iam0234 said:
Right on, Leery. I almost wanted to make this point except couldn’t find the right words for it. I would only speculate that Sweet Guy is a Taiwanese, nonetheless a Chinese by descendent, who has never set foot on Mainland China leave alone Shanghai.
Nope, I have no sentiment to Formosa and Taiwan is no better than China when it comes to politics, diplomacy and military. The only exception is Taiwan is far richer than the mainland.
You have grievances and beefs to the Taiwanese? Do you think all "average" Taiwanese are "green" in heart?
And Yes I have set foot on mainland China several times in cities such as Beijing, Nanjing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Chengdu, Shenzhen and Guangzhou. Once thought to travel either the Yunnan province or Urumqi in Xinjiang but don't have time to spare, plus there are more interesting place here to visit in North America!
Sweet Guy’s view of China is not uncommon in the western world, but as you so rightly pointed out – “outdated, misquoted and outright delusional�. In fact, I was of a similar mindset a few years ago when my company was invited to do business with China. My would-be partner at the time simply said: “take a visit, see it for yourself�. I’m glad I did. Yes, a lot of the unpleasant stories we’ve read were (and to some extent still is) true.
Unlike Leery, at least my claims are valid.
But as long as one respects the local legislations and keeps mute on political issues, I find the environment quite accommodating and business-like. I guess my experience has been commonly shared as most major western corporations now have offices in China.
As long as you can identify who are "the power brokers" and pay the "dues" such as Rolex watches, Dupont cigarette lighters, Marbaro or what not, everything will be just fine. This is a known secret of guang shi (relationship/connection) and the big corporations know to play the game well.
And before you flame me, it doesn't matter such dues are in the forms of lavish meals on Shark Fins, birds nests, sea cucumbers, Abalone or what not and some kind exchange favours instead of "tangible stuffs" such as gold coins, jade, HKD, USD, Rolex watches, all kinds of "luxury stuffs" to the officials as they are easily tracible after checking their monthly salaries.
I had many friends and colleagues who were offered posts in China and came to me for advice (I’m a Chinese). My advice has always been: go for a year or two; see for yourself. If you don’t like it, come back. You know what, most (particularly the younger and unattached) end up loving it. A few, in fact, left the company for greener pastures when asked to come back.
This is similar to the westerners, mostly the oil engineers and executives who love to stay in Saudi Arabia and they say they love the place for similar reasons....until they suddenly realize how things can turn very nasty 180 degrees.
It's good for them if they like the place. There's nothing wrong to go natives but be careful what decision you make.
Coming back to hobbying in Shanghai, there is no shortage of bars and clubs for foreigners where one can find gems. As long as one stays in a foreign-managed hotel the chance of getting busted is slim to none.
It's definitely
NOT looking good to the world when the westerners (ex-Japanese or Asians) got busted when they sample the Chinese beauties and it's definitely hurt the business.
And I don't see any reason or hint the PSB are going to strike hard on the white dudes anytime soon.
Plus, the SPs and Mamasan are extremely eager to get more white "Johnsons" cause they can charge higher premium but still "dirt cheap" for the white dudes
.
This said, however, don’t get overly adventurous by going to the joints for locals. Stay with the bigger nightclubs – they may cost more but the extra money (still cheap by NA standard) is worth it.
The joints for locals and street hookers are either gang controlled or set up for extortions and mugging.
You get better treatment and attention from the ladies, civilians and the pros when you say you are working for the multinationals and you are foriegn expatriates at those "high end" clubs.
You may feel you have "higher class" than the Chinese who never fly abroad to North America or Europe before but such "smug" attitudes are "depreciating" fast now that more and more Chinese travel more to other places over the world.
BTW, I don't see any point to bicker on the issue. China is nowadays the vogue of the year or something and this translate into the interests on the Chinese chicks.
After these replies, lets just move on our lives.