I was reading an article on trade policy recently that was
chock full of throwback China
stereotypes – one of them was that old chestnut about "Oriental
Patience," which is one of the classics.

I guess I had this rolling around my head as I got on the
elevator this morning. Guy in there next to me was mashing the "Close
Door" button repeatedly each time the elevator stopped. This seems to be a
near-ubiquitous habit here in the nation's capital.

Does this say anything about "Oriental
Patience"? Probably not, and I could be deliberately trying to manufacture
a topic here to justify yet another senseless and annoying blog post about
cultural differences. Mea culpa.

Or we could pretend this is an interesting issue. Good,
that's settled, and I will proceed.

I always wondered whether Westerners' perception of
patience in Asia was merely an observation of
a reaction to authority. Not sure where this particular stereotype first got
started, but if we go back to the personal and professional interaction between
foreigners and Chinese over the past 160+ years, you gotta think about the
power differential.

Perhaps this is a stereotype as well, but when I muse
about the 1840s, for example, I get these mental images of rich traders and
drunk sailors who could get away with pretty much whatever they wanted. If you
know that the guy arguing with you about his bar tab could probably beat the
crap out of you with no legal repercussions, chances are that you will be quite
agreeable, at least to the guy's face. Much better to find another way, perhaps
through a relationship, to get that debt paid rather than be confrontational.

The passive-aggressive personality (we've all experienced
this) usually crops up as an answer to a figure of authority. You can't fight
against the boss, but you can make life very uncomfortable for him. Revenge is
a dish best served cold – and all that.

Now, back on the elevator. My impatient friend from this
morning makes more sense now. Maybe there is no "Oriental Patience,"
just a particular strategy for dealing with authority that requires a modicum
of patience; also works for business negotiations where patience is often a
virtue. No authority figures on an elevator, and if the passenger wants that
darn door to shut right away, there is no reason not to indulge that impatience
and press that button.
 

If you're waiting for this post to end with some sage
advice on how to negotiate with a Chinese company, you should go elsewhere.
This was just me reporting on my early morning cogitating, nothing else,
certainly nothing profound or useful. I reserve the right, however, to blog in the future about whether there is an "Oriental Impatience".

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