Hahaha!! This brings back many memories, and is quite common not only in China, but throughout South East Asia, especially in Korea, Japan, Vietnam. I've found that it's basically a language thing, even though you are talking to a person that speaks/reads English well, they are often completly lost understanding the content of what is being said to them. Being proud Asians, they will not admit that they haven't understood you, and often nod the head as if to indicate they understand.
Having been caught out too many times with this head nodding, i no-longer take it for granted as ''understood'' and will emphasis my meaning till i'm satisfied they ''Have'' understood. When you hear, a long Arrrhhhhhhhhhhhhh!! you can be pretty certain the penny has dropped!! ...haha!!
Organisational skills, ...Yes, again i agree!! They can quite often add one or two levels to a simple tasks. I'm sure it's because they want to get things right the first time, and not to lose face in front of a foreigner or the Boss. Also, if it involves money, ....in this part of the world it requires god knows how many signatures before anything is set in concrete. There not used to doing anything quickly at the best of times, which can be bloody frustrating to the Western way of doing things..... Even more frustrating, you can't rush them either, if you try, it takes even longer to get something done!! ...lol!!
David.....
