Magazine_October_2023

NONSTOP TRAVEL
MENNO, WAYNE, YOURI, JACK & ALLEN - CHINA
We meet again in China
travel
Team Shanghai
Team Fusheng
Team Zhxing Fruits
How people in China greet
CHINA
After a long period of travel restrictions
due to the coronavirus pandemic, in 2023
we were once again able to travel freely
to China. During the pandemic, access
to China ranged from highly restricted to
virtually banned. The last trip for us was in
the first quarter of 2020.
Given that we have been doing a lot of business with China for over
10 years now, it was strange not to see our partners face to face for so
long and only see them on a video screen. So as soon as the borders
opened up (without quarantine requirements on either side) we did not
hesitate and went out to visit our partners straight away.
Trips were planned from Beijing to Guangzhou, from Shanghai to Guiyang
and to many places in between. Aartsen has distribution in more than
25 cities in China.
In Shanghai, we visited both our biggest partners (who we have been doing business
with for over 10 years) and potential new clients which can provide us with
opportunities to diversify even more within our sales channels in China. Examples of
potential future sales opportunities include wholesale, online through social media,
processing, sales in second and third-tier cities and retail. As well as the visits to
clients, we enjoyed dinner with the owners of the wholesaler Huizhan and a number
of fellow professionals, colleague competitors and partners, where we discussed a
wide range of topics.
A while later, we visited our partners in southern China. That was from where,
almost 12 years ago, we shipped our first containers. After a long period of
meeting online, it was great to strengthen ties over a couple of good diners.
There was much talk of old times, but also much anticipation of the future.
Together, we must remain future-proof and, as we often say here at Aartsen,
we do not like to sit still. We must look to the future and always move with the market.
We are stronger together, and even if we are sometimes in competition with each other,
the conclusion was that well-run businesses also have a lot in common. We drank to
this many times and looked to the future.
"wai" or "joi"
In China, greeting is an important part of
the culture and is done with care.
A common greeting involves bowing or
nodding the head, especially in more formal
situations. A unique greeting in China is the
"wai" or "joi," where individuals place their
palms together, similar to a prayer gesture,
and make a slight bow.
This greeting is often used to show respect
and is especially used between people of
higher social status and elders.
The manner of greeting can vary depending
on the region and the relationship between
the individuals greeting each other.
It's always a good idea to respect and follow
the customs of the specific region or culture.
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