[dullgiulio]

Having to bribe people to avoid rules is not freedom, however you look at it.

[simonh]

I agree completely, but many over there don't have the same expectations. As a naive participant, how do you distinguish between freedom and toleration? As a practical matter large swathes of their economy are based on that implicit model. In fact selective application of the rules is one way they stack the deck against foreign competitors operating within the country.

[coldtea]

It's just not a state approved freedom automatically given to everyone, but it's a freedom nonetheless. You get to do X which elsewhere it's impossible.

[adinobro]

You often don't have to bribe people. Just talk and explain the situation.

Laws are often strict but loosely enforced unless it is a priority.