Observations about the Workplace

One of the things that I have noticed about the Chinese workforce, whether culturally or simply system-wise, is that people are uncomfortable by themselves. Unlike the U.S., where cubicle spaces are seen as the lowest of the low, I found that a majority of Chinese people seem uncomfortable with the idea of being left alone by themselves. While indeed, people of high positions get their own offices, or at the very least share it with one other individual, there is always a mild comfort in the company of another person. Since the original water cooler must be cleaned on a monthly basis (as it grows this weird algae), as an office, they unanimously decided to simply use a water kettle instead. The legal staff, however, takes this as an opportunity to enter the “cubicle” area, where they refill their cups with water and then engage in conversation. The conversation is never anything surprising, the usual talk of the weather or asking about a case, or simply questions about their families’ welfare, but I always find it interesting that they would go out of their ways to do this.

Indeed, I believe this is in large part the reason why a lot of interns have little to do, at least in a law firm. The traditional photo copies and refilling of coffee responsibilities for the intern have been of no demand or little use, as it would take away from the little social interaction that these individuals have with one another. Instead, it is an excuse to walk around, move their legs, communicate with one another, and have something to do in the office other than work all day.
The work efficiency of the average Chinese is surprisingly rather low. I mean, indeed, some people do not care at all, but the overall business in itself does not demand much from them. While I always feel like there is overstaffing in any company, store, or firm, I think this is in large part due to the population size. The government needs to find a way of keeping these people employed, but as a result, the tasks have been divvied up in such a manner that each individual in reality has very little to do. Unfortunately, this system only creates clutter and limits the total efficiency of their workforce.

For example, I went to a skincare franchise called “It’s Skin,” and the store was probably only about the size of my bedroom. However, the store itself was empty of customers, but had 7 employees at its disposal. As soon as you walk in, half of them flock around you, because there is so little to do. As soon as we left though, I discovered that most of these employees turned back around and returned to trying out the sample products on display intended for customers. From a business perspective, I would not hire that many useless people. But in China, wages are so cheap, and in the Chinese mindset, the more the merrier. It is not a matter of efficiency, but the demands of the market as well as the Chinese culture of “face.” It definitely sounds better to say that I have ten employees as opposed to having only three in your store, even though the ten work about the same as three people.

I suppose in this sense, most of us, at least American interns, feel pretty useless. For me, I feel completely useless most of the time, because I am not even given clerical work to busy myself with the time. On occasion, there is some, but the firm is so over-employed at times, that even the clerical work is snatched up so that they are not bored out of their minds. The lawyer’s desk that I sat in came in yesterday, but had absolutely nothing to do. Without a computer on his desk, he merely read the newspaper and walked around the office to talk to people. Since it was his “down time” per se from cases, his lack of a task merely meant show up to the office for about an hour, and deeming it pointless, he left early at about 2:00 p.m. I suppose this is simply with law firms, as I have yet to hear this kind of freedom to leave work whenever you want from other jobs. I guess it just goes with the territory. The more you put in to achieve the license to practice, the less you will have to work as a result of that initial effort.