Travel to China - What should I know? How should I prepare?

[Wes Bucey]

In Reply to Parent Post by Phil Fields

I will be traveling to China (Suzhou) January 2 through January 8. My self and one of our Manufacturing Engineers will be traveling to a sister company. Our sister company will be making pressure vessels for our company.
Production is set to start soon, we need to be sure the start up issues are minimized and that there are no capacity issues
This will be my 1st trip, looking forward to trip, not so sure about the long flight though.

Phil

Re: travel
Aircraft cabins are notoriously dry (low humidity, NOT absence of alcoholic beverages!) Keep hydrated (go low on alcohol - it dries one out.) Make every effort to get up from time to time to walk up and down the cabin aisle to prevent leg circulation problems and subsequent swelling or cramps. Of course, keeping hydrated helps that out by requiring frequent trips to the toilet

Re: Things to watch for in the "approval tour."

1. How much work are they doing now? How many workers? How many shifts? Can they ramp up to meet your production needs? How much training will new workers need? Who will affirm the training produces competent workers?
2. Is the capital equipment sufficient in capacity and [seeming] repair to add your work flow without stressing machines or maintenance schedules? (or requiring a large amount of new machinery?)
3. Watch the in-process inspection and finished product inspection closely - do the instruments seem like the ones you'd expect to see in ANY well-run company?
4. Do the workers and inspectors seem competent and efficient or is there a lot of hesitation and head-scratching resulting in starts and stops on the work flow?
5. Do the workers smile a lot as they go about their tasks or do they have stony countenances which might suggest they are under stress?
6. Have you arranged for some random samples of the current product line to check against the design specs to assure yourself they build product according to a customer's specifications? (it's no guarantee, but at least you will know they had competence to build one similar product according to specs.)

[timference]

Hey fellow Covers,

I am planning my first trip to our two plants in China, and am a tad nervous. I'd appreciate hearing form any of you who have been there and done that, especially from women who have been there.

My need for education involves:
1. Personal safety
2. Local customs (tipping/no tipping, eye contact, male-female roles etc)
3. Adapting to local foods and sanitation (Western bathrooms are not available at either plant)
4. Tips for surviving the flight and resetting your internal clock
5. Immunizations: if optional, do you get them or not?
6. Any learning experiences that could help a rooky

Thanks!
__________________
Rosie A
Warrior Goddess of Quality

Rosie,

I have been to China many many times so I tell you this from experience. I have traveled there at least 40 times and stayed there for a six month period to prepare for a major product launch. To answer your questions:

1. Personal safety depends on what part of the country you are going to. Really not to much to worry about as long as you stay in the areas that cater to westerners. For instance, in Shanghai, not too much to worry about. Just stay on the main roads. Also, if you are going to out anywhere, tyalk to your conceige at the hotel. He will ensure you get a good taxi and give you some safety tips. Normally you will have a host with you and they will take you anywhere you want to go at any time you want to get there. That's your best bet because they can also help you with translating.

2. Local customs also vary by region but here are a few. Tipping most likely is not necessary unless you are in a truly western resteraunt. However I would tip the bellboy for sure. He can give you lots of information and if you do tip, he will always make you a priority. a dollar or two goes a long way. They only exception is if you are in Hong Kong. They are very westernized because they were a British colony not too long ago. The women vs. men role is about the same as 1950's USA. but it is getting better. Just treat everybody the same and you be safe. Last on this subject, I agree with previous posters. Always try the food if the host asks. If there is something you just cannot handle or maybe are allergic too, just tell him before he orders.

3. Normally they will have a "VIP " bathroom that is western style. If not, good luck. The toliet is just basically a hole in the ground that you'll have to squat over. Rest assrured the hotel will have the correct bathroom. DO NOT DRINK THE WATER. I CANNOT STRESS ENOUGH. DON'T EVEN RINSE WITH IT AFTER BRUSHING All hotels will offer free bottled water and so will the plants you are visiting. Just make sure you are using the free water. The hotel will also put in premium water (like eveian) and once you open it your are charged. It is very expensive just like here. Some places charge 10.00 per bottle As far as the food. I enjoyed everything. If you are a picky eater, you may have trouble. But you will be suprised on the taste of the food if you try it. Most is good. The opnly thing I would not try was the chicken feet. They chew on them as an appititzer.

4. I suggest you rest on the flight there. You will more than likeley arrive at night in China. Try not to sleep the first night and gut it out until the next (local of coursre). After the first day you should be OK. It was actually worse for me on the way back. Because there is so much to do when you get ther there is no toime to be tired.

5. Don't worry about immunizations. I have traveled many times and with many people and no one I know has ever gotten sick. Unless you plan on hiking in the jungle or something. If you plan on staying in the city and away from farms and the like, you'll be fine.

6. Enjoy yourself and be open to new things. You need to realize that China is an emerging country. There are a lot of things done that make you think you've stepped back in time. Stay open minded. My wife went with me once and all she could think of was the assbackward way things are done. She closed heer mind and ended up not enjoying herself and coming back with negative instead of positive.

Finally make sure you go to an open market and shop. It's great and i hate shopping so there you go. Also take in the local sites. China is very old with a lot of things to see. If Beijing is in your plans, do not miss going to the Great Wall. Visit a few local temples for the sightseeing. If you go to Shanghai, be sure to go dowtown to the TV tpwer, Jin Mao building, etc.

Hopes this helps. Good luck and stay safe. Anything you want to know in detail, send email or right replay in post.

[CALYPSOHATER]

hello, Rosie OH Warrior Goddess of Quality ! You are in for the time of your life. My advise to you, is relax and enjoy the ride. The flight is very long and pretty brutal, that is if you are in coach, hahaaa. I assume you will be in 1st or Bus class, so its not so bad at all. When you get there you won't feel right for about 3 days and then it gets better. The real big one is when you return to the states (if your stay is short) because your body revolts and wants to know "hey what are you doing to me here?" when you return you wont feel totally right for about 30 days. At least thats the way it has always been for me and I've done it 15 times and it never gets any easier. I wish you the best and have fun with it, because it really can be a lot of fun. The first time I went to Asia, it was so great! I loved it and I did not want to come home. The weather was fantastic (I'm from NY) the ladies were so friendly, the beaches were very nice and I had the time of my life. Enjoy, miss Warrior Goddess of Quality.

[JLLASER]

I haven't seen anyone mention this yet, maybe because it applies only to Hong Kong SAR (afaik): Police that wear a red badge below the number on their shoulder speak English
I have never needed the police on any of my visits to Hong Kong, but I thought that was a useful bit of information, just in case.

[harry]

In Reply to Parent Post by Phil Fields

I will be traveling to China (Suzhou) January 2 through January 8. My self and one of our Manufacturing Engineers will be traveling to a sister company. Our sister company will be making pressure vessels for our company.
Production is set to start soon, we need to be sure the start up issues are minimized and that there are no capacity issues
This will be my 1st trip, looking forward to trip, not so sure about the long flight though.

Phil

Suzhou! Get in touch with Ajit.

[Ajit Basrur]

In Reply to Parent Post by Phil Fields

I will be traveling to China (Suzhou) January 2 through January 8. My self and one of our Manufacturing Engineers will be traveling to a sister company. Our sister company will be making pressure vessels for our company.
Production is set to start soon, we need to be sure the start up issues are minimized and that there are no capacity issues
This will be my 1st trip, looking forward to trip, not so sure about the long flight though.

Phil

Hi Phil,

Luckily I will be in Suzhou during that time (after long touring ).

Pl PM me your details and would be great to catch up with you

In Reply to Parent Post by harry

Suzhou! Get in touch with Ajit.

Thanks Harry

[Bob the QE]

Make copies of your passport, if for some reason your passport get's taken, stolen or lost you have a starting point. I practiced locking my passport up in my room when I arrived and I only carried a copy with me daily unless I was going from main land to Honk Kong or through airports. I had a bad experience with travelers checks my first visit, they didn't accept them. From then on everything went on my credit card and I always checked my card when it was returned to me as a partner had his switched at a bar and didn't realize until the next day. I also checked my hotel and card balance via email daily. I only stayed in hotels with high speed internet and ask for rooms facing the inside not the outside the traffic and horns never stops.
Besides that I love it over there, the food the sights and atmosphere.
Dont expect much just because someones QMS is registered, use your own eyes and if you suspect something isn't as it seems do not let the language be the barrier just approach it in the most polite and proffessional manner.

Enjoy

[prototyper]

Thanks to all for some excellent advice!
I am visiting China (Shanghai) for the first time on February 7th. It will be a lightning trip, 4 days including travel, to do one audit, but I'm really looking forward to the experience.