I think its partly a european thing, seriously. This random woman one time told me that in the not too distant past, like my parents / grandparents time, the example you gave like about stealing from the elderly woman was true. This was how my parents raised me too, to not be "stupid". But really, its stupid to do something wrong just because someone else tells you to. I like to think of it as - like if the guy at mcdonalds gives me too much change, im giving it back - i dont want to go to hell for ten cents. If im going to hell, i want it to be for something i'll really remember!! It makes it easier to say no. Dont be someone else's fool.