Re: [tlug] OT: interesting NY times article:High-Tech Japanese, Running Out of Engineers

[Jim Grisanzio <Jim.Grisanzio@example.com>]

Edward Middleton wrote:
> Jim Grisanzio wrote:
> > When I came here I was told (rather sarcastically) that "most 
> > foreigners just leave after a couple of years" and considering how I 
> > have been treated so far I can see why. :)
>
> Do you ever talk to these people about your medium to long term 
> plans.  I found peoples attitude change a lot after I said I planned 
> to be here for the next 10 years.

I do, yes, and this is effective with some. I will, in fact, be here for 
at least 10 years.

> > It's interesting, though, I don't find these conversations taking 
> > place among my western colleagues in China. Not even close, actually. 
> > For all its faults (and there are many), China seems to be changing 
> > regarding this one issue while Japan remains utterly clueless about 
> > it. Generalizations, I realize.
>
> Do many western foreigners gain Chinese citizens and become fully 
> integrated into Chinese society?  I don't really see this happening in 
> Japan which is why I don't think I could retire here.

I don't know anyone in China who has been there for a decade, so I 
honestly couldn't say. I think full integration here in corporate Tokyo 
(for me, anyway) is not realistic, but outside the business environment 
here I'm treated very well and am quite happy. :) Wild times ...

Jim

--
http://blogs.sun.com/jimgris/