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Posts: 2531

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Q: Have you ever had to bribe anyone in China for something?

Personally, I haven't had to do this but I have had to use guanxi here or there to get lower prices, speed things up or for medical reasons. This is usually my wife's guanxi because she teaches the kids of the richest and most connected parents in the city. Many of them have passed their IELTS and studying in Canada, Australia, U.S. and U.K. We are in like a tier 4-5 city, so this actually means quite a bit because competent people or establishments are hard to find. 

 

I think my Chinese family had to bribe some military hospital doctor once to made sure he didn't do a crap job on my uncle. Many Chinese friends offer to help me get lower prices on things like apartments, cars or whatever. I always turned them down but I understand now why SOME of them offer these things. Because they will take from you in return, they will invite you to dinners or grand openings of their business for show. "Look we got a foreigner!" kind of deal and they do feel a bit guilty about it and want to give something back. This is just how most Chinese are...

 

However, sometimes you run into situations with the police or government and instead of making a huge fuss, you quietly offer them something nice, they take it and the problem is gone. Yeah, it is corruption but China is China right? 

 

I am certain my American buddy has bribed the cops. The idiot got into accidents like three times... two were totally his fault because he was high on cough syrup. But yet... he recently bought a new Ford and continues to drive around without worry... I am 100% certain he bribed somebody... so have you?

9 years 1 week ago in  Culture - China

 
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When you supply products to some of the worlds larger companies they hire an international inspection company to make sure its what its supposed to be and then its released for shipment.

Well this company is also involved in many other businesses and didnt know the factory was foreign owned. They thought the foreigners where like a middle man and they tried to buy the peoducts directly from the factory. They where told to fuck off and that the white dudes own the factory and they were pissed. Super pissed. So pissed that we magically stopped passing inspections. After running in circles and getting no where we decided a bribe was in order. Our first bribe. We where backed up dozens of containers. .. Yeah it didnt go well. They reported us to the customer. Poop.

We copped to it and explained that it was the only way. They wanted product and let it slide. After an investigation on their end we suddenly started passing again. No bribes ever. Not worth it.

Robk:

Yeah, they don't like it too much when you tell them a black guy or a white guy can do more than look pretty in a class room and teach English.

 

Even my latest trial Chinese client tried to pull one of those "look at me in a meeting with a white guy so that means I am important" bull shit. I try not to work with Chinese because of this... .

9 years 1 week ago
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9 years 1 week ago
 
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Yeah, I am answering my own question. So what... I forgot I actually did bribe someone for something in China.

 

I ran into a bad establishment when I was an ESL teacher and the assholes wouldn't stamp the release letter so I could pick up and move on. So I bribed one of the workers to get me a clear mark of the stamp on a paper. I brought it to a stamp maker and he forged some documents. I screwed the over the shabby school and I am proud of it. Screw them before they screw you!

icnif77:

'Call SAFEA' is my 'bribe'.

9 years 1 week ago
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9 years 1 week ago
 
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Even if I did I wouldn't tell you or anyone else.

Robk:

Haha, I don't think they monitor these boards. And even if they do, just leave it vague and bribe them if they come asking questions.

9 years 1 week ago
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dongbeiren:

Yea agreed, admitting to illegal activity on ECC is not a great idea. The government either knows exactly who all of us are or could find out easily if they wanted to. 

9 years 1 week ago
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Eorthisio:

We both know that most if not every foreigners involved into running (managing) businesses both small and big in China have had to pay the toll in order to use the highway one day of another, as it makes some things much, MUCH easier and faster than taking the toll free country road that most people use.

9 years 1 week ago
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9 years 1 week ago
 
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Shifu

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No, and I pray for my soul the day I am faced with that kind of situation.

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9 years 1 week ago
 
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When you supply products to some of the worlds larger companies they hire an international inspection company to make sure its what its supposed to be and then its released for shipment.

Well this company is also involved in many other businesses and didnt know the factory was foreign owned. They thought the foreigners where like a middle man and they tried to buy the peoducts directly from the factory. They where told to fuck off and that the white dudes own the factory and they were pissed. Super pissed. So pissed that we magically stopped passing inspections. After running in circles and getting no where we decided a bribe was in order. Our first bribe. We where backed up dozens of containers. .. Yeah it didnt go well. They reported us to the customer. Poop.

We copped to it and explained that it was the only way. They wanted product and let it slide. After an investigation on their end we suddenly started passing again. No bribes ever. Not worth it.

Robk:

Yeah, they don't like it too much when you tell them a black guy or a white guy can do more than look pretty in a class room and teach English.

 

Even my latest trial Chinese client tried to pull one of those "look at me in a meeting with a white guy so that means I am important" bull shit. I try not to work with Chinese because of this... .

9 years 1 week ago
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9 years 1 week ago
 
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Shifu

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Ive heard of foreigners who have had to bribe fire and education officials to get their business up and running. Its probably the biggest expenditure. Business tax is low so as a foreigner can't complain too much. I'd just be angry if I was Chinese the money wasnt taxed instead.

The person I heard talking about this said thath the fire department made them build a fire door to make the school "safe". They "recommended" the contractor to do it. 80 000 rmb for a fire door that led nowhere.

Its the price of doing business and is non optional. You could not do business without bribing somebody. Unless your business is very small

Eorthisio:

Schools and training centers in China need to be accredited in order to recruit students, they can be accredited to recruit students living in the district, the city, the province, the whole country or worldwide.

 

Even if you want to put "Experimental" or "International" in your school's name you need an authorization from these guys. That's why most "International" schools in China are only international by name.

 

In most cases your accreditation depends on how much money you throw at the inspectors, now on how good your school actually is.

9 years 1 week ago
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There is one thing that annoys me about these gullible foreigners that comes over and think that their "holier art thou" riding their high horse methods are going to keep them pure and save their souls.

 

A lot of these "government servants" are paid really crappy salaries which is why the government is opting to push it higher to reduce corruption. But as it stands now, a lot only make like 3000-5000 RMB on paper. So, honestly, I don't blame them for wanting to get a head and taking bribes.

 

When you live in a broken system you got to make the most of it. Dokken is right, if you want to do business in China you have to grease some pockets in MOST cases or know somebody. You don't have to like it, but that's how they do things currently here.

sorrel:

as GKS and other multi-nationals found when they tried to play the local game

9 years 1 week ago
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Robk:

Yeah... they probably failed because they didn't bribe ALL the right people. If you leave out somebody you should not have... well... Chinese can be very vengeful.

 

 

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9 years 1 week ago
 
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No, I haven't.

 

And, if I was put in that situation, I'd video the whole thing surreptitiously, and turn it back on them.

 

Remember, I have one advantage they don't - I can leave!

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9 years 1 week ago
 
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Answer of the DayMORE >>
A:  "... through ..."?  Only "through" comes to mind is "S
A: "... through ..."?  Only "through" comes to mind is "Shenzhen agent can connect you with an employer, who's authorized to hire waigouren ... and can sponsor Z visa." It's not like every 10th person you meet in Shenzhen's hood can sponsor work visa ...  The only way to change from student to labourer visa is just a regular way by: 1. Finding an employer, who'll apply for an Invitation letter; 2. Exit China and apply for Z visa in your home country's Chinese embassy; 3. Enter China in 30-days after Z visa was stamped into your travelling instrument ...As I am aware, you won't be able to switch to Working permit by remaining in China....,so make ready for a return to your home .... -- icnif77