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Posts: 362

Shifu

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Q: Chinese interns lack sense of humour?

Yesterday, I decided me and my Chinese girlfriend would go eat at fancy restaurant after I finish work, but I wanted to add a twist to it, because everything is always funnier when there's fun lying around!

Before leaving the office, I told the Chinese intern that she had to come to our place to babysit our kid. It was hard not to giggle when I said this, because I don't have any children! The Chinese intern looked at me oddly, then said she had a date with her boyfriend. I replied it was very important if she wanted a permanent post after the end of her internship, so of course she called her boyfriend to cancel her date.

When I came back home, my Chinese girlfriend looked at the intern with a very weird look. I gave the "don't ask question" to her, then told the Chinese intern that the child was already sleeping in his room, and that waking him up was a big no-no. We went to the restaurant, drank wine and had very good dinner. It was really fun!

When we came back, the Chinese intern was watching TV in the living room. I asked if the child was doing okay, she said yes. I went into our guest bedroom, then came back yelling "WHERE IS JEBEDIAH? (i made up the name)" then dragged her to the room so she would see it's empty. She started panicking very hard, while I was very inquisitive about what she did. It was difficult because I'm not used to be hard on my minion, and I was really giggling inside. I sent her home, saying we would talk about it the day after.

This morning, she was sweating very much. I called her on the intercom to come see me in my office, then i started cackling like a little girl. When she arrived, she was so scared it was very very funny! I then told her it was a joke, the kind that got me up the ladder back in HQ in Montana, 'Merica. I asked her how good the joke was, but much to my surprise, she didn't say a word and left my office.

It led me to wonder why she didn't say a word.

Is it because the young generation lack a sense of humour?

12 years 34 weeks ago in  Business & Jobs - China

 
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Posts: 36

Governor

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Maybe it is you who lacks the sense of humour?

Maybe you could wait till you see her boyfriend carrying her handbag, and compare him to a convicted rapist. That will surely have them chuckling "moar and moar"

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12 years 34 weeks ago
 
Posts: 1084

Shifu

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I would have been p*ssed! ! !

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12 years 34 weeks ago
 
Posts: 362

Shifu

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Njord, I have moar determination that you can imagine! I won't fire her because she lacks sense of humour, I'll work my best to give her that sense of humour! I really like my minions and she is part of the team, although she can be slacking sometime. I think the best way to learn is through experience, so I'll make moar jokes to her, so she can become a better person and be the best asset she can be for her Milord.

I know the pool is very large here and it may be tempting to fire an employee to replace it, but I believe once a team is set, we have to work as a group for the best interest of HQ back in Montana, 'Merica. She can be a better person and it is my job to make it happen!

And JamesR, you have a brilliant idea! I'll think about instating a "bring your significant other Friday". We could have a nice lunch, let them judge on our dance performance and organize a "tell a secret about you" seminar, this might really help the team bonding! Thanks a bunch, JamesR!

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12 years 34 weeks ago

Getting halp from moar and moar people is like spin-o-rama high-fiving new friends on answers.echinacities.com with a tip of the hat finishing move.

 
Posts: 27

Governor

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You have a very "original" sense of humor, PoutineDuFion. The way you manage your employees is quite unique, I never heard about it. I just hope my hubby never gets a boss like you...

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12 years 34 weeks ago
 
Posts: 44

Governor

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What the...? That would be borderline illegal in Austria and would get you fired/prosecuted for psychological harassment... You're lucky the Law is lenient for expats over here!

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12 years 34 weeks ago
 
Posts: 44

Governor

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It wouldn't surprise me if it's real, anything can happen in China! I wonder if those managing strategies work...

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12 years 34 weeks ago
 
Posts: 335

Shifu

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I played a similar practical joke on an employee once.

Although mine involved a receptionist, the stationery cupboard, seven margheritas, some rohypnol, a broken condom and an abortion.

Needless to say, it wasn't very funny.

I hate it when practical jokes backfire.

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12 years 34 weeks ago
 
Posts: 1153

Shifu

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not only was it not funny it was ignorant you are rep your country and you act like a 4 year old grow up and act your age and try and do somethig adnormal act like a professional

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12 years 34 weeks ago
 
Posts: 362

Shifu

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You are clearly misunderstood, bat22. I've been sent here from Montana, 'Merica because China is a market we are developing as hard as we can. My predecessor showed really bad results and got shipped in Germany, where we are already well established. I got chosen because I worked my way up in the company. I've been a janitor, I've been a receptionist, I've been manager. So I know what people really want, and what people want is to have moar fun than anything else!

I know employees are often intimidated by their bosses, moar of the time they think they are disconnected from reality. Well I do think differently, I try to be their big brother, helping them, making them feel comfortable. That includes dancing and jokes, to lighten up the mood! It makes me giggle everytime! And I'm very patient. That Chinese intern wasn't receptive, I think because last week she broke up with her boyfriend. I could have fire her for her lack of sense of humour and lack of productivity, but I didn't, because my minions are like little brothers and sisters to me.

HQ back in Montana, 'Merica, is pleased with my job so far, and my minions are working harder than ever! If I learned something very very important in China, it's that sky is the limit for those who think outside the box!

And Ludovico, it turned bad because you forgot the coathanger! If your practical joke includes alcohol, you never know what goes and you need to have a coathanger close!

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12 years 34 weeks ago

Getting halp from moar and moar people is like spin-o-rama high-fiving new friends on answers.echinacities.com with a tip of the hat finishing move.

 
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Governor

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Poutine - You really need to find out more about general working conditions for Chinese workers in spite of all the Employment Laws... I will accept that what you did was funny only if you treat the intern and her BF to a dinner, unless you can only have fun at the expense of others

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12 years 34 weeks ago
 
Posts: 362

Shifu

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rlmc, never would i go beyound what the law allows me to! What I'm trying to do is create real bonding between the team. I organize wacky tuesdays where we all dance to make a high school musical, business style. It takes 45 minutes after lunch, and of course they receive full salary when doing it!

Last weekend I organized a surprise outing at KTV and bowling, where i teached the Chinese intern how to do the pelvic thrust, while other did the hands in the air move while downing shots of alcohol. It was a blast, but I forgot to say they were paid in full during the outing, and of course all costs were covered by the company. I am very comprehensive with my employees, I know what they want and what they need to be moar productive. I do my best to make them confortable at work, it is very very important if i want them to be productive!

It's just that sometimes, it can be discouraging because they have very few sense of humour. So I train them! It will definitely help them beyond their job. Because work is moar than just work, it's a lifestyle! Work hard, party hard!

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12 years 34 weeks ago

Getting halp from moar and moar people is like spin-o-rama high-fiving new friends on answers.echinacities.com with a tip of the hat finishing move.

 
Posts: 362

Shifu

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Mine happy chicken costume is a souvenir I have since before ending up in Montana, 'Merica. I worked as an ice cream mascot in Italy for a few months, to get the cash to fly to Costa Rica with my bunny Bob. I ended up meeting Larry in 'Merica and followed him to his trailer in Montana. The happy chicken is actually my idea, because it represents the eggs in the ice cream, making it moar delicious. I was quite the Jig dancer myself!

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12 years 33 weeks ago

Getting halp from moar and moar people is like spin-o-rama high-fiving new friends on answers.echinacities.com with a tip of the hat finishing move.

 
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Emperor

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good idea,,,do you think I can get job as chicken dancer in China,, was really looking for dog outfit tho,,so maybe dog dancer for dog restaurant,,I don't see any listed,,,, be good fun while drinking all day,,, then run run run,, we do that alot in Great White North,, see get free costume,,,use run run run for evrything,, polar bear, dining, free stuff,,, run run run. Need costume for GF, bring dog over, then ship GF home in dog costume,,,, hope no body look for this new scam,,,promised Gf we play spank the bad dog

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12 years 33 weeks ago
 
Posts: 99

Governor

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I am not sure, there is a line between a good joke or 'sense of humor' and just a plain cruel phychological game.

She cancelled an appointment with someone, you know that good time and dinner you had with your girlfriend? Her night was suppose to be like that too, instead she was holed up in your apartment unable to enjoy her night, furthermore, she went home frightened on what will happen to her because her boss' son went missing under her supposed watch, the poor girl might not even sleep all night dreading daylight. And than when she got to work, what did she get? Her boss laughing to her face about a supposed joke, on her expense.

I went to college with Chinese students and am now 'working my way up' in a company where I am mostly surrounded by Chinese colleagues, I have come to find that their sense of humor is vastly different from what I find funny.

That girl might be 'serious' or whatever but have it ever occured to you that you might just crossed a certain line here? or is your sense of humor so big and wonderful, as it had help you get your promotion back home, that you just can't see not everyone will just eat it up?

Next time you want to test someone sense of humor, opt for something that would not waste anyones time and inflict psychological torture on your 'victim'.

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12 years 33 weeks ago
 
Posts: 362

Shifu

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Have you been in China for long time, diaphragme? I work for a company in the textile industry, with the HQ based in Montana, 'Merica. I got sent here because I traveled a lot during my youth, I met a lot of different people, new cultures and new countries. I also worked my way up in the company and I'm now COO for our business in China.

When I first arrived, I realized Chinese were totally different from 'Mericans and Lithuanians. The workers had poor productivity and were not motivated to work hard, and they didn't get any pride in their work.

I thought about it hard, but it took me little time to pinpoint the issue and make direct correlation between no productivity and no dancing. Being an enthusiast dancer myself, I can see it gives them that fire in the eyes. Plus, a lot of Chinese people are very good with the Jazz hands. And Chinese people love titles. So I call them my minions while they call me Milord.

Since I arrived, there has been moar productivity, making HQ very pleased they made the right choice of sending me in China. I also met my Chinese girlfriend here, and even if she get mads when she is wrong but doesn't realize it, I really love her. I usually make her drink a bottle of red wine so she acknowledge and understand why she is wrong.

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12 years 33 weeks ago

Getting halp from moar and moar people is like spin-o-rama high-fiving new friends on answers.echinacities.com with a tip of the hat finishing move.

 
Posts: 110

Governor

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Maybe I've been living in a different China, but from my experience Chinese aren't too fond of dancing. I hate stereotypes, but they actually suck at it.

So if you're forcing your employees to dance at work, I tip my hat to you for being impossibly innovative, and I offer you a sincere 'jiayou' when you get sacked from your job, which is inevitable.

How long have you been working in China, Poutine?

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12 years 33 weeks ago
 
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Governor

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For a COO you don't seem to grasp the basic meaning of my post, it's simple, no matter where you are, how you are, who you are, or even what you are, you cannot justify yourself for being a psychological bully and pass it as having a sense of humor.

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12 years 33 weeks ago
 
Posts: 362

Shifu

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It's because you are stuck up with what you learned in College, Diaphragme, that you do not understand innovation. My predecessor was a bit like you, always trying to apply what he learned from dinosaurs, "because an English study shows it can halp the workplace". I studied in a small community college in Montana, 'Merica, and while we probably didn't have the best professors, I learned to use my experience in life that made me get to where i am now.

When I got shipped to China, I realized the vast majority of the workers had no productivity, no enthusiasm and were slacking. I've been there myself, and it's mostly because upper management usually believes human labour is cheaper than machines. While you have to buy a machine, you only lease the employee, because when he gets his burnout, you fire him and hire another worker.

I don't buy that philosophy. I've worked as a waiter in a small shack, I used to bring the water bottles to the board and cleanup after them. I know how employees feel when there is absolutely no bond, no trust and no consideration from the upper management.

My system is different, I want my minions to feel like they are part of the family. All of my minions share a bond, made up thanks to dancing. I can honestly say that the Jazz hands and the High-five March is much better than hiring a consultant for a year to try and pinpoint the problem. In a family, everyone is different, it's the same in the company. You don't want them to be alike, but you want to share something special together.

And you say I am bullying my Chinese intern? You're totally off, Diaphragme. She's an intern, so she's not "entirely" part of our company, but I do my best to make her feel like she's a full member of the team. By doing that, she will work moar and be dedicated to be the best. Why do you think during my last saturday's outing i taught her the pelvic thrust? Why do you think i made her do a spin-o-thrust on the tables? Interns often feel left-out because they're here temporarily. Well what I do is work even harder and give them extra attention so they feel included.

And come on, Diaphragme, my joke was hilarious! You say it's not funny because you didn't see her face that night nor the day after in my office. You would be cackling like a turned-on hyena if you had seen it. I don't know if the Chinese intern will stay with us later, but as long as she's here, I'll make sure she feels like she's part of the family, that's for sure!

I've been here for a little less than a year, and with my dedication to everybody - no exception - i proved to HQ back in Montana, 'Merica, that the old fossils method learned in the West don't apply to China. It's a different mentality and you have to adapt. Dancing is the foundation of my management, and so far results prove me right.

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12 years 33 weeks ago

Getting halp from moar and moar people is like spin-o-rama high-fiving new friends on answers.echinacities.com with a tip of the hat finishing move.

 
Posts: 20

Governor

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not lack sence of humour. but in a different way. culture gap. and hope you can make a "small one" at first if you want to play a joke

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12 years 32 weeks ago

Never stop.

 
Posts: 176

Governor

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'Training' people to have a sense of humor might not work out well. Nor do all people enjoy having to do 'pelvic thrust' moves in front of co-workers. I think the only reason you haven't been fired yet is because your employees are intimidated by you.

As a general rule of thumb bosses in China tend not to meddle too much with their employees - it's slightly debasing for them (both ways) and can involve quite a loss of face. I'm not speaking of formal occasions or anything, which your events, Poutine, clearly are not.

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12 years 32 weeks ago
 
Posts: 37

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u sound like terrible boss! y force dancing if ur employees not want? y embarassing workers and no let they work?

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12 years 32 weeks ago
 
Posts: 37

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Chinese worker work hard! Its not not usual towork 10 12 hours no stop almost. y say we not work hard? i bet u saw pillow in Westerner documentry?

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12 years 32 weeks ago
 
Posts: 91

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You wouldn't laugh either if your life was worth a bowl of noodles to your boss.

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12 years 32 weeks ago
 
Posts: 91

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"Chinese worker work hard! Its not not usual towork 10 12 hours no stop almost. y say we not work hard? i bet u saw pillow in Westerner documentry?"

hahahaHah

Chinese work 12 hour days because they SLEEP for eight of those hours. I've seen it. Chinese collegues sleeping at their desks. If Chinese work so hard vehruglan explain THIS. You can't argue arithmetic.

http://www.chinasignpost.com/2011/07/how-do-the-economic-outputs-of-chin...

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12 years 32 weeks ago
 
Posts: 1989

Peasant

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If China is so great, why would people have to work that much? There's something fishy here... But if Mr. PoutineDuFion really manage to get real productivity from his workers, then he deserves an award...

JamesR, what's up with the serial rapist talk?

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12 years 32 weeks ago
 
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