My only regret was that I didn’t experience China much sooner. What’s more, I can’t wait to get back. The Chinese culture is alive with energy and a cooperative spirit that is absolutely addictive. I haven’t experienced this vibrancy in so long I had honestly forgotten it ever existed.
Remember when we were optimistic about everything we did? Everyone was excited about new ideas and innovation and we-as a culture-were positive we would succeed. Across the American business world people were anxious to meet with you to explore the endless possibilities for commerce. Where on earth did that spirit go? This is not a rhetorical question: It went south-or, rather, east.
In China’s thriving factories the biggest challenge seems to be getting enough raw materials to fill all the orders for the worlds markets. Of course there are other challenges, including rising labor costs and energy shortages. But when you talk about rising labor costs in China you’re talking about increases from an average of $400 per month to $460. Have you checked out union wages for American factory workers lately? How can we hope to compete when unions keep pushing wages into the stratosphere? I’m all for ensuring that workers earn a living wage, but isn’t there a middle ground that won’t make it impossible for us to compete in international markets?
The Chinese Dragon
Once I got past the feeling that the Chinese dragon would someday swallow the weakened American eagle, I took a good look at the sea of people around me. It’s a population four times the size of ours and filled with happy people willing to work long and hard for very little. They feel positive about their country, their government and the progress they are making in the world. I found the Chinese people to be incredibly proud, warm, friendly, caring and willing to do whatever it takes to do good, fair and honest business.
Witnessing this infectious optimism made me really miss what was once a uniquely American energy. But we took it for granted and stood back and watched our elected leaders give it all away. The Chinese did nothing wrong in accepting our gifts; on the contrary, they accepted graciously what we handed them and, unlike us, recognized its value.
Getting Our Mojo Back
This visit really brought to light the sharp contrast between modern American and Chinese cultures. I hope that we find a way to get our MoJo back and again kick some butt on the world stage. (Donald Trump is actually starting to look really good to me, despite the pompadour. At least he exudes a sense of energy.)
While visiting West Lake in Hangzhou with my new friend, Lucy, I heard a Chinese man singing beautifully what sounded like Chinese opera. Chuckling, Lucy asked me if I knew what he was singing about. She then explained he was singing about how well the country is doing-the rapid progress it’s making.
So I asked, “Do you mean that you have a national anthem about how badly you’re kicking our ass?”
Lucy smiled and said, ‘Yes.’”
Soon after, upon leaving a Chinese factory, the owner handed everyone in my group a beautiful set of decorative chop sticks. He then bowed and told us to practice using them. I thought that was ironic, considering that it’s the Chinese who are eating OUR lunch.