Job Discussion Forums

[HiddenTreasure]

[wangdaning]

But the respecting Chinese custom and culture is in most contracts. This is one of those catch all phrases. I personally have no issues with locked gates/doors or bringing people home, but I am sure most Chinese people would agree that a woman/man going home with a foreigner for intercourse is not in line with Chinese culture (except maybe said woman/man).

I agree there is no legal basis for this, and I would find it unacceptable. However, if there is some vague catch all phrase in the contract about Chinese culture/customs, well, they can say whatever they want.

Knowing explicit rules of what will happen once in a position is difficult. Language is a key issue on this. Often, the English, even if written clearly, is interpreted differently by Party A. At the end of the day it is Party A who has control.

Luckily, my employer is a British company, but even my contract states I have to "respect Chinese moral standards and customs" (really, whatever that means).

[7969]

culture is not a static entity. it's constantly evolving, even in China.

[wangdaning]

[7969]

[igorG]

So, how is the local culture evolving? The married local leaders drive in Japanese cars, instead of ride on little horses, to KTVs where they order buckets of beers and lineups of young girls. And that while their old wivies are under the impression their husbands are conducting some "business negotiations". This is about the moral conduct, or misconduct, that applies to only some. FTs may have to deal with it as no local, especially a leader, would want a foreign face in his own garden.

[crashintheriver]

[mat chen]

This is the dream of the wealthy everywhere, to live in a gated community. Now the way around this is to pay a gift to the gatesman. I usually give them a bottle of baiju and a carton of cigs. Try to say hello in Chinese when you go by. The real problem is that in the past teachers shacked with their students. Most of the incidents where teachers were forced to leave the school involved homosexual relationships. Parents don't like this especially if it involves their sons.

[DixieCat]

I think they will take the gifts and report you anyway....what is Chinese is Chinese.. you will never change that...

[mat chen]

Your right dicksee. But doesn't this say something about the world we live in. People for sale everywhere. I myself work for food here. Like the gateskeeper I am shackled to my position that feeds me. It helps to be friendly to people.

[DixieCat]

[Ariadne]

DixieCat, are you suggesting that we be friendly only to the folks who can help us in some way? Maybe I misread your comment.

.

[DixieCat]

Everyone has criteria for friendship, but to use small gifts as bribes or to simply say hello is not an act of kindness or friendship. If this kind of behavior is exhibited in an effort to gain favor, the targeting of "gifting" should be better considered. Personally, I think if the guards like you, they will cover without "payoff" and by giving gifts the FT has painted "sucker" on his back and will receive contempt as opposed to favor.

[seamallowance]

I make a point of greeting the guards on my way in and way out. It is not because I expect something in return, it is simply basic decency.

I try to be nice to all those in the service industry, and that is at least partly due because I used to be one of them.

A bottle of baiju would be warmly received.

[Teatime of Soul]

The gateman is provided small gifts, (a bottle of baijio and/or a carton of cigs) by the Chinese management of the company for whom I sometimes work .

He seems quite friendly and attentive.

This seems no different than the Christmas gifts/gratuities one gives to mailmen, doormen, or refuse collection workers in America.

But, that quite different than attempting to use a gratuity to corrupt a worker from performing his assigned duties.

But we stray from the topic at hand.