What I think.
One word: self-respect.
PRC still have some self-respect, and culturally, there still have pride in themselves.
Indians lack this and they are able to scoop really low to get what they want, I have seen Indian beggars who totally give up their own dignity and self respect to survive.
It is in the way the kids are brought up, their ways of thinking (It is OK to do this because I am rich) and a lot of misplaced pride in men.
My take is similar to yours but with a slight difference:
Most ah tiong parents see their kids as a reflection on themselves. So when their kids misbehave, they will rein them in most of the time, because they feel ashamed that the kids are behaving badly.
Most ah neh parents see themselves as a reflection on their kids. So when their kids misbehave in a public place like a restaurant or a country club, they will let them be, with the absurd reasoning that since they are paying for their meals or paid for their club subscription, their kids can do whatever they want. Same "logic' for their behaviour on airplanes, public transport, condo swimming pools, playgrounds, etc.
However, if let's say they went to the Istana with their kids, they will try to control them, because they consider themselves "lower class" in this environment.
That's why I now realise that the idea of getting FTs to have dinner with the MIWs will never work.
It needs to be the MIWs and their family members having a homestay in the FT's house, where he regards himself as king.
