Chinese Food For Thought

In the past few chapters we have seen Lily and occasionally Chen disregard England's rules and regulations such as licenses, paying taxes and census. Do their irresponsible feelings of non commitment to these economic and social responsibilities stem from them feeling like "the other" and therefore have no self imposed duty to participate. Or are these actions derived from the fact that  they truly do not understand these systems. When Lily proposes her plan to cheat on taxes, is this because she does not understand what the taxes truly do, or does she plan on cheating, not because she doesn't understand, but rather that she doesn't feel as if she belongs and therefore has no need to pay the fines that accompany that. Furthermore, does their refusal to fairly participate in taxes and driving regulations separate them farther than if they abided by British laws. We often find the Chen's living in their own personal bubble and are viewed from outsiders with many stereotypes. Are some of these assumptions self imposed by the Chens while they pretend to not speak English to the census director, plan on cheating their taxes and drive recklessly on the roads while being unlicensed.

~Sahale