I have many Burmese friends, and stayed there a number of times. Note how I call it Burma, not Myanmar, which was the name chosen for it by the Junta. The Junta were also responsible for moving the capital from Yangon (the natural and historical capital) to Naypyidaw (back of beyond boondocks). They did this on the advice of a fortune teller. When I was there one of the daughters of a local general was being married. She was famous for liking diamonds, the local supply of which ran out as a result of people trying to curry favor with her father. Burma was a name chosen by the British, but from my experience the Burmese feel more (or at least as much) ownership of that word as Myanmar.
Now the power brokers in Burma are the Chinese. There has always been a strong connection between Burma and China, and when Burma opened up, they jumped right in. In many ways they were better prepared than the westerners. Most of them already spoke Burmese, and were far better acquainted with their history. However, the locals are no fans... a popular complaint is that fill the roads with their huge cars yet live in gated compounds and general flaunt it.
One you get to know them, the people are warm and open, but also (if I may generalize) just a bit crazy. In the community I moved in, I would say about five percent were substance abusers, and at least as many had spent some time in state prison. But given the opportunity, I would return in a heart beat.
Now the power brokers in Burma are the Chinese. There has always been a strong connection between Burma and China, and when Burma opened up, they jumped right in. In many ways they were better prepared than the westerners. Most of them already spoke Burmese, and were far better acquainted with their history. However, the locals are no fans... a popular complaint is that fill the roads with their huge cars yet live in gated compounds and general flaunt it.
One you get to know them, the people are warm and open, but also (if I may generalize) just a bit crazy. In the community I moved in, I would say about five percent were substance abusers, and at least as many had spent some time in state prison. But given the opportunity, I would return in a heart beat.