Interesting to read some of these. My question for you is, how do you suggest a person approaches gambling when it is culturally frowned upon and also not legal in their country. Should they just do it in silence?
Generally speaking I wouldn't care about what other people expect from you. This is your life, so you should do with it whatever you like - it can be over any day. Don't please expectations of others, because you have to live this life, not the others. Now this is often not as easy as it sounds. I am living in a country, where culture (which often stems from religious stuff) isn't really an issue. So I have never experienced rejection for cultural reasons and can't really judge what it means, how it feels and what are the consequences of being a sinner
With gambling not being legal, this is another issue. You would have to weigh, what there is to gain and what there is to lose/risk. Nowadays you can find workarounds for a lot of legal domestic issues, when it comes to gambling. So, if there is not much punishment, if/when they catch you, why not give it a try, if you would like to do that and earn some money from it. Gambling is officially forbidden in China as well (or controlled by CPC), but my chinese friend is still doing his betting more or less freely. There is always a way, if you are really dedicated.
How do you explain to people what you do? Knowing it can get you or even your family in trouble.
Me and my family fortunately won't get into (legal) trouble for what I am doing. Betting is considered a game of luck in Germany and thus is no taxable income - looks like I have a lot of luck with my bets
Betting is not legal nor illegal here, it's still a grey area. I spoke about the other question here:It took a long time until I told my parents what exactly I am doing and that I wanted to do this longterm as a profession. You know parents are parents and they always want the best for their kids. This is my life and I am not trying to please people and fit into their schemes. I have to live this life and I have the right to shape it like I want and the way I think it is a good/fun life.
They were ok with it, since they saw it made me happy and that I could live from it. They always trusted me a lot, but deep inside I know, that they would have been happier seeing me working in some more fancy job, like in a bank for example. Parents always like to brag a bit with their offspring, but if your son is gambling for a living, this is a bit hard to do. Most people dont understand what this is all about, dont know that such jobs exist and in the end are not interested anyway.
From my friends I had at least no negative reactions. Most were like, yeah, just do what youre doing. But my closer friends always found it pretty cool and showed interest, being curious, asking questions and also wanted to give me money to bet with it for them and make them some money too. But I never took money from anyone. Putting your own money at stake is already enough pressure, so no need to put other peoples money at risk too.
Being asked what I am working, I either tell right away what I am doing or just say I am a freelancer. It depends a bit on who is in front of me. I was more cautious in the past with telling what I really do, but these days I dont care that much no more.
Especially the older generation isnt aware that there is lots of possibilities to work online/from home today. The internet opened up a lot of online jobs and this is a completely secret and mysterious world for older people. So with older people I tend to tell something they understand better just to not being forced to explain it all to them.
They were ok with it, since they saw it made me happy and that I could live from it. They always trusted me a lot, but deep inside I know, that they would have been happier seeing me working in some more fancy job, like in a bank for example. Parents always like to brag a bit with their offspring, but if your son is gambling for a living, this is a bit hard to do. Most people dont understand what this is all about, dont know that such jobs exist and in the end are not interested anyway.
From my friends I had at least no negative reactions. Most were like, yeah, just do what youre doing. But my closer friends always found it pretty cool and showed interest, being curious, asking questions and also wanted to give me money to bet with it for them and make them some money too. But I never took money from anyone. Putting your own money at stake is already enough pressure, so no need to put other peoples money at risk too.
Being asked what I am working, I either tell right away what I am doing or just say I am a freelancer. It depends a bit on who is in front of me. I was more cautious in the past with telling what I really do, but these days I dont care that much no more.
Especially the older generation isnt aware that there is lots of possibilities to work online/from home today. The internet opened up a lot of online jobs and this is a completely secret and mysterious world for older people. So with older people I tend to tell something they understand better just to not being forced to explain it all to them.