The third thing I learnt is: we shouldn’t be let down by negative details, but should rather appreciate the positives.

Some foreigners living in Fuzhou have their share of criticism towards their workplace and the behavior of people. Having worked in Fuzhou for two years, it is true that I saw many things as suboptimal and sometimes really disorganized. I could complain about the company food, the heating system, the rubbish on some roads… But those details are just what they are: details.

Fuzhou is really an easy place for a foreigner to live. The weather is not extreme, and the city is very safe and well located.

The social etiquette of Chinese companies is also very interesting to discover. Having a weekend outing with my colleagues, inviting children to the company for the Children Day and taking part in the corporate annual party were all new and incredibly interesting things to me.

The fourth thing I’ve learnt is: we should work hard

As an employee of a Fuzhou-based multinational company, I have to deal with a set of managers from different origins. Depending on where the manager comes from, they have a different leadership style. An American manager could be a charismatic leader who leads his/her team by fostering motivation amongst them. A European could win respect from their employees by possible proven knowledge and intelligence. A Chinese manager is often respected by the amount of work he/she delivers.

Hard work is highly valued in Fuzhou culture. This shows itself even in some other countries. For example, a large part of the growth of New York City’s Chinatown was fueled by the immigration of industrious workers from Fuzhou and nearby cities.

I have actually noticed that my colleagues indeed esteem diligence. Working hard is a duty towards your colleagues and your community, and it is especially true in a traditional society like China’s.

You may not be the brightest or the smartest, but industriousness will win you respect.

Working in Fuzhou has been a great experience. I understood many things from my colleagues and partners in Fuzhou, such as the importance of keeping things balanced and the role of relationships.

I also learnt that it is possible to reconcile true friendship with business partnership; which I was not convinced of before coming to China.

Francois is an engineer in the electricity power industry. He has lived in Fuzhou, Taiwan, Europe and the USA.

His hobbies include traveling, trying new things and meeting people from all walks of life. He is interested in sociology and philosophy and likes to record his experiences on video.