Retired Chinese play checkers.
I have now been traveling in and out of Asia for the last four years, of these four I have spent 13 months, actually residing and doing business in China. I have to admit that coming here I thought that I would have a very open mind, after all, I once was an immigrant in the USA and have traveled and done business in many countries… but, much to my surprise found my self falling into many “generalizations†and prejudices.
At a basic level Chinese people are no different than people in Des Moines, Iowa; they all want good health, family, a good school for their children and a prosperous future. They all long to be fruitful at their job and be able to enjoy their hours of relaxation. It is how their cultural roots make them go about achieving this that is very different from the west. Almost on a daily basis I am reminded that I am not in Kansas anymore! (more…)