THE SHOES REALLY DO MATTER

One of my first mentors in business as well as life, and a man I greatly admired, taught me early on that you can usually judge the character of a person by the condition of the shoes she or he wears.  Reflecting back on my own successes and failures, and the shoes that were a part of each, that advice has proved right more than wrong and I still find it useful and practical advice, even today.  

 Welcome to my mildly irreverent views on business, travel, living and working in Asia and life in general. And remember, don't show up for life in the wrong pair of shoes!    


 (Photo above- Beijing shoe store window display 2006   See, even in China they get it!)

21 September 2007

Barbarians at the Gate-Tips for traveling in China



With the Olympics just around the corner and the fall travel season in full swing, many travelers are adding China to their list of places to go, and for good reason. China is a fascinating and marvelous place to visit and is filled with not only breathtaking natural beauty and ancient charm but also some pretty amazing “first world” attractions like the futuristic landscape of Shanghai. Having been fortunate to have lived, worked and traveled throughout China for almost a decade I think I gained a bit of savvy on the ends and outs of travel from a westerner’s perspective as well as that of the Chinese. To anyone planning a journey to the middle kingdom, and I strongly encourage you to go if you have any doubts, here are some practical suggestions that will not only make your journey more enjoyable, but also might make it easier on your hosts.

First and foremost, make sure you bring your patience and a good sense of humor. Shouting and rudeness, while it might work in New York, has little place in China, and generally will only result in further delays or unhappiness.

From the moment you land at the airport until you board your return flight, you will feel you are constantly jostling for space. Queues are meant to be broken and it is every man to himself, particularly if you are unfortunate to be caught hailing a taxi in the rain. Look around you and you will quickly realize that this constant shoving and pushing applies equally to all. The Chinese have a long history of struggle.

If you will be traveling around by air, bring several good books. The abysmally poor on-time departure rate of most US air carriers is a goal worth chasing yet in China. Travel by train is far more efficient but is not recommended for those who exhibit any tendencies toward claustrophobia or are uncomfortable in crowded areas.

There are NO “no smoking” areas, so get over it quickly. If you are seriously affected by cigarette smoke, then maybe any trip to China should be reconsidered. There are more than 600 million smokers who firmly believe it is their inalienable right to light up at will. Change takes time, even generations, to happen.

Do not arbitrarily assume everyone can speak English. With the rapid expansion of tourism and a limited supply of qualified staff, even a 5 star hotel’s service may not be up to your expectations. While English language skills are expanding in leaps and bounds in most major cities, it is still a foreign language. If you are not with a guide or cannot speak Chinese make sure you have a good phrasebook in hand. Better still; make a few friends to help you in your journeys.

Take time to learn a few simple phrases and greetings. As complicated as Chinese language is, the simple greeting of Ni Hao (knee how) will bring warm smiles from your hosts, and whether you get the pronunciation right or not is less important than your effort.

Yes, taxi drivers will cheat you constantly. But is this really that much different than anywhere else? Again, many short journeys that turned long could have been avoided with a note from your hotel concierge, as the taxi driver who really understands English is as rare as the mythical unicorn, and those that do, cavit emptor.

Do not constantly compare the service you receive in China to your country in a negative way. Of course China has made huge strides in development, but it has been less than 10 years since the private sector really got involved in hospitality and retail, sectors previously completely controlled by the state. Can you imagine if the Department of Motor Vehicles was running Nordstrom’s?

As others have suggested, always carry adequate sanitary supplies. Toilet tissue is a rather recent amenity outside of the hotel, and even if you are lucky enough to find it you well never find it in enough quantity or quality to suit most western tastes. It is also commonly pilfered even if it was there to begin with.

Do NOT feed the beggars! As pitiful and grotesque as some may appear, more of this than you realize is self-inflicted to tug at your heartstrings. Those poor little children chasing after you are likely indentured and will see little, if nothing of your cash. Think Oliver Twist. Your constant source of income makes it even harder to police this unsavory crew.

By all means, eat the local cuisine. Sure the Pizza at California Kitchen is as tasty as it is back home, but the garlic crusted pork ribs so famous in Shanghai are to die for. Before you spend too much time trying to find the species and origin of that delicious looking food on your plate, try it! You will be surprised what you actually may like.

Be prepared to negotiate and haggle for most goods and services, but also use common sense. Of course you will pay more than the locals, your annual income is probably many times greater. Also, don’t always believe the stories of other travelers. It is not really possible to get everything at a 70% discount.

Stop buying counterfeit goods on the street, particularly DVD’s and that ridiculous Rolex watch! Your friends and neighbors back home in Washington are constantly fighting this matter, yet you’re the main reason it exists. Besides, the DVD will most likely not work back home unless you bothered to buy a local made player and the Rolex is guaranteed not to keep good time. Look around you in the major cities-the locals are buying the REAL ones.

Get off the beaten path. There are hundreds of thousands of enchanting and memorable venues besides those that the local version of Gray Line recommended. Have your hotel arrange a driver and itinerary and take your camera!

Last but not least, have the journey of a lifetime, for all the ingredients are there.

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