12-2 is no time for business in China

June 23, 2008

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Here in Wuhan, people work a lot. Definitely more than my 15 hours (maximum) a week. Everyday, from 12 to 2, my students go off to take naps, while the teachers also go off to take naps. In the beginning of my trip, I thought I could use this time to wisely set up my life. As you may remember from such banking pieces as this and this one, you can see that sometimes business is not running on full tilt.

This is part of the 12 to 2 phenomenon, which I assume is throughout China, even though I’ve only observed it in Wuhan. This phenomenon, or no-work-epidemic, deals with me going somewhere at perhaps 12:45, 1:14, or 1:37 and being told that it is closed. Upon further questioning, I am always told to return at 2, when business goes back on schedule. Examples include when I went banking during my broke phase. I tried to get virtual money exchanged (my money somehow was made into Japanese Yen, but not made into real money, just sitting as unusable currency) and I was told to wait. Upon questioning why at 1 they couldn’t help me, I was told there was 1 person able to do it and they were on their 12 to 2 nap. When we were trying to be legit in Wuhan, we’d have to wait until 2 to go to the many police stations we needed to become Wuhan temporary residents.

Chinese businesses stay open many hours, but next time a Chinese guy complains about how much he works drop the bomb. Tell him you know all about his daily 2 hour nap. I’m not complaining too much about it, I’m just jealous.

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