This weekend felt like a whirlwind and went by too quickly. Obviously. Last two weeks, Monday was a Holiday so now that we are back on 2 Day Weekends instead of 3… the weekend felt too fast. I’m absolutely knackered. Like in a soul-affecting, body-crushing way. I honestly think I could sleep for the next three days straight. Of course, I can’t. Not that I have ultimately greatly pressing issues but if I wasn’t awake and present for Chinese Orders, then there would be hell to pay. eye roll. This… isn’t Private Practice. Private Practice Attorneys are not at the absolute beck and call of their clients at all times. Most American Private Attorneys have it established with their clients that there are Business Hours and Relative Professional Expectations. When I spoke to Chinese Boss about this, she rejected the idea. That isn’t the Chinese Way. The Chinese Way is if you have a client, you do whatever is necessary to make that client happy. If they want to call you at 11 p.m. to discuss their case, you remind them that it costs them money and you have that conversation. Troubling since I would far prefer structure and life/work balance as opposed to Chaos and Always Work.

Items From a Westerner in Chinese Company Article

• In Western companies, there are certain rules which dictate the way things are done, and lawyers usually play a big part in negotiations. In China, the rules of the game are based on personal relations, or “guanxi,” and doing things by the book won’t work as well as doing things through your personal network.
• In the Chinese work environment, subordinates are expected to show respect to the senior manager. That means that they don’t disagree with their superior or criticize him, at least not directly and publicly.
• To avoid the loss of face, problems are usually not brought up with the manager or even a client. Instead they are ignored in the hope they may go away, or a creative workaround may be found – without communicating the deviation from the plan.
• Management in China needs to be much more “in the weeds” to stay on top of the hidden problems or workarounds. You have to ask very specific questions and closely follow how work is actually done, otherwise you might find yourself with results based on a faulty workaround. The problem is that you don’t know what your don’t know.

MEANWHILE, there is another item called “Chinese Culture in a Western Environment” that is also unique
- While some Chinese companies appreciate “cha du bo” or (good enough), the transition to Capitalist Competitiveness often erases the concept from a Chinese Manager. In an American working environment where Chinese culture is controlling, “good enough” is never good enough. Perfection is expected, demanded, as it connects to Saving Face.
- In fact, it seems that gunaxi and saving face control more than any other aspect. This makes a significant cultural and historic form of sense as in a new Capitalist or Democratic environment, the long history of China will control more than the recent Cultural Revolution. Thus saving face and investing in business relationships become the primary guiding factors.

Well, I know I’m an ass but… GIVE ME AMERICA. Yeah, lawyers in my position at American Firms may be required to work 12 hour days and every Saturday… but the environments tend to be more structured, from what I hear. You’re given cases and feedback.

BUT… perhaps best news out of the weekend (trying to pivot from staring into the Abyss of working for the Chinese while trying to be a proud American fighting against the current Trump/GOP bullshit....................................

Cedar Rapids Job Interviewing Person finally responded to my request for “What Can I Do Better Next Time?”

“I certainly understand your disappointment in not getting the call you had hoped for. It wasn’t as though I didn’t think you were qualified for the position. Your experience and credentials are exceptional and you were one of our top candidates. We had forty applicants and you were near the top of our list.

I don’t doubt your sincerity in wanting to return to prosecution. My advice is to not give up. We have many assistants in our office who did not get hired the first time they applied for the job. I know of a couple who were hired after going through the process several times.

We may have another position open at the end of the calendar year. I hope you are still interested, apply again, and perhaps things might work out differently the next time. I’ll keep you in mind and remember how eager you are to get back in our profession. “

So… yeah. I’m not shit (why is that so hard for me to remember? Honestly?!) and there may be opportunities in the future. I guess… especially of late, and this is using my father’s words.... several shitty years in a row isn’t fair, God seems especially keen on struggle with (me and Wife) and I wish it was all taken care of already.

I do hope they offer a position again towards the end of the calendar year. I mean… I would love if I had a prosecutor job before then but… the proximity to In Laws, the proximity to Best Friend, the type of city it is… seriously? That is my golden apple. I’d rather work there than here. Wife may roll her eyes and panic a bit because we’ve never lived in that town (and she prefers the familiar even more than I do) but… I sincerely think it is a better fit. STILL over 50,000 (which is what wife wanted) while being HALF the size of Des Moines. Still over 100,000 while being half the size of des moines for that matter. Just… yeah. I suppose… fingers perpetually crossed that something works out.

Last updated January 08, 2018