Great expat-ations: Franck Crouvezier,43, French/Australian

(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-10-20 13:10

Name:

Franck Crouvezier

Age: 43

Nationality: French / Australian

Time spent in China: 4 years

Why China?

Well, life made that choice for me. I moved here from Hong Kong. I was then looking for a job when I met my current boss and, I thought we could work well together.

Also at the time the challenge of moving here was interesting even though I once again was leaving all my friends behind. In fact I was looking for a new challenge, but without the intense pressure of the Hong Kong life.

What are you doing now?

I am the general manager of Kathleens5 Restaurant and Lounge in the Center of People Square in Shanghai. I started working focusing at the service restaurant, finding a good executive chef.

These days I focus more on back operation and events management. About 35 percent of the staff can speak some English, so I spend much time trying to let them understand me.

How many languages do you speak?

French, English and Chinese. My Chinese is very poor, though I understand the language better than I speak. It's frustrating to find enough time to learn as well as distinguishing the four tones. But I'm not giving up and I'm getting back into it next week with a tutor. Let's hope for some improvement.

Are you in a relationship?

No, yet I'm willing to be in a relationship.

Food?

The restaurant feeds me from the "a la carte" items, which are mostly Western food. But I try to get some Chinese food everyday.

I have realized over the years that I could not survive without food from both cultures. I need to have my rice and my French fries as well.

I like a variety of food, from Sichuan style, Shanghai food and Cantonese dim sum, to newly opened Western concept restaurants. It depends on whom I go out with.

My favorites are Sichuan spicy chicken and Peking duck. But no chicken feet.

Are you happy with the money you are making and saving?

I can't complain really, I wouldn't probably get the same pay back home. The money I can save is very good, you can probably save around two to three times the amount you could do at home. There is always plus and minus and considering my recent change in life, things so far are still on the plus.

How do you see your future in China?

Let's just say I intend to be here for four more years and we will see what will happen next. Most likely I will not be staying in China.

It is a country quite different from other countries.

I probably will get back to Australia but I'm also scared to find that Australia is too quiet now.