Return or not – Are we so different ?

People would agree that it’s all about personal preferences and choices that some of us stayed abroad and some of us returned to China. We would probably agree that the majority of us stayed.  The questions here are why the majority stayed? And are we so different from those who returned?

Let’s leave all the patriotic talk out for now because people may interpret patriotism so differently.

Let’s talk about the major factors that may affect our decision. I can think of four here: Politic/Social system, Economical concern, Environmental concern, and Cultural comfort. People may place their token more on one factor over another, but on average let’s assume the 4 factors will be balanced out to equal importance.

We will probably all give the edge to China for cultural comfort, which is simple and done.

The dominant majority will probably give the edge to the West for economical and environmental concerns, with very little to debate about.

The key factor here is the political and social system that may make all the difference, because it could also change the economical out come if used properly.

I was on the phone this past weekend with my cousin who had recently returned to Shanghai. She spoke in favour of those beneficiaries of the system that ‘they ONLY have closer and easier access to the resources, but they work hard.’ The conversation stopped right there. What an ‘only’, which could make all the difference. And I know that my cousin is in the ONLY group now.

Let’s answer the question: are we so different from those who returned?

No, we are not. Even toward the political and social system of China, most of all us would agree that China doesn’t have the edge in this regard. But somehow, many of those who returned know, and/or are good at how, or at least willing to take a risk to take advantages  of the system to work for them at the economical and financial end, and many did successfully.

The majority of us, who don’t know, who are not good at how, or who don't want to take advantages of the system in China, therefore stayed simply because the score is a no brainer 3 to 1 in favour of where we are. 

Having said all that, I take my hat off to those who returned to China for either pure patriotism, or for their guts of ‘whatever it will take’.

I also of course cheer with you who stayed to live an ordinary life here.