Lately, after my short stint in Beijing, I have been sceptical about Beijing in general - cold weather, cold people, cold food. Each time after I came back, I will always lament about the bitter stuff. No recollection of sweet moments whatsover. Little did I know that this was too bad, and a great loss to me. Until I spoke to รค business development manager recently.
In a recent conversation, I found out that this manager had worked in China for more than six years! Just to make small talk, I asked him, "So, how's China? Was it hard?" expecting grouses and lamentations, just like me.
To my surprise, he answered, "Well, it was interesting!"
Interesting? How can that be?!
Suddenly, it dawned upon me that an expatriate will always need to be positive and bright at all times. Apart from that, expats ought not to expect people from another country to act, talk, walk and eat like them. There are different cultures in diffferent countries. We can't say they're rude, rough or uncivilized etc. Just think, had we been born there, we would have done everything exactly like them.
Expats needs to be mobile all the time. If they can't adapt and embrace the new culture, they will always remain the same in terms of perceptions and lifestyle. Ultimately, they'll still remain the same when compared to the first day they came. So, in my opinion, true expats need to be flexible and adaptable, and mingle a lot with the locals. Otherwise, one might better off be working in their own home country, where they might be most happy living with people they know best and conform to their expectations.
Want to be an expat? First, erase all your preconceptions, welcome the shocking change with open arms and do something new in your fresh surroundings everday.
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