I'm starting this thread because I'm going to collect views and perspectives for my blog on a healthy and productive way for us Chinese, especially those who have never been exposed to overseas living, to work with or even lead foreign colleagues.

Strange thread, you might think.

Through my life experience both overseas and in China, I have come across Chinese people who fawn over their foreign colleagues yet will say the nastiest things you can imagine at their back, I've also come across those who are excellent employees with good principles, but don't seem to communicate well with their foreign bosses, and those who appear more competitive than they normally are, when with a foreign co-worker, and...

And I am talking about those of us who have studied/lived in a different culture. And for others who happen to speak good English and end up landing a job in a multi-cultural work environment in China, this is how I feel about many of them...

They are very lost.

So here are my questions for you:
1. What do you think of your Chinese co-workers? How comfortable are you when working with them?
2. Are they leader material in a multi-cultural team?
3. (If you are a lady) What do you think of Chinese guys approaching foreign girls? What's your suggestion for them?

The last question is because I noticed that those Chinese guys with foreign girlfriends seem to have a much better working relationship with foreign co-workers.

I've noticed there are no big relation problems between Foreign and Chinese co-workers as long as the foreigners can communicate in Chinese.

And 99% of the problem that are said to be "cultural differences" are in fact communication problems and misunderstanding. It's difficult to work with someone you can't have a laugh with, you can't joke, you can't talk about something else than your job or can't have an informal dinner with.

Actually there are mindset differences even between foreign-born Chinese and mainland Chinese. The cultural and mindset difference between foreign workers and mainland Chinese is even greater.

You will notice that 80% of foreigners in China can only work in a specific sector - language teachers, english writers, etc. Just like how Filipino ladies can only work as maids.

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Astroboy: You will notice that 80% of foreigners in China can only work in a specific sector - language teachers, english writers, etc. Just like how Filipino ladies can only work as maids.

Just like 80% of Chinese people in France can only work in cheap Asian fast-food? (I'm Joking)

You're probably right with your 80% of foreigners working in China as language teachers. But you take the problem from the wrong side. Foreigners doesn't come to China to find a job and then end up as language teachers; but China has a lot of teaching vacancies for foreign teachers and foreigners come to fill them.

It's also difficult for small Chinese company to legally hire foreign employees.

So most of foreigners can work as foreing expert by teaching in School (your 80% are maybe right) or hired by foreign companies.

There is another problem for foreigners in China, it's very difficult to open a small business. If you want to open a small business (small shop, small company, restaurant...) you must find Chinese associates, even if they don't do anything that letting you using their name to get the liscences and the administrative work. And it's also very difficult to get you a business visa for your own business. It's also forbidden to work if you have a 配偶 visa (for example married to a Chinese wife).

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You're probably right with your 80% of foreigners working in China as language teachers. But you take the problem from the wrong side. Foreigners doesn't come to China to find a job and then end up as language teachers; but China has a lot of teaching vacancies for foreign teachers and foreigners come to fill them.

Yes, we need english teachers like we need Filipino maids. It's a prestige thing when proud Chinese parents say their kids are tutored by laowais.

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It's also difficult for small Chinese company to legally hire foreign employees.

Actually it's not difficult at all. Many small local companies hire foreign backpackers in need of food and shelter, send them to the tailor to get a suit and ask them to play-act as "foreign consultants" just to impress the competitors. There are many "play-acting" positions available for westerners besides teaching.

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There is another problem for foreigners in China, it's very difficult to open a small business. If you want to open a small business (small shop, small company, restaurant...) you must find Chinese associates, even if they don't do anything that letting you using their name to get the liscences and the administrative work. And it's also very difficult to get you a business visa for your own business. It's also forbidden to work if you have a 配偶 visa (for example married to a Chinese wife).

That depends. Many overseas Chinese who are non-nationals can easily travel or set up business on the mainland. I just renewed my 2-year visa and only had to pay like US$50 visa fee. I guess the govt welcomes overseas Chinese more than they do westerners.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/09/2011 06:43PM by Olive.

In foreign countries Chinese people are quite the introverts and usually quiet. Quiet people don't lead. But I've seen a lot of Chinese that do lead in foreign MNCs. Especially Chinese girls. They can act like total bitches, scream and scold effectively. Foreign land somehow can bring the Bitch out of a Chinese girl. And somehow CHinese guys in foreign land are pussywhipped. Its

In China it makes no sense to hire a lower rank foreign workers to work under you. They don't really work harder and they are more expensive. In fact they might get lost since China's business is very foreign to them. Completely different environment. As for foreign leaders usually known as the real expats. They are specialists that can lead. You are paying top dollar to them to make a difference and change you company for the better. Why you want to downgrade them to follower doesn't make sense. These expats tend to be very skilled and adapatable so no worries about them getting loss.

Chinese they can lead. Its just in China they usually hire expats to fill leading spots that can't be filled by locals. But there are tons of Chinese leading colleagues in US, Canada, Australia, Europe etc. Yeah they are mostly the born and rasied as OBCs. Because OBCs tend to communicate better in Western countries. People won't promote people they can't communicate with.