Here's the deal. You don't matter.

People like Chris don't perceive any consequences to befall them if they don't keep their promise. You are in no position to reward or punish them for breaking their promise, so why would they care? I bet Chris would never have treated the CEO of his company the same way, if only because the CEO has the power to make or break his career.

I feel modern societies work this way because people are feeling eternally squeezed by the rising cost of living, the escalating competitiveness for even the most basic jobs, the need to hustle hustle hustle, that they find it difficult to look out for anyone except for themselves.