LEARNING CHINESE; HERE'S WHAT THE BUSINESS BOOKS WON'T TELL YOU.(Doing business in China)

Daily News Record, April, 2005 by Gavenas, Marilise

Byline: Marilise Gavenas

SHANGHAI -- Like lots of American kids, you probably tried tunneling your way to China -- digging yourself into a deep, deep hole before your parents discovered the mess in the backyard and ended the adventure. The idea was that if you could just get all the way through, you'd find a place where everything was going to be the exact opposite of boring old home. China would be just like your world. Only better. And upside down.

Now you're all grown up and the adult version of the adventure beckons. This time, the idea is that if you can just make it through 18 hours on a plane plus a few language difficulties, you'll be someplace the exact opposite of boring old home. With millions of new customers, a currency pegged to the...