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Enjoy life beyond work
By Li Shuo (Beijing Weekend)
Updated: 2004-10-16 16:06

How do Chinese gold-collar personnel enjoy their time off work?

Rumour has it they go to jazz bars, drink lattes, and enjoy a bottle of red wine during their western style meals in western style restaurants. They are professionally dressed during office hours, and shine through their appearance at commercial gatherings.

So what do the definitive gold-collar employees do during their times of leisure?

Where do they shop?

Wang Haiyun, senior membership director at the Capital Club, says she actually has little opportunity to shop in Beijing.

She prefers the top department stores in the China World Trade Centre, Beijing Lufthansa Shopping Centre, Scitech Tower, and Oriental Plaza.

"I do not have much time to comb through these stores, and I often feel I cannot find what I really want in Beijing."

Many of her clothes are bought outside the Chinese mainland. "In Europe, America, Singapore, and Hong Kong, I buy many clothes. Although the prices are a little high, I find what I want, and it is a lot of fun!"

What are their hobbies?

Wang loves to attend ballet and aerobic gymnastic classes to keep her body nimble and relaxed.

She loves swimming, and sometimes plays squash. She despises any gym equipment.

Tang Chaoyang, a senior manager with a technical company, located in Zhongguancun, Haidian District, said he likes playing basketball and badminton. His favourite cognitive game is chess.

Sun Dayuan, deputy executive of Eastern Huibo Co Ltd, adores many outdoor sports such as golf. To escape the tension of a working week, he makes time to sleep at least half a day.

Which clubs do they go to?

Joining clubs to associate with gold-collar peers is the essential gold-collar lifestyle trend.

Clubs are enjoying a rapid growth in China, even though they appeared only a decade ago.

There are several top clubs offering international class service, the preferred gold-collar choice.

The Capital Club is one of the best known and respected. It is a joint venture between ClubCorp International and China International Trust and Investment Corporation (CITIC).

Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, Capital Club boasts a regular 1,200 members, all elite people in high society.

Other clubs competing for international attention are the Chang An Club, The China Club, and the Beijing American Club.

Where and how do they travel?

Travel is an everyday pastime for the gold-collar class. It is said that one third of their working time is spent on travelling, be it for business or personal getaways.

Wang Haiyun is a steady fan of the travelling perks.

"I spend all my holidays travelling overseas," Wang said.

She never joins a travel group. "I don't feel free participating with a team of travellers. I prefer to travel alone or with family or friends. I book tickets and accommodation in hotels myself and go wherever I wish."

Do they enjoy their family life?

Gold-collar class treasure their family life, despite the time they spend working.

Sun Dayuan manages to allocate one full day to be with his family.

"I believe the most successful businessman is not a pure workaholic. Life is not complete without enjoying your family," Sun said.

"No matter what I pursue, how high I aim, it would mean nothing if I did not share what I achieve with those I love - seeing my parents, accompanying my wife, and assisting with educating my child," Sun said.

"Although I cannot spend as much time with them as I would like, I make the best of every moment, to communicate with them and show my care and concern for them."



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