„Ok, you want the job? “ „If you like, you can think about it for a few days. “ „No, you don’t need time to think, you want it? Great, ok. “„When can you start? “ „Right now, you just have to go to town to buy a tooth brush and some soap? “ „Don’t you have any luggage? After all, you will be living here as well. “„Ah, you already brought a bag with clothes. “ „Well, good, see you later! “ And the job is filled.

One week earlier:

An employee hands in her notice unexpectedly (she pulls me aside and tells me that she is quitting). She wants to leave for another job – she doesn’t feel accepted in the team – and gives us three days before she will pack. On top of that, at the end of last season, we had let go three of our waitresses and urgently need new staff.

Six days earlier:

We send a text message to all our friends and acquaintances in and around Yangshuo and inquire if anybody knows of someone who is looking for a job. We drive to town and put up a note „looking for a waitress” on Kelly’s cafe’s window. We ask several hotel and restaurant owners for advice and they all tell us about their problems of finding good staff.

They say that recruiting young, motivated people, who are willing to engage themselves and work hard, has become difficult. Many already walk away from their new positions after one day; they say it is too exhausting. They are simply overcharged with their new tasks. I recently asked a successful, young Chinese lady from the capital what her birthday wish was. “To sleep for a whole day!” was the answer of this typically drained woman. The Chinese generation of the communism with its demand to relentless performance, is outdated. You can still see them bowed over in the rice fields or with a heavy yoke over their shoulders on a building site; their children watch them. The parents pay for their education, their career, their health service, their wedding and their new house. The youngsters in their turn want to partake on the world’s fun. They grew up during the economical boom. Leisure time, fair salaries, access to modern recreation facilities are some of their requests. Many want to start out as a manager. To begin a career washing plates, as the cliché in the old Hollywood movies shows us, is only for very innovative, visionary people.

One day earlier:

Kelly calls us. Two young ladies have asked her for a job. Kelly only needs one new waitress, but the two friends will only accept a new position if they can stay together. Would we be able to take both of them? She gives us their phone numbers; we call immediately and invite them to an interview.

The interview:

The two 19 year old girls – fresh from school – arrive right on time at 2 p.m. We introduce ourselves and the Outside Inn and let Wendy talk a few words about our expectations, the working conditions and the job description. Our waitresses work in a shift system, about ten hours a day. For about 4 of them, the restaurant is reasonably quiet and allows them to spend time reading and studying. They also get three hours resting time during the afternoons. In the winter, they get nearly two months paid holidays and during the remaining ten months, another 30 days off. Also their salaries are, for local standards, good. The trial period is like in Switzerland three months. Notice time doesn’t exist. Most of the employees live here at the hotel, they get a room (some of them share) and three meals a day, they are allowed to use the Inn’s scooter, have a washing machine and a TV.

We are looking for engaged, innovative employees who like to work here. Something that also our guests can sense.

On the same day, the two move in. We now have five new staff and the team seems to be great. Nevertheless, there is always cause for trouble. After all, we all live together as well as work together. It’s really no surprise at all. “She never cleans the bathroom!” or „She talks all night on her phone. “ There is always some fault to find in your room mates. Human relationships seem to be alike everywhere in the world. Often it would be useful to know more Chinese, yet sometimes, not understanding is bliss.

And at all times, the often quoted proverb of our boss (I was told it was originally said by JF Kennedy) is proving true: “It’s never as good as it seems, but also never as bad as it seems.”

A few months earlier:

„Several times over the last few months we have been meeting and each time we explained to you what your job entails and what we expect from you. Only two weeks ago I gave you a last warning to start working better, actually to start working instead of sitting around all the time. With your behaviour you truly show that you don’t want to be here.” „We are not happy with your performance.” „What do you say? “ „Ah, ok, you have nothing to say to that. “ “We will pay your salary for another month, but you are free to leave immediately.” “That’s what you want? You have wondered when we finally tell you to leave? Ah. Ok. “„So, all the best, here is your money. “ And they pack and the next morning all three of them are gone.