I was thinking the other day, how on earth can I really express the organizational differences that I am experiencing. To make this as clear as possible, it is important to understand there is one major difference with that in the West: cheap labor.
So here is this long-winded flow chart of where the differences stand. Maybe compare to what you experience in the office and see if these are really differences. Perhaps they are not the same for you:
Cheap labor = more employees --> which in turn decreases the scope of job tasks --> effects the way Chinese think on a strategic, holistic level because of doing only a set amount of taks BUT makes them a very efficient and GREAT at execution --> BUT can't get them to think on a broader level (being creative, expressing ideas, being innovative, etc)
This whole flow chart can explain most of the middle management and entry-level employees. I also found the same experience when working in groups throughout the Shanghai MBA courses. It continues to follow through with the communal vs. individualistic cultural difference. "Power in Numbers?" It is certainly obvious in my organization. It has been 4 weeks and I have already been named some sort of creative wiz?! It doesn't take much people.
Forward Thinking
I think that the multinationals coming into China are slowly changing the way of thinking to a more individualistic way, based on the employee incentive schemes - more western organizational behavior thought processes, etc. This principle combined with the newer generation of Chinese just coming into the marketplace will progress. Most of this new generation were the first to be brought up as single children and are highly competitive.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Monday, August 20, 2007
Company Basketball Tournament
The basketball tournament has begun! The one sport that everyone loves in this vertically challenged country is basketball. Basically all of the mill workers come out to throw down their best basketball moves. If they don't play then they all watch. It's a good excuse to get some sort of a break from the double shift.
So I am on a team with only one guy who speaks English. So now I really get to practic mandarin and body language at the same time. There are some taller players, but they are few and far between. I feel like I am back in junior high school playing recreation b-ball. I rate the level of play a high school level at best. I am not complaining, it really works for me. Men play like boys and funny enough the sound of long nails trying to claw at the ball is a regularity. Yep, many of the men have longer nails than I do.
The only bugbear I have is that females are not athletes in China and I fall into this category that girls can't really play sports...hmm. At least I feel this way..slowly I will prove them somewhat wrong. I mean, girls still sit side saddle on the back of motorbikes/bicycles/you name it...SO we are a long way away from tough and rough sports becoming more of a "ladies game."
So I am on a team with only one guy who speaks English. So now I really get to practic mandarin and body language at the same time. There are some taller players, but they are few and far between. I feel like I am back in junior high school playing recreation b-ball. I rate the level of play a high school level at best. I am not complaining, it really works for me. Men play like boys and funny enough the sound of long nails trying to claw at the ball is a regularity. Yep, many of the men have longer nails than I do.
The only bugbear I have is that females are not athletes in China and I fall into this category that girls can't really play sports...hmm. At least I feel this way..slowly I will prove them somewhat wrong. I mean, girls still sit side saddle on the back of motorbikes/bicycles/you name it...SO we are a long way away from tough and rough sports becoming more of a "ladies game."
Subway Etiquette
I figured it is about time to give everyone some hints on how to really get on the Shanghai subway and ride it to your next stop just like the Chinese like to do. Here are the etiquette rules:
Numero Uno:
1. Scratch the word etiquette out of anything that has to do with getting on the subway.
Prior to Train Arrival:
2. When you get to the platform, find a standing lane line sectioned off right where the doors stop
3. Place your feet face front of the standing lane lines. If there is a person already there get close enough where you can stick your tongue out and lick their earlobe. Be prepared for others to do the same.
As the train approaches:
4. Place your hand on the lower back of the person in front of you and push them slightly...they should get the hint and move up until they are almost on the tracks.
5. Gently lift your other arm and elbow, locking it in place. Braise yourself for a running marathon start with your free arm ready to flail.
When the train door opens:
6. Don't wait for anyone to get off.
7. Push the person in front of you with full body force.
8. Use the other arm to push people out of the way (HINT: If you have a bigger bootie, the basketball box out move works great too)
9. SPRINT
10. FIND A SEAT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
11. Try to do these all at the same time!
Numero Uno:
1. Scratch the word etiquette out of anything that has to do with getting on the subway.
Prior to Train Arrival:
2. When you get to the platform, find a standing lane line sectioned off right where the doors stop
3. Place your feet face front of the standing lane lines. If there is a person already there get close enough where you can stick your tongue out and lick their earlobe. Be prepared for others to do the same.
As the train approaches:
4. Place your hand on the lower back of the person in front of you and push them slightly...they should get the hint and move up until they are almost on the tracks.
5. Gently lift your other arm and elbow, locking it in place. Braise yourself for a running marathon start with your free arm ready to flail.
When the train door opens:
6. Don't wait for anyone to get off.
7. Push the person in front of you with full body force.
8. Use the other arm to push people out of the way (HINT: If you have a bigger bootie, the basketball box out move works great too)
9. SPRINT
10. FIND A SEAT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
11. Try to do these all at the same time!
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Shanghai Smells
It is now only appropriate to accompany the Shanghai sounds with the smells. I sometimes don't know which is worse. On a hot summer's day (30 degrees celcius) down a back alley, the smell is definitely worse. Downtown and developed Shanghai is pretty clean and surprisingly green. However, again..I have to revisit those lovely back streets (the old Shanghai). They are the smell culprits! I didn't lie when I said you hear bodily functions..well you might as well hold your nose in order to stop from the disasterous whiff of X, Y, and Z you are going to encounter.
On my walk to the train station every morning, I take the "smelley" shortcut. I told my roommate that is what I named the street. She fully understood and said she normally takes that road but jumps on the back of a moto-taxi to by-pass the smell. Smart girl! The "smelley" shortcut is thankfully only a 5 minute walk to the train, but I pass by about 10 hole in the wall restaurant stalls, a shack-community, and a new construction site. So when you think about it - the 3-combo deal on one small street is never going to be a pretty picture. Sometimes I wonder why people are even eating in those small shack restaurants. Even my Chinese roommate is sensible and warned me not to stop at those places. Well, granted there is a community of 1,001 shacks then they need to eat somewhere because some don't have kitchens. I even see people washing hair and brushing teeth when I walk down that street in the morning. Enough said.
On my walk to the train station every morning, I take the "smelley" shortcut. I told my roommate that is what I named the street. She fully understood and said she normally takes that road but jumps on the back of a moto-taxi to by-pass the smell. Smart girl! The "smelley" shortcut is thankfully only a 5 minute walk to the train, but I pass by about 10 hole in the wall restaurant stalls, a shack-community, and a new construction site. So when you think about it - the 3-combo deal on one small street is never going to be a pretty picture. Sometimes I wonder why people are even eating in those small shack restaurants. Even my Chinese roommate is sensible and warned me not to stop at those places. Well, granted there is a community of 1,001 shacks then they need to eat somewhere because some don't have kitchens. I even see people washing hair and brushing teeth when I walk down that street in the morning. Enough said.
Shanghai Sounds
Living in an overpopulated city you know the usual street sounds: car horns, screeching bike brakes, and loud engines can make you deaf within themselves. They actually made it illegal to beep your horn in downtown Shanghai about a month ago. Maybe it is a bit quieter, but I am not convinced.
So you have these usual sounds and they seem quite normal. But let's put additional sounds on top of that.
1. The first sound almost has a slight resemblence to an ice-cream man, but at 6am, it is no ice-cream man it is the man with the watering truck. Yup, he isn't sweeping the streets, he is watering the streets. They have to think of any way to employ people to "clean" something in this city. I actually don't think that the street can possibly get clean. Maybe the granny's that come out with their handmade brooms after the watering episode and happily clean their stake of street/sidewalk make some sort of dent?! Hmm.
2. Another sound is the constant rinking of a bicycle bell. People on bikes tugging a small cart usually ring bells to collect recyclables. Now this is entrepreneurial! Right. Thanks to the Chinese gov't. people have made a living through daily collection of recyclables..hop on your bike and ring your bell! You can get in on the recycling frenzy and continue to keep fit.
3. Bodily function sounds. Yes, everything happens on the city street. If it doesn't come out of the mouth, it comes out the other end in broad daylight. Normally this is the difference between old and new Shanghai. After walking on a bustling modern city street you might just turn the corner of a small shack community where only public toilets exist (more or less in the street). Where there is a construction site as well, the workers live at the site in make shift housing and also use the land around them to "feel at home." So, the sounds that come out of the mouth doesn't really constitute a normal spitting sound. No. This sound resembles the type of "hock a loogee" spit. The sound comes all the way from your guy and literally these people are removing something from deep down there to bring it to the surface. This even happens in the office (thankfully not as frequent).
Needless to say my iPod has become my best friend while walking on the city streets and the volume keeps getting louder and louder!
So you have these usual sounds and they seem quite normal. But let's put additional sounds on top of that.
1. The first sound almost has a slight resemblence to an ice-cream man, but at 6am, it is no ice-cream man it is the man with the watering truck. Yup, he isn't sweeping the streets, he is watering the streets. They have to think of any way to employ people to "clean" something in this city. I actually don't think that the street can possibly get clean. Maybe the granny's that come out with their handmade brooms after the watering episode and happily clean their stake of street/sidewalk make some sort of dent?! Hmm.
2. Another sound is the constant rinking of a bicycle bell. People on bikes tugging a small cart usually ring bells to collect recyclables. Now this is entrepreneurial! Right. Thanks to the Chinese gov't. people have made a living through daily collection of recyclables..hop on your bike and ring your bell! You can get in on the recycling frenzy and continue to keep fit.
3. Bodily function sounds. Yes, everything happens on the city street. If it doesn't come out of the mouth, it comes out the other end in broad daylight. Normally this is the difference between old and new Shanghai. After walking on a bustling modern city street you might just turn the corner of a small shack community where only public toilets exist (more or less in the street). Where there is a construction site as well, the workers live at the site in make shift housing and also use the land around them to "feel at home." So, the sounds that come out of the mouth doesn't really constitute a normal spitting sound. No. This sound resembles the type of "hock a loogee" spit. The sound comes all the way from your guy and literally these people are removing something from deep down there to bring it to the surface. This even happens in the office (thankfully not as frequent).
Needless to say my iPod has become my best friend while walking on the city streets and the volume keeps getting louder and louder!
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Added to the Funny Name List
HUNK! Yes..not kidding. I met Hunk today. Another gentle Chinese man in my company. I can't really say if I rate him a hunk or not. I guess he thinks so!
Salty Ice Pops and Jamaican Weddings
It was one thrilling day! So why the strange title..just wait.
I found out that you can get salty lemon ice pops in China. Not the best taste but ok it does serve a purpose for trying to lower body temperature in the Chinese heat. I think it might suit the Scandinavians quite well. Since they like salted licorice for dessert than this might be a good treat. I think it might be my first and last time trying that one.
Now the whole Jamaican wedding thing is pretty hilarious. On Wednesday's I teach an advanced English training class with my fellow Jamaican colleague. He asked the students to put together a presentation on something about Jamaica. Somehow..there was one odd student that introduced the country quite well and then brought up the real topic he was to speak about: Jamaican Weddings. He pointed out how Chinese and Jamaican weddings are similiar?! Well they are according to him and the Jamaican guy who was invited to a co-workers wedding about 2 weeks into working with the company. The best part about the whole presentation were the cute graphic images he put in. It was a nice Chinese touch! Oh the joys of teaching English with a Jamaican.
I found out that you can get salty lemon ice pops in China. Not the best taste but ok it does serve a purpose for trying to lower body temperature in the Chinese heat. I think it might suit the Scandinavians quite well. Since they like salted licorice for dessert than this might be a good treat. I think it might be my first and last time trying that one.
Now the whole Jamaican wedding thing is pretty hilarious. On Wednesday's I teach an advanced English training class with my fellow Jamaican colleague. He asked the students to put together a presentation on something about Jamaica. Somehow..there was one odd student that introduced the country quite well and then brought up the real topic he was to speak about: Jamaican Weddings. He pointed out how Chinese and Jamaican weddings are similiar?! Well they are according to him and the Jamaican guy who was invited to a co-workers wedding about 2 weeks into working with the company. The best part about the whole presentation were the cute graphic images he put in. It was a nice Chinese touch! Oh the joys of teaching English with a Jamaican.
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