guys including those who believe in the same philosophy on WP. You will never change them in a million years no matter what logic you use. Instead, find ways to circumvent the system in place and if anyone is willing to help you do this then let them help you. Truth is, the system you were living in happens to be f****d and not in a good way. Contrary to what certain people think out there it was not your fault that you were not in the labor force for 10 years of your life. It was the fault of a system that your parents, educators and other adults never really explained to you that well. All they told you was to be yourself, be positive, and all kinds of other nonsense. The truth of the matter is that the system demands that you conform to a set of social and professional standards. And, contrary to what you've been told if you truthfully wish to succeed in this system you will have to fake your way somewhat.
I know this seems deceptive to you. I know you've been told that honesty is the best policy and I know others will tell you and employers will tell this as well. But what you don't understand is that honesty is multi-layered. Sometimes you have to exaggerate a bit. Sometimes you will have to pretend to be happy doing the job whether you really are or not. Again, I know this is deceptive to you but most people don't think like you. Your natural way of thinking is a binary, black and white based type of thinking. Most don't think this way. They think in a shades of grey type of way where there are multiple truths and these truths are multi-layered. Read about different kinds of truths. And, society does accept certain types of deceptions and lies. Know these exceptions! Understand them! Again, if you want to be a functioning member of society you will have to do some of these white lies.
Same with be yourself. This phrase is extremely vague anyway. My advice, if being yourself would cause you problems then again don't be yourself. Accept that the self is multi-layered. You will have to choose a self that fits the situation. I know. It's confusing, right? It seems like it has all sorts of double and triple standards, right? But, most people don't think in the binary way as you do. Most think with shades of grey with layers upon layers. Don't think of life as an on/off switch but a volume control that is a sliding scale. Differing situations call for a certain amount of conformity. When you're at work, the conformity level is turned up high. Again, all of the be yourselfers, keep it realers never really explain this that well but I'm explaining it to you so you don't keep making an ass out of yourself.
Good Luck in China! I believe in you.
Me