China Law Blog

In an earlier comment I had made on this blog I had suggested that the following "generic" advice also be considered (along with the good advice provided by the China Law Blog folks) regarding where to live and when to live there, and how best to live there, and what to do and what not to do in various places and contexts. The first non-humble, humble suggestion I had made was this very simple one:

"Don't be too stubborn and try to stick it out no matter what"...and if Jing Jing starts to pack too much heat, get out"

Now it's true that Jing Jing was probably only warming up after a not so productive hibernation and will soon cool down again and I also DO understand that some people have chosen to make China their lifetime career or are already up to their ears in some of the more crappy- muddy quick sands.

But given that we all only go around once, there comes a time in every man's life (and also in every woman's) once in a while to ask oneself what "other lives" might be available out there that could be just as exciting, or even more so....and also maybe end up making one a lot more money while also being a heck of a lot more fun. Not an altogether stupid question to ask oneself at least once in a while right?

And since Portuguese is a whole lot easier to learn than Chinese and the Brazilians are a heck of a lot more friendly and outgoing and genuine and fun ...and since you also wouldn't have to worry about all that democracy versus dictatorship stuff anymore since Lula is definitely democratic and the days of dictatorship are fully over...might it be worth considering moving to Brazil?

I know it's not quite as big or as populous a country but it still ranks right up there with the biggies and it's also got about as many states and climates and cultures to choose from, as China has got provinces. And even the Mato Groso is a really cool place.

And the visas are also much easier to get and the immigration and customs people all smile more. So did you ever think about moving from Shanghai to Sao Paulo to start selling bio fuels to the U.S.? (or maybe something else a bit less hare-brained?)

And then there is also the fundamental principle of diversification. (and self-diversification)

You wouldn't ever think of putting all of your hard earned eggs in just one single basket would you? Nor would you really want to be a mono-culture country. (Unless your main crop was banks, like Switzerland in which case it might be o.k.) (Though UBS now may be proving even that one wrong)

The more flexible one is and the more one is able to speak more and more languages and live comfortably and at ease with oneself and inside of one's skin in more and more places and cultures the less one has to hassle with the obnoxious idiosyncracies of any single place. (And most places sooner or later have got plenty).....

So go out there and "diversify" your personality, yours skills, your navigational skills, your self, and your options and forget about whether China wants to give you a god forsaken (though the D word would fit much better) visa or not.

If it gives you one fine. If it starts to get too hard just tell them where to get off and go somewhere else. It's called the law of supply and demand and it's what makes every single market known to man or woman work best. And it's also called "market competition for critical skills human resources". (if you think you've really got any "critical skills" that is, other than hustling up some sort of a life)

And so is all of this stuff above meant to be a wise-crack out of some kind of a wise guy...or is it genuine wisdom in sheep's clothing meant to be taken seriously?

This one I will have to leave up to you to decipher and decide but I think I have made it plain where I happen to stand. (or maybe fall)

And so good luck to everyone in getting their brand new Brazilian visas and with learning how to "falar Portugues muito rapido" and please do say Hi to Lula for me when you land over there in Sao Paulo.

And if you strike it rich or have the time of your life please don't forget to have a good thought for World-Weary Worldly Robert....(e obrigado voce!)