One Night in Beijing – A “go west young man” kind of Optimism Emerges

On a recent trip to the greater China I was soothingly pleased with the happening Jazz scene at the Centro Bar for a Friday night.  A band from Boston was crooning sounds from Bossa Nova stars of yesteryear, to more recent hits such as  “Someone like You” from Adele.  It was my kind of scene, my ideal way to ease into a late Friday evening, so to speak.  And around me was an eclectic mix of Chinese, internationals, Europeans, and a wide breath of Americans from the Midwest, like me, from the south, my traveling companion, and some Californians who were all “groovin” on a Friday afternoon, whom we happened upon as they were kind enough to share their space near the band as my colleague and I sought the comfort of a lounge chair to cool our heels and for a chance to enjoy our Cuban stogies with some aperitifs.   Naturally after a week  from Guangzhou to Shanghai, it was  nice to relax, to hear some American – as regionally flavored as it was.  Our new acquaintances from California, self described surfer type dudes in their late twenties complete with pony tails,  as it turns out were hanging out with a friend from Brussels, who together were involved in producing old fashion furniture  for the Chinese market.  They had factories in India and southern China that produced the furniture, all made without any screws or nail, or any metal fasteners for that matter, ensuring a high quality fit, finish and originality many of us have probably not seen in the states for a while.  It strikes me that the “new” go west young man mantra is live and well, the quintessential America experience is embodied by these young people who had move from CA to Asia to create their version of the American Dream, creating a unique business for themselves, blending into the local culture and enriching themselves and those around them.  I am optimistic about our future, as long as people like those I met are making it happen, pioneering the next generation of businesses.