Enjoy life beyond work By Li Shuo (Beijing Weekend) Updated: 2004-10-16 16:06
How do Chinese gold-collar personnel enjoy their time off work?
Rumour has it they go to jazz bars, drink lattes, and enjoy a bottle of red
wine during their western style meals in western style restaurants. They are
professionally dressed during office hours, and shine through their appearance
at commercial gatherings.
So what do the definitive gold-collar employees do during their times of
leisure?
Where do they shop?
Wang Haiyun, senior membership director at the Capital Club, says she
actually has little opportunity to shop in Beijing.
She prefers the top department stores in the China World Trade Centre,
Beijing Lufthansa Shopping Centre, Scitech Tower, and Oriental Plaza.
"I do not have much time to comb through these stores, and I often feel I
cannot find what I really want in Beijing."
Many of her clothes are bought outside the Chinese mainland. "In Europe,
America, Singapore, and Hong Kong, I buy many clothes. Although the prices are a
little high, I find what I want, and it is a lot of fun!"
What are their hobbies?
Wang loves to attend ballet and aerobic gymnastic classes to keep her body
nimble and relaxed.
She loves swimming, and sometimes plays squash. She despises any gym
equipment.
Tang Chaoyang, a senior manager with a technical company, located in
Zhongguancun, Haidian District, said he likes playing basketball and badminton.
His favourite cognitive game is chess.
Sun Dayuan, deputy executive of Eastern Huibo Co Ltd, adores many outdoor
sports such as golf. To escape the tension of a working week, he makes time to
sleep at least half a day.
Which clubs do they go to?
Joining clubs to associate with gold-collar peers is the essential
gold-collar lifestyle trend.
Clubs are enjoying a rapid growth in China, even though they appeared only a
decade ago.
There are several top clubs offering international class service, the
preferred gold-collar choice.
The Capital Club is one of the best known and respected. It is a joint
venture between ClubCorp International and China International Trust and
Investment Corporation (CITIC).
Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, Capital Club boasts a regular
1,200 members, all elite people in high society.
Other clubs competing for international attention are the Chang An Club, The
China Club, and the Beijing American Club.
Where and how do they travel?
Travel is an everyday pastime for the gold-collar class. It is said that one
third of their working time is spent on travelling, be it for business or
personal getaways.
Wang Haiyun is a steady fan of the travelling perks.
"I spend all my holidays travelling overseas," Wang said.
She never joins a travel group. "I don't feel free participating with a team
of travellers. I prefer to travel alone or with family or friends. I book
tickets and accommodation in hotels myself and go wherever I wish."
Do they enjoy their family life?
Gold-collar class treasure their family life, despite the time they spend
working.
Sun Dayuan manages to allocate one full day to be with his family.
"I believe the most successful businessman is not a pure workaholic. Life is
not complete without enjoying your family," Sun said.
"No matter what I pursue, how high I aim, it would mean nothing if I did not
share what I achieve with those I love - seeing my parents, accompanying my
wife, and assisting with educating my child," Sun said.
"Although I cannot spend as much time with them as I would like, I make the
best of every moment, to communicate with them and show my care and concern for
them."
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