06-03-2008, 03:12 PM
aloha all,
actually carey, i'm getting paid "chinese wages," comparable to my level of experience and background. of course there are those making alot of money in china compared with a vast majority not making great salaries.
what i'm really comparing, and i think john is too, is the remarkable service that goes along with the average purchase. that is what is truly memorable. service is something that is provided regardless of the price you pay. you expect great service in the US when you spend top dollar. you receive great service in asia regardless.
most of the very affordable things that i've mentioned (foot massage, food, haircut) would be "affordable" expenditures for the average citizen. in-line with what you might spend in the US based upon your salary to the purchase.
i think some of it is cultural too. giving is a way of life in china. there is no social security or retirement for the most part, so it is expected that most children will be the ones providing for their parents when they are older. of course most chinese want to make money and be successful and prosper, but culturally there is alot of importance put upon giving and sharing even when you don't have much. i liken it very much to the "hawai'ian way," of giving that i've experienced with my hawai'ian friends. very similar. they may have close to nothing, but they'll gladly give you half of it...
on a side note, i thought i'd mention that gasoline in china is under $1 US. (about 75 cents actually) it is extremely affordable but automobile ownership is still pretty much a luxury, unlike the US where it is a given. again, as i stated previously, i think people in the US are a bit spoiled and would be amazed with how little we all truly need to survive and be happy with...
aloha!
actually carey, i'm getting paid "chinese wages," comparable to my level of experience and background. of course there are those making alot of money in china compared with a vast majority not making great salaries.
what i'm really comparing, and i think john is too, is the remarkable service that goes along with the average purchase. that is what is truly memorable. service is something that is provided regardless of the price you pay. you expect great service in the US when you spend top dollar. you receive great service in asia regardless.
most of the very affordable things that i've mentioned (foot massage, food, haircut) would be "affordable" expenditures for the average citizen. in-line with what you might spend in the US based upon your salary to the purchase.
i think some of it is cultural too. giving is a way of life in china. there is no social security or retirement for the most part, so it is expected that most children will be the ones providing for their parents when they are older. of course most chinese want to make money and be successful and prosper, but culturally there is alot of importance put upon giving and sharing even when you don't have much. i liken it very much to the "hawai'ian way," of giving that i've experienced with my hawai'ian friends. very similar. they may have close to nothing, but they'll gladly give you half of it...
on a side note, i thought i'd mention that gasoline in china is under $1 US. (about 75 cents actually) it is extremely affordable but automobile ownership is still pretty much a luxury, unlike the US where it is a given. again, as i stated previously, i think people in the US are a bit spoiled and would be amazed with how little we all truly need to survive and be happy with...
aloha!