Culture Shock

We've been told about culture shock and I guess it's always expected. But am struggling with a few things that are just this place and a few things that I guess could happen anywhere but seem magnified because you have a smaller group of people to care about and be with.
Will start with the things that are about this place - as previously mentioned need a new tyre. It has taken me three nights and loads of haggling by my dealer and his driver (with me standing useless in the background) to get me two decent quality new ones that can go on my car. Yes two coz can't get exactly the same and need to be even. So after weeding out the liars and dodgy suppliers, I have paid someone to do it tonight. Getting a receipt was hard but got it in the end - was so reluctant to hand over the cash until the job was done to my satisfaction but just not how it works here. Also what time should I drop the car off? Hmmm maybe 4.30, maybe 5, maybe 6, would I consider 7pm? Heck no! Don't want to be in that part of town at that time of the night. So will go (not on my own) at 4.30 and attempt to lay down the law. Wish me luck!
Another culture shock issue is the laid back attitude - it'll happen. All year we've been worried about curriculum coverage and teachers having enough time with students and getting stuff done - it'll happen...yeah right! Now our poor teachers may be working Fridays and Saturdays with students to make sure they're ready for exams in 3 weeks! Just wouldn't happen at home.
Not so much about culture is the realisation how much I depend on the other ex pats around me for normality and how "right" I think I am! The "rules" about interactions and appropriateness seem to have gone out the window - is that coz we're a small group and rely on each other? Or have people always been like this and I've never noticed? For example if you ask for someone's advice, don't so blatantly go against it the following week and if you know someone's busy with something, don't try and tempt them to your 'better' offer - I used to believe this and thought more people did. However the cutting in thing is very common here and bound to be absorbed, and the advice thing - well I am young and guess relatively inexperienced compared to people here so should just go with the flow and enjoy my learning curve.
Not whinging - just reflecting - hopefully it's all part of making me a better person while on my journey. :0)