What it’s like to live and work in China

Despite its reputation as one of the world's most exciting and dynamic places to live and work, China frequently inspires fear in the hearts of "foreigners." Here are some suggestions that may be useful.

Work in China: What to Expect

You may expect to be treated well by your coworkers in China if you decide to take a job there. Some people, even at firms that are used to hiring people from other countries, will still be genuinely interested in learning more about your culture and experiences since meeting someone from a different country is interesting.

However, the lengthy working hours typical of Chinese businesses may be difficult at times. Employees in many workplaces often log out for a 90-minute lunch break around noon, snooze throughout the afternoon, and then return to their desks far into the evening to finish up any remaining tasks.

China's yearly leave rules are rather restrictive when compared to those of Western countries. Ten days are set aside as national holidays, and most employers provide their employees five paid vacation days per year (though it is not unusual to hear of less). Since Christmas and other Western holidays are not recognized by most Chinese businesses, taking time off to visit family over the holidays may be challenging for expats working in China. Even at firms that have more generous annual leave policies for foreign workers, the probation period during which you are not entitled to any annual leave might be as long as a year.

Everything You Need to Know About Chinese Business Etiquette

A cultural shock is something that many foreign workers in China experience. Some expatriates may feel uncomfortable since the term "foreigner" is still often used in China.

If your Chinese isn't up to snuff, the gap between you and the locals will seem much wider. For example, in many workplaces, Chinese and non-Chinese employees eat lunch separately. This could be because they have different food preferences, but it could also be because Chinese employees would rather not spend their lunch break trying to communicate with you in English if you haven't made the effort to learn Chinese. It's important to remember that Chinese employees are generally paid far less than Westerners for comparable positions, which might have an effect on their social life.

While many foreigners get employment in China, many do so without ever learning the language. This is easier to do in major cities like Beijing and Shanghai, but you will still likely have trouble if you only know English. Foreigners who do not understand Chinese may be able to get and maintain more senior positions in China if they can demonstrate that their work experience is sufficiently valued and that they have the financial resources to employ local assistants/translators. Learning the fundamentals of the language is a must if you want to get an entry-level job in China.

How is day-to-day life in China?

Learning about Chinese cuisine in China

The cuisine is one of the finest aspects of living in China. Nearby, you may find a wide variety of delicious, reasonably priced cuisine, and eating out with friends or neighbors is the norm rather than the exception. You may expect to be blown away by the abundance of tasty surprises in the rich culinary culture, in addition to the well-known specialties like Peking duck.

Major cities also offer many places to eat pizza, spaghetti, and other Western-style dishes.

How much money do I need to get by every day in China?

Apartments in Beijing may be rented for 9,000 yuan (about 1,000 pounds sterling) per month, however this varies widely based on location. As part of their compensation package, several multinational corporations offer to cover employee rent.

Though living costs are low, if you want to partake in western-style activities like a night out at swanky cocktail clubs, you should expect to spend as much as you would in London.

Traditions in Chinese Culture

Western stereotypical depictions of Chinese culture pay much more attention to superficial details than the truth. Nonetheless, there are a few guidelines that should never be broken: use two hands when accepting or handing out business cards; remove your shoes before entering someone's house; and never turn down food that is presented to you.

Being open-minded about practices like spitting on the street, smoking in public places, and disorganized queue systems is more significant. Chow down with chopsticks if you haven't already.