Greed, guanxi or ignorance?

[Scoobyqueen]

If I was your prospective customer

It is thankfully "only" a supplier. I have created this position for him and I am not planning to employ anyone else.

[xiaocai]

I am not very sure how your relationship is with your business partner, but if the student finds other internship by himself after you've rejected him and the deal is just slightly better than what your company can offer and imron's strategy may not work as well in terms of improving the 关系, since your partner will lose face in front of the student and his father in this case... And bear in mind that your contact may be hearing a different story from the student (and his father of course:mrgreen:) as well so you have to be extra careful on wording if really want to go that way.

But I'd agree with what gougou said and I think it is also important for your business partner to respect the values of your company as well.

[Scoobyqueen]

On reflection, the arrogant attitude at the interview (ask MD rather than personnel) plus a couple of other incidents not posted here would be enough basis for a normal applicant not to get the job. The way one goes about the rejection is tricky and I am grateful for the avenues provided here.

On a side note: In many instances, applicants (unfortunately) dont get to hear the real reasons why they didnt get a job.

[xiaocai]

If this is how things work in Germany, you might as well just tell your partner straight away what you think and what you've done. No one gets specially treatment just because your father is a government official or whatsoever. I think it is better that your partner can respect your culture and does not deal with your company the same way he/she does to other Chinese companies.

[renzhe]

One thousand Euros per month isn't enough to do a lot of nightclubing in Berlin or Munich.

Many students in Germany write their entire PhD thesis for several years on that much.

It's not unusual.

[gato]

One thousand Euros per month isn't enough to do a lot of nightclubing in Berlin or Munich.

Many students in Germany write their entire PhD thesis for several years on that much.

It's not unusual.

But how much nightclubbing are they doing while writing their thesis on such a pittance? Bet you not that much. Or at least not at the more fashionable places that our OP's potential intern might be accustomed to.

[Scoobyqueen]

Many students in Germany write their entire PhD thesis for several years on that much.

And that's probably around the same as people on the dole in Germany ("Harz 4") the rate being around 12 Euros a day, in addition to having their rent paid.

[renzhe]

I thought that the dole was around 400 Euro, and you were forced to work for 1 Euro per hour for the rest?

But I haven't checked in a while. I remember it being something inhuman.

[chrix]

http://www.sozialleistungen.info/con/hartz-iv-4-alg-ii-2/alg-ii-leistungen.html

It's going through the courts right now, though, as the statistical basis for the rates has been challenged...

[Scoobyqueen]

I think it equates to roughly 12 Euros a day. A packet of cigarettes cost around 4-5 Euros though (I think this is how some argue how unfair it is)

[chrix]

I think the argument was that they tweaked the statistics so that would never have to raise the rates. They would assume things such as factoring in people on the dole taking flying lessons or buying fur coats.

But the biggest problem was treating children on the dole like small adults, so they'd end up with no money for say textbooks but for cigarettes...

(DISCLAIMER: I didn't follow the details closely, so don't take my word on it. When the courts decide, it will be on the headlines, unless we have a minister-resignation fest like today)

[abcdefg]

Greed, guanxi or ignorance?

I would only add the observation that these three states are not mutually exclusive.

[adrianlondon]

Germany is well known for poor rates of pay for interns. Can't change a whole country's philosophy to suit the son of a Chinese govt official. I think Imron's come up with the best advice. Not only is it just about true, it's very diplomatic and should keep everyone happy; even the son who no doubt doesn't really want to work anyway, just sit around in cafes and restaurants spending his Dad's money.

Oh, and someone asked if guanxi was different to how people work in other countries. In England we have what's still probably called the "old boy's network". I got a year's internship during my degree (paid quite well - I'm not German haha) because my Dad used to work with someone high up at this company. The difference is ... I was given preference compared to other people with identical experience/qualifications. There was no--one better than me who applied, but probably a few who were very similar. Guanxi ignores this, and you'll get a job with good guanxi even if there are better applicants.

[outcast]

Question, does anyone see this situation ever changing in China, or will it remain a hopeless trap of corruption and incompetence for all time?

[jbradfor]

I'm a bit late to this (blame thanksgiving break and no internet access for 5 days! Oh the horror!), but I'd like to offer another possibility.

What if this was actually a request for a (reverse) kickback?

That is, your supplier was requesting some extra money by asking a relative / "important person" to be paid far above the market rate.