It’s Been a long time I shouldn’t of left you…

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Thousands of you have written to me asking what happened next. What happened once you settled into your new life in Hong Kong? Did it all work out? Are you happy? Well readers, I have bad news – things have not gone as smoothly as I hoped. Why? Well, I have learnt a lot over the last three months and most of it is about how the Cantonese mind works and how they do business. There is a difference between an Asian way of doing business and a Western, more specifically European and American, way of doing business. Firstly I am one of only three cracker ass westerners in my company which tells you all you need to know about the ‘International’ facade they are keen to pimp to the world. This being the case it is basically a closed shop for the locals and seeing as I do not speak the lingo they can discuss me in front of me as I don’t understand a word being said. Secondly my colleagues do not have a creative bone in their bodies. They cannot think original thought and instead, whether they would like to admit it or not, they ape and mimic ‘western’ concepts and ideas. Oh I know this may sound harsh but the proof is in the pudding and I speak with experience and from my point of view I do not speak for all companies in Hong Kong – just my one. Thirdly they are addicted to not ‘losing face’. Yes, avoid any confrontation with anyone at any time which all great if you work in a shop but if you need to reach a level of discussion and creativity then there is inevitably friction and debate. That is how it works. Alas this is lost and any descision is taken at a snails pace and delivered cold. As you can imagine these above reasons are driving me out of my tiny London brain so I have to roll over and take it like a man. The thing is that it is easier to work here as you copy copy copy any other similar process so I can sit back with my rice and pork and take the money. Plus I get to travel and the weather is better than the UK so I’m quids in but my verdict? 5/10 disappointing but time will tell…

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