Recent Changes in China (3)

by Tzy C. Peng 

Shopping

Although business is good with a lot of shoppers, yet customer service is
still inadequate and needs more improvement.  Some of the don't-care
attitudes from store clerks are the left-over mentality from the era where
government guaranteed the salary without any regard to customers. Many
stores, although no longer guaranteed by the State, are still State-Owned
or -Managed-Enterprises. Hence, the management style, though improved
from previous years, still has the idea that stores are there to serve the
State, not Customers. Having said all that, I must add that businesses,
run by entrepreneurs, are doing their best to attract and cater to
customers, especially at numerous roadside stands, souvenir shops, small
eating places and electronic stores. In fact, buyers should be beware so
as not to be lured into purchasing wrong merchandises, or things you don't
really need or want, and you must know how to bargain especially on hotel
costs (30-70 % discounts are available). So, market economy of supply and
demand is alive and well in China. You just have to know where to find 
them and how to deal with them. 

Book Stores

In cities, you can always find many bookstores, sometimes concentrated in
certain areas of the city.  There are small, medium and large bookstores.
Regardless of the size, from one-room to a multi-story building, there are
almost always crowded with potential buyers, especially young people, from
 teens to the 20 and 30 something. The kind of books that sell and attract
most attention are history, geography, foreign language, Chinese culture,
especially ancient ones, and philosophy of all kinds including, of course,
the Communist ideology.  I have been in several of these bookstores in
several cities. People in these bookstores are literally told to  leave
when it is the closing time. It suddenly occurred to me that how few
bookstores are in American shopping malls, how many American bookstores
are stocked with serious books other than novels and recreational/travel
types, and most importantly how many Americans are found on average in
American bookstores?  I couldn't help but wonder that what kind of long
term effect the lack of general interest on kind of books and bookstores
in the U.S., may bring to the America's future? On the other hand, the
Widespread public and/or school libraries in the U.S., are major cities
that brings  people to the books. In this sense, the future generation of
the U.S., are well provided. It is perhaps up to the parents, teachers,
and social elite to encourage, entice, and literally push young people of
America into these public and/or school libraries  

Tours  

In 1979, the word "Tour" has no meaning to ordinary people in China, and
is applicable only to foreigners on their vacations in China.  With rising
family income comes the ever-increasing tours for domestic customers.  In
2001, it is the government policy to encourage people to go on tour and to
spend their money so as to stimulate the growth of national economy
(sounds familiar?). In fact, the official policy declares 7-day holidays
to celebrate Chinese New Year, International Labor Day (May 1), and
National Day (October 1) to help people planning long-holiday vacations.
Numerous scenic and recreational parks, old and new, are being vigorously
developed all over China for touring purposes. I happened to be in China
for the International Labor Day holiday.  Most of airlines, trains and
tour-buses are sold out 5-7 days in advance before May 1. Returning
tickets are also sold out either before May 1 or 3 in year 2001.  Even if
you reach your destination, hotels of all sizes are likely to be fully
booked in advance.  Restaurants, recreational parks and even museums are
crowed with people during the holidays. 

(part 3 of 4, to be continued...)