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The 6-person band was sponsored by a beer manufacturer whose brand was brightly displayed on their T-shirts. Mostly, they played and sang popular American songs from the 60's to 70's such as those from Elvis Presley, the Carpenters, the Osmond Brothers, and Andy Williams. I paid very close attention to their pronunciations and intonations and found that they did very well.

I guess the 150 square metre establishment could accomodate around 150-180 persons sitting back-to-bac, and shoulder-to-shoulder. The average age of the patrons was probably arounnd 25-29 and 70% of them ladies! Their attire was very fashionable, and they enjoyed themselves with good grace and poise. Most of them were probably the new white collar class with salaries around 3000-5000 yuan or more. Some of them were returnees from overseas studies. There were some westerners, and Asian foreigners, but most of the clients were locals. In general, the atmosphere was pleasant, polite, exciting and very enjoyable. The beverage and snacks were very reasonably priced too. A cup of freshly brewed Blue Mountain coffee or a glass or fruit punch would cost around 20-30 yuan.

The Midnight Ladies of Shanghai

Some came with their male companions, some in groups, some in an all-ladies group, others, apparently among the colleagues or their families. No, no, these were not those "pick up" girls. They earned their money from working in the daytime. They have found outings like these interesting and affordable with their new affluence.

Quite a few of those were successful career ladies, but quite lonely at heart, and were quietly observing, waiting for the opportunity to make new friends. "Unless you go out, how can you meet people and make friends?" That was how one of them explained it to me. Bars and discos in Shanghai are not what they might be in other places, although, here too, they are not without those "normal" things. Having been to a few of them, I have become convinced that, the lady friends that I knew really meant what they said. Just spending leisure time for enjoyment and meeting new friends.

Of course, if you were a new boy in town wishing to make some new friends, a lot would depend on your own judgement, opportunity, and God's wishes.

FAQ

Cultural and social system differences are not the only factors that determine success or failures in foreign-invested ventures in China. What is listed as the preferred types of investment are correct and for those ventures public information is easily available. However, this is only the "entry visa" that does not guarantee any mutually satisfactory joint venture in China. You mustget results from high-ranking officials to the normal unskilled laborers in your project.

If you have read my first article in the Awakening Dragon (China: The Dragon Awakens), you will be aware of the 5 categories of local Chinese that you must work with, each of them with different levels of influence to your firm, different objectives, and must be dealt with in different ways. Too many foreign investors have falsely believed that they only need to please the higher level policy makers and they could get all their wishes and their problems straightened out through them as intermediaries.

Yes, you should go into the areas of investment, industries and locations that are encouraged by the authorities and make your investment plan congruent with the 15 year medium range economic plans that are usually broken down into five-year stages. If your plan is consistent with the ongoing policy and local economic conditions, your only concern then would be your local relationships, market linkages and internal management.

Very true to your words, as is the case in any country, the host countries always stand to gain exponentially in foreign-invested ventures and the foreign investor would gain only normal investment returns. The host countries give many incentives to the foreigners because they know the potential profitability and the foreign investors also should also know, with good research, what they would gain from the ventures. Without a serious, structures meeting of minds, such ventures are doomed from the beginning.

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.