People and Cultures - China

In the training program in Shanghai, there was a session where we were discussing people and cultures.

Each of us were sharing something unique about their country or something which they are proud of, about their country.

As each of us were sharing our proud (Aaha!!) moments, a participant from China said “We are proud that people from China do not take tips (in hotels, taxis, etc.). That was shocking to me…we “hear” so much about corruption in many countries including China. How is this possible?

Back in the hotel room, I started to reflect back on my few days in Shanghai and…!

Not once had the Bell boys asked or had a “Given me a tip, PLEASE” look on their face. Similarly the taxis gave exact change back, no cribbing if we asked them to take some place – always the meter!

Another time, I had a problem with the toilet flush – somebody attends to it and then he is almost running away once the job is done. I ask him to wait to be sure it is properly fixed. Once I confirm, he is literally out of the door. I thought it was the language the reason (most people don’t speak English Yet).

But after hearing the “Tips” story, I was able to understand why the toilet mechanic left the room so fast.

Another side of the Chinese culture that i was not aware and felt great to hear n Share.
Ok, back to corruption - there is a bigger story about this in China; maybe will share it in some other blog, some other day!

More stories!!!

One story from India (not shared in that forum) was on the Sardarji’ s in India. There are other jokes as well – Mallu jokes, Lalu jokes, etc. – but the most popular ones are the Sardarji jokes :)

Khushwant Singh the noted literary giant shared on why the Sardars are so very popular - they are able to joke about themselves and take it in the right spirit when others joke about them.
here it goes - you might have heard this story before

"During his last vacation, his few friends came to Delhi. They rented a taxi for local sight-seeing. The driver was an old Sardar and boys being boys, these pals began cracking Sardarji jokes, just to tease the old man. But to their surprise, the fellow remained unperturbed.

At the end of the sight-seeing, they paid the cab hire-charges. The Sardar returned the change, but he gave each one of them one rupee extra and said,

''Son, since morning you have been telling Sardarji jokes. I listened to them all and let me tell you, some of them were in bad taste. Still, I don't mind coz I know that you are young blood and are yet to see the world. But I have one request. I am giving you one rupee each. Give it to the first Sardar beggar that you come across in this or any other city.''

My friend continued, "That one rupee coin is still with me. I couldn't find a single Sardar begging anywhere."

Sikhs are one of the hardest working, prosperous and diversified communities in the world.
Something we as Indians can definitely feel proud off!!

Moving on.. (Just for laughs!!)

I heard of how hard negotiators some people are! Japanese, Germans…..on a relative scale, Chinese people / Indians would be far below.

There is one interesting place however in Shanghai – Called AP plaza or more popularly the “Fake market”.
You need to bargain - You Really NEED TO BARGAIN!!

For e.g. I bought Rolex watches here for "**"- guess what !!

The price started off around 500 Yuan and then - bulk purchase (9 watches), hard bargaining, we successfully bargained it for 110 Yuan (about Rs.900)

Rolex watches for Rs 900;hmm!
I used to wear this and proudly announce as “Original fake Rolex watches” – You can never find it out that it is not original, unless someone told you!

In this shopping plaza, you get so many things – clothes, bags, watches, iPhones, latest DVD’s, DS games!!! But you NEED to bargain.

The storekeepers know that you will bargain, so they quote a higher price. The potential buyers know that these are to be bargained, so they bargain.. So it is a vicious circle…

Some tricks to bargain included, walking away from the shop as if you are not interested (after bargaining for 5 minutes), going to buy at 7.45 pm  (closing time), recalling that you bought from him earlier (genuinely or just like that!!)

Listen to this experience from Russell Peters - on why Chinese and Indians can’t do business together
I have watched this video so many times and each time I have fallen down laughing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2W8aGgmn1A&feature=fvwrel  –Cool, longer version!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsd0ZJOrIZQ  – Shorter version – Good!

Cheers and have a great day ahead :)