I am working as a Field Application Engineer for a semiconductor company. What this means is that much of my work involves going to my company’s clients (other companies) and help them integrate our product into their products.  As such, much of my work is with “fellow” engineers from these other companies.

Since I am based in Shenzhen, which is next to Hong Kong, I support both Mainland China and Hong Kong companies. My first week here, and my visits to my first two “customers”, already gave me a peek into working-culture differences between these two similar-but-oh-so-different parts of China.

The first was a company in Hong Kong. My correspondence with them, before arriving at their offices, was with one of their engineers (who was responsible for a part of their system involving our product). On site, I had worked hand-in-hand with the same engineer in solving their problems. Later, when there was need for more information, he would contact me directly. When another engineer working on the project required assistance and/or information in his field of work, he too would contact us directly.

The second company was in Shenzhen, inside Mainland China - an aerial distance of maybe fifty kilometers from the Hong Kong company. Before arriving at their offices, I had been corresponding with their manager. When I got there, after exchanging a few pleasantries with Mr. Manager, I was immediately ushered to one of their engineers to assist him with their problems. The manager only reappeared one time, after we were done, to inquire what the problem had been.  Before leaving, I suggested to the engineer I’d leave him my contact details so he could contact me directly if he needs anything. He politely declined, said it is best if he routed all such requests through his manager. I then suggested if he would leave me his own email, so I can later send him more information that he needs. His reply, again, was that it is best if I only contact him through his manager.

After completing his MBA in Israel, my friend Fili is heading off to Taiwan to study for an international business PhD degree there. I’m certain he will bump many times into these aspects of the Chinese working culture and am eager to hear his observations…