Do You Like Chinese Food?
This is the question I'm asked the most when I'm State side. It's a general assumption, made by most Americans, that Chinese food must be the same all around China because Chinese food that we eat in the States is all the same. Now, I know what you're thinking. Is Bobby really going to write on the differences regarding Chinese Food? The answer is a resounding NO! I bring up this problem because it is symptomatic of a basic misunderstanding or philosophical approach that Americans take towards China and doing business in China . For example, because China has a communist government, every Chinese person must be a diehard, trident, communist as well. This couldn't be further from the truth. If you talk to most high school or college students in their formidable years, which have only had communism pumped into their head since they were walking around with split pants [1] you would very easily come to this conclusion. However, just spend a few hours with them after they've been in the workplace for two or three years and you'll get their real prospective on communism and how much they distain its very existence. I've found this most true with taxi drivers. If you want to know what's really going on in China and particularly within a certain city, just get the scoop from the taxi drivers. It must be noted at this juncture that Chinese people will also approach you, as an American, with the same mindset. You are, as Chairman Mao often entitled us, a "western imperialist running dog" that only cares about sex, drugs, rock-n-roll and taking over the free world with imperialistic tools such as McDonalds, Starbucks, and Wal-Mart. Just like this isn't true about "all" Americans, neither are all the things you've come to think about doing business with Chinese. So, let's delve into some of these misconceptions for a fresh perspective. Because, let's face it, if you don't know how Chinese think, how can you hope to have a successful business venture with them.
[1] Chinese, for centuries, haven't allowed their children to ware diapers. Instead, they wear clothes that are split in the crouch to allow the child to squat and relieve themselves wherever they may feel the urge.
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