After you start to work with locals, you will discover :
Because salaries are still low, and if they have dependants, then of necessity, they need to supplement the income. Hence, at every chance they can get, feel justified to milk foreigners, since these are perceived to be the rich ones (education, health, police). Year end donations are commonplace
At work, they do not understand what is the role and how it impacts the organization; all they want is to do the minimal work possible and just get the pay at month end. At work, socialising and networking to build connections is more placed in priority
Hiring and firing is in hands of the HR and Labour Contract. HR is basic, non-professional and whimsical, tending to whether you 'like' a person or not (to get in good books, must bribe via make up kits, expensive chocolates, even wines etc). HR is powerful here, as senior management will not have time to recruit and so called train they will recommend their friends and engage training companies that give them some benefits
(Hey, that's the norm)
No accountability at work, can only perform narrowly within specialty, need others to 'finish' a piece of work together, if something goes wrong, then no one takes the rap (smart strategy?)
Hence, Western management styles cannot work here. Sooner or later, one needs to follow the flow.
Perspectives and Observations. of Culture
It's not only your observation actually!
Almost every expats had gone through similar situation.
When I come first time (2008) I got a part -time job as Communicative English Teacher at a language school in HCMC. I worked for $8 per hour till I got a permanent job in a new International Vocational School at Chi Linh city, Hai Duong province with a total monthly salary of 5000,000 + 1000,000 for phone, DA, and a spacious furnished room adjoining to my office as I was the Head of English department and English program Compiler-cum-Legal Adviser.
Within 3 months I finished compilation of programs and trained the Teachers of that school then escaped from there to my favorite city. Again I worked full time as Legal Adviser,English Teacher and Diamond Grader for one Korean company where I got my first salary: 4000,000 VND and final salary 7000,000 VND with food and accommodation. After that I worked for one University in Long An Province some months as a part time basis with my first remuneration, that is $8 ! Yeah, am very bad at 'negotiation' of salary. From these lessons and HCMC experience,I started 'home tuition' with my wife. It took nearly one year to clutch.Now our monthly salary is much better than our previous jobs. We don't want to stop in that. So started "Charma". Here, if possible, just do some business. No shout from boss, can arrange time and full support from 'officials'.
We cannot change people's habit all of a sudden. Survival-that must be the number 1 preference!
Ken Charma
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