Let’s put it this way. I am moving to Bangalore and this time around I wil start my naturalization process. (I have been to India 4 times now, and I am a white american)

I am not moving to China.

India is crazy, corrupt, loud, dirty, and no one can agree on anything yet at the same time won’t actively disagree with each other.

China is just scary to me. I find the US to controlling, China is far worse.

In the end India will win because it is sane and democratic. China will become democratic before it is over, but India has the advantage for now.

I’m a big China fan. The country can make and sell goods (shoddy or not) for 10% of the price of similar stuff available elsewhere (incidentally those are made in China too, just branded differently). IMO, you cannot beat that kind of price competition. The world will still need everything from plastic clips to Neo Jr.’s and Maya Jr.’s toys to microchips.
BUT no need to take a commenter-who doesn’t even have her own blog ’s word for it. Check this out.
http://www.forbes.com/2010/01/11/china-bubble-chanos-leadership-managing-rein.html

For a large, comparatively poor, not very well educated population, such as China’s, democracy may not be the best solution CURRENTLY.
(Not my opinion – words out of the Chinese’s mouth). They are able to build metros in their large cities in the time it takes Mumbai to obtain clearances from Andheri residents for approval to start building a metro line. Greater good for the greatest number.

PS – Mrs Neo should stop and think – if she doesn’t count her lucky stars that she snagged you when she did – you have a whole female following of blog readers who think you’re witty and charming who’d be happy to help her count

I showed Mrs. Neo your comment about my smarts, charm and wit – and her reaction was (I’m translating from her expression into English) “Well that’s easy to say for someone who doesn’t have to live with you!”

In many ways, China is like Dubai on (chinese-made) steroids. Malinvestment, over-investment and the bubble thinking is alive, well and bursting at its seams in China – you don’t have to take the word of an anonymous, charming blogger – read this: http://finance.yahoo.com/retirement/article/108534/contrarian-investor-sees-economic-crash-in-china?mod=retire-planning

However, all of these flaws are with the government – none of this is to take away from the enterprising nature of the Chinese people. Thought experiment: Imagine how much more powerful would China be if it were as free as India!

And on getting a mortgage (as opposed to a house) – I’m “in the market”. If you suddenly see me posting real estate cheerleader posts, you’ll know I bought.

-Neo

PS: I see that you’ve mastered the core management principle of keeping the most important information in the “PS”.

PS2: I’m going to go on a limb and suggest that you start your own blog. You already have a good taste in the blogs you read!

You’ve saved 5 crores in the US.
You’re well-built from all the sweating in the gym.
You aim to be experiential by getting better at sex (though have to say sometimes it ain’t about acrobatics – missionary works like a charm too)
You’re smart, charming and funny.

Gotta say Mrs. Neo hit the bulls eye

PS – China ain’t all about shoddy goods and repressed people. They’re some of the most enterprising folk around and we really cannot hope to compete with them where their strengths lie. Will never happen.

PS2 – It IS true that they’re not making land anymore (well, at least not in major Indian metros). We’re a nation of 1 billion plus and growing…even an apt in the ‘burbs of b’lore will succumb to inflationary trends in money supply and population growth..bit of Econ 101 for the IT Engineer. Do get that mortgage, Bubba Neo will thank you 20 30 40 years later.

PS3 – Dont own a WII OR a Playstation. Yet.

Rivetting read. Cheers.

The speaking engagement is some way in the near future. I am a curious sort of person so am bound to learn tons. On the rest – well, that is true.

And what people say they believe and what people actually do are *so* different. Without this unique feature of humanity, I’d have nothing to blog about.

Thanks for reminding me about the work culture posts. I’ll try and post my thoughts on it soon!

To the point now…you should write a piece on work culture in India. For those of us who are still a little skeptical about moving back…