Meet the Hustling Dragons "...When a Chinese decides to do something, they are usually very serious, very devoting, and give it all it takes..." Here is some more evidence from some snapshots of life in Shanghai. If the NFL ever franchises an American Football League team in China, I am sure the Chinese team would soon catch up, at least as far as their hustling spirit is concerned. The sight in front of me resembled front line players breezing the opponent's quarterback or the tacklers going after a running punt returner. Nobody is returning the punt nor kick-off however, as what I was experiencing was the sight of the passengers rushing onto a bus and "diving" for empty seats in Shanghai. Many of them are probably much older than the oldest coach in the NFL, half of them women. I must admit that the sight shocked me somewhat. In my 10 years in China, I have barely learned to deal with the hustling Chinese crowd. My acrobatic landing from the bus Once, during my earlier days in China, in attempting to get off a crowded bus during an afternoon rush hour, I found myself being pushed back on to the bus by people trying to push their way up, perhaps just trying to get home in time for dinner. After a brief pushing match, as I nearly cleared the mad crowd, just as an elbow hit in the back, tossing me into a triple somersault. Fortunately, it was not raining and I landed on the relatively clean and dry pavement A taste of the real Japanese food I could not understand what the receptionist was saying as I entered the restaurant. It sounded like Japanese anyway. It was smartly and tastefully decorated in Japanese style inside with two loops of rotating conveyers for the sushi dishes surrounded by counters and bar stools. Around the counters were picnic tables made from rubberwood with the matching chairs. The menu was printed in Chinese and Japanese featuring colorful pictures of the dishes. Even the name - the "Yuri Rotating Shishi" sounded Japanese. A complete set lunch with a continuous serving of boiling Japanese tea started from as low as 20 RMB ($2.20). Being a fan of Japanese food, I would give their food an "A" grade. At the center of the rotating loops stood the chefs displaying their immaculate sushi-making skills. The music and lighting was just soft enough for enjoying the bean curd soups, tempura, and teriyaki. So, instead of working in my own office, I often spent hours there, sipping away at the Japanese tea while writing about the people of this great city, Shanghai. Driven by my curiosity, finally I asked one of the managers whether it was an outlet of some big Japanese chain restaurant, a Japanese owned enterprise, or a Sino-Japanese joint venture. "No, sir,", said the manager. "...The owners are all Shanghainese. Some of them worked in Japan before...". If you like to try it the next time you are in Shanghai, it is on the fifth floor of the brand new Grand Plaza Shopping Center. The Chinese name is "Yuan-lu Hui Zhuan Shou Se". Still more hustling dragons It is also said of the Chinese that as soon as they catch on that your business can earn good money, in a short time you will be faced with so many competitors that the next race will be all about price cuts and closing downs. In the early 90's, ten pin bowling with computerized scoring systems was introduced into China. A game during the prime hours of 1800 to 0300 could cost forty to fifty 50 RMB ($5 US to $6) or more. That is, if you could manage to get an available bowling lane. Usually, you would need to buy a "reservation ticket" first. Those "reservation tickets" were usually already scooped up by some opportunistic ticket dealers who would gladly sell them on to you at an agreed price.. Within a few years, by 1997, Shanghai could boast well over 8600 operational bowling lanes. As expected, prices declined rapidly. Today, the prime hourly rate at any of the better establishments cab fetch no more than fifteen to twenty RMB. During the off peak hours, the games go for as low as one to three RMB per game.. Yes, many of them have already closed down, and others have reduced their number of bowling lanes. Some have even converted into billiard halls, dance halls, or even restaurants. The moral behind this is: "In China, never project the future by simply projecting profitability or groeth from the past or present." You must always anticipate flooding competition if your business is profitable. You might do well to sell it off to the enthusiastic new comers as soon as you open! Still more hustling, no taxis The early evening air was already freezing at Minus 5C, the lowest temperature in Shanghai thus far this year. With loads of groceries from one of the super supermarkets, I decided to catch a cab back to my apartment. In front of the store, on the side walk, hundreds of taxi-waving people form lines as if they were greeting some famous people. As another taxi pulled to a stop, long before its passenger got off, the fastest of the taxi catchers was already sitting inside. Realizing the impossibility of myself winning this game, I strolled down to the next bus stop and took a bus instead. The moral is to learn to catch a city bus in Shanghai. You will need that skill and the knowledge of the bus route because you are unlikely to be able to grab a taxi on a rainy or cold day. Piset Wattanavitukul Shanghai, China

Piset Wattanavitukul is Managing Director of P. W. Consultants specializing in Investment, Management and Trade in and with China and Human Resource Development in Shanghai and Ningbo.

...from Piset Wattanavitukul's Awakening Dragon

Piset Wattanavitukul Amigo Consultants Shanghai, People's Republic of China

Piset is the Asia Pacific Management Forum's newest columnist, providing on-the-ground tips, advice and commentary on doing business, marketing, and management in China. Piset is based in Shanghai, one of the world's most exciting cities. You can learn more about Piset by clicking on his photo.

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