Flying the Friendlier Skies in China

February 22, 2010

Originally published at Speak Without Interruption on February 10, 2010
By Bob Grant — publisher/editor for Speak Without Interruption

When I first started going to China, I was warned not to fly on Chinese domestic airlines.  I was told they were old, cast-off planes or old military planes, and that people were crammed into each plane with barnyard and other animals.  Before I felt daring and took a domestic flight one day, I was under the influence of yet another case of Chinese stereotyping. 

In all honesty, over the years, I have not had an uncomfortable or unpleasant flight anywhere inside China.  To get to our meetings we had to fly quite a bit.  We went, mainly, to cities up and down the eastern coast; however, we did fly occasionally to inland locations.  Some flights were long—some were short—all were without mishap.

Chinese Stewardess Photo courtesy of Bob Grant

I found the service provided, once inside the plane, to be exceptional.  I was always greeted in English even if I was the only non-Chinese on the flight, which occurred many times.  I was even handed Chinese newspapers in English. The flight attendants were quite efficient. On most flights, we received drinks, a snack, more beverages, a hot Chinese meal (which was always good), and then a last set of beverages.  I never paid extra for my checked luggage, the snacks, drinks, meals or great service.

I was also impressed with the screening, security, and overall terminal experience.  There “are” many people in China—most seemed to be flying on the same days that I flew.  However, in going through the document check (passport for me—identity cards for my Chinese associates) and then the security check which is similar to the security checks I have been through in other countries including the US, I found the process to be quite efficient.  I am an “early get to the airport” type of guy—my Chinese associates are not.  They gave me much concern on numerous occasions when we would arrive at the airport a half-hour before our plane departed.  Fortunately, we never missed our flight and never really had to run to catch it. We went through all stations in such an efficient manner that I should not have bothered to worry (but I always did).

Again, as with my other posts regarding China, I can only speak to my own experiences.  I am certain other travelers have horror stories about flying domestically within China.  My main reason for offering this insight is, for me, another example of incorrect information when it came to China, its people, and its functioning.

If you would like to read other guest posts by Bob Grant, start with They All Look Alike.

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Posted by Lloyd Lofthouse

I Ate no Dog – I Ate no Cat

February 19, 2010

Originally published at Speak Without Interruption on February 9, 2010
By Bob Grant — publisher/editor for Speak Without Interruption

When I first traveled to China, I was warned about the food from many well-meaning people—some who had traveled to China and some who had not.  I was told that I would starve if I did not take food in my suitcase, so I did.  I took trail mix and hard candy nearly overloading my suitcase.  It was just one of the stereotypes of China that I had heard and believed before I experienced true Chinese food for myself.  For that first trip, I ended up throwing away most of the food that I had brought because I did not want to lug it back to the U.S.

I will admit that the food is different from what I normally eat—to be honest, it is definitely healthier.  I found there to be a lot of vegetables, fish, and chicken—I never ate Dog or Cat at least to my knowledge.  I ate at restaurants and I ate in factories.  I ate what was put in front of me, and I stayed in places where my associates stayed.  I had customers who went to China on their own for other products.  They would not stay in anything but “Western Style” hotels and would not eat anything but “Western Style” food, and there are places in the larger cities, which have both.  Some of them would even go as far as to not eat during the day with their hosts—rather waiting until they returned to their hotels for their “Western Style” food.  I always felt that was rather rude to say the least and a bit disrespectful. 

As for the food itself, I found it to be, for the most part, rather tasty.  I took my hosts advice and did not drink the tap water.  I drank bottled water, their very excellent hot tea, and a lot of their extremely appealing Chinese beer.  The food was normally brought out as it was prepared and put on a Lazy Susan.  Everyone turned it until the food they wanted was in front of them and then put it on their plates or ate it over, or on, a bowl of steamed white rice.  We ate a lot in restaurants in private rooms, which I truly enjoyed.  There was no outside noise, and the atmosphere was more personal.  When I ate in factories, it was what the employees ate and in their dining area—each experience was unique and enjoyable.  I learned to use Chopsticks at least enough to get food from the plate to my mouth.  Although people keep bringing me utensils, I stuck with the Chopsticks while in the country.  I “never” got sick from anything that I ate or drank in China, which is more than I can say for my normal diet.

The food is just one of the misconceptions of China and its people.  I believed what I was told until I experienced it myself—not unlike other things in my life that I have been told by others only to be dispelled once I experienced it personally.

If you would like to read other guest posts by Bob Grant, start with They All Look Alike

3 Comments | business, China, Chinese Culture, tourism | Tagged: , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Lloyd Lofthouse

I Never Met a Communist in China

February 17, 2010

Originally published at Speak Without Interruption on February 6, 2010
By Bob Grant — publisher/editor for Speak Without Interruption

I have been traveling to China since 1998.  I would not consider myself a seasoned traveler to that country—making around twenty-five visits total.  When I traveled there, I usually stayed between one and two weeks. Never during any of my visits did I ever see or meet a “Red” Chinese person.  I saw no one wearing an “I am a Communist” sweatshirt, ball cap, t-shirt, sunglasses, button or anything else physically labeling them a Communist.  I saw no street banners, bumper stickers, storefront displays, mass gatherings or any other public notice that I was among Communists.  What I was among were just people—regular people.

All of my visits were for business purposes.  I met with business people only and traveled to see their factories or offices.  I did not take much time to “sightsee” which was a mistake in retrospect. 

With my business, I tended to visit locations where I was the “only” non-Chinese person within miles.  I never felt threatened or out of place.  No one ever stared at me or pointed—“Look at that non-Communist person.” 

I found “most” of the people with whom I came in contact during both business meetings and other activities to be very pleasant, warm, humble, honorable, respectful and charming.  I will have to admit that I did have some dealings with business people who were other than honest; however, China does not hold a monopoly on those types of business people.  As a rule, I found the Chinese people with whom I had my dealings to be extremely hard working, dedicated and honest.

I had no fear going out on my own in any part of China that I visited day or night.  I was never threatened or accosted in any manner. 

One day I was walking around a city on a Sunday afternoon—alone.  I felt a tug on my shirtsleeve and turned to find two young girls at my side.  One asked me if they could speak with me—in good English.  I did not suspect their reasons for talking with me to be anything other than honorable, so I said “sure.” 

The girls were students at the university and their English professor had given them an assignment to stop, interview and take a photo with any “Westerner”.  They said they had been looking for hours and I was the only “Westerner” they had seen.  I was happy to answer their questions—one of the girls took my photo with the other girl. They thanked me, and went on their way.  These were just two young students with an assignment, and I felt honored that I was able to help them complete it.

Perhaps I am being a bit naive—I was obviously around Communists during my visits to China, but I never felt that I had really “met” one.  I had been fortunate enough to meet people from another country and culture, and they had accepted me at face value.  I enjoyed each one of my visits to China and care a great deal for China and its people. 

I truly believe if people could meet and work with other people around the world that many of the world’s problems would be solved.  Perhaps this is a bit Pollyanna of me but this is how I see things from my myopic point of view and experiences, with China and its people, and I will stand by them.

If you would like to read other guest posts by Bob Grant, start with They All Look Alike.

Leave a Comment » | America, business, China, Chinese Culture, education, tourism | Tagged: , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Lloyd Lofthouse

I am not the Manchurian Candidate

February 14, 2010

Originally published at “Speak Without Interruption” on February 7, 2010
By Bob Grant — publisher/editor for Speak Without Interruption

How can you embrace an enemy of the USA?  More important–why would you?  If these questions have not been outright asked of me–they have been implied.  Why I chose to speak highly of China, and its people, is something that I do willingly and with pride. 

I am not the Manchurian Candidate. I was never brainwashed during my visits there. I was not tortured or forced into my feelings in any way. Subliminal messages were not piped into my hotel room at night. I did not have bamboo shoots shoved under my fingernails. I was not drugged or impaired in any way unless it was done willingly by drinking too much of that fine Chinese beer.

Within my small circle of business contacts, experiences, and associations I would say it is Western business people who are trying to brain wash the Chinese. As I developed my business relationships, I both read and experienced failures mainly because Western companies tried to “Westernize” their Chinese business partners rather than adapting to their Chinese partners way of doing business. 

Maybe it has been different for others who have done business within China but for me, personally, my successes came from letting the Chinese conduct business in “their way”, and I tried to educate my customers in their methods and ways. I won’t say it was not frustrating at times—in fact, it was frustrating most of the time. 

However, in the end, it was what worked best for me while others failed. Honor and “saving face” are very important to the Chinese—I tried not to put any of my associates in a position that threatened either.

Again, just from my experience, I have to say that people from any part of the world can work together to achieve a common goal if all parties can be flexible and understanding. From my perspective, this is the true receipt for success among the world’s population.

If you would like to read other guest posts by Bob Grant, see They All Look Alike.

1 Comment | American culture, business, Chinese Culture, economy | Tagged: | Permalink
Posted by Lloyd Lofthouse

Guest Post—I have a Love Affair with China and its People

February 12, 2010

By Bob Grant — publisher/editor for Speak Without Interruption
Originally published at Speak Without Interruption on February 6, 2010

I have been traveling to China since 1998 and had a business and personal relationship there since 2003.  I have a business that is based on these relationships built up over the years—they continue today.  I am not a young man—but even at 64, I know that the relationships I have made there are once in a lifetime treasures.  I have found China and its people to be nothing like they are portrayed in the media.  I will—as best I can recall — write about specific experiences and places, I have visited.  Unfortunately, the original computer that I had when I started my China business fried its hard drive, and although I was warned, I never backed up my material so I have lost many excellent photos. However, I have enough remaining pictures to tell a story or two.

See China Law Blog
See Doing Business in China

1 Comment | America, business, China | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by Lloyd Lofthouse

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