What normally comes to our minds when we talk about corruption are civil or public servants. In other words, we don't usually think of people of the lower echelon of the society as corrupt.
But just engage the services of any artisan such as a carpenter, plumber or an electrician or even a car mechanic and you'll realize how wrong you are. Everybody seems to be looking out for a chance to gyp you.
I asked a plumber to give me an estimate of the materials to be bought for a certain project. He gave me a figure which I doubted. I thought it was because he assumed I was going to give him the money to make the purchases. So, I asked him to take me to where we could buy the items. When we went to the shop and I saw how they welcomed him, my heart sank. I knew instinctively I was going to be taken for a ride and there was nothing I could do about it. And come to think of it, that's exactly what happened...or what I suspect happened.
When the total cost of the items was given to me, it came higher than the estimate he had earlier given me. I asked why and he said he had added more items to the list. So I let that one ride. I excused myself and went to the next shop to buy something else. When I went back, I saw my plumber stuffing some money into his trousers' back pocket. He didn't see me, as he'd turned his back to the door. When he turned and saw me and realized that I had seen him, both he and the shop owner looked as guilty as hell. Keeping my face completely expressionless, I pretended I didn't understand what happened.
Now, I'm not saying he actually connived with the shop owner to inflate the prices and get a cut, but it certainly looked that way. And I'm willing to bet my February pension that's exactly what did happen. And make no mistake about that.
Countless times, I've also caught electricians, mechanics, carpenters, etc cheat in this fashion.
So, I ask again, are we inherently dishonest?