Related News
French expatriate finds life 'très sympathique'
April 28, 2012, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
THE French have the reputation as a people who know how to relax and enjoy life.
So why is Herve Philippe, 54, a Frenchman living in Minhang, getting up at 4am and working through to 6pm on weekdays?
"I want to spend more time with my son at night, so I get up early every day to spare more time for him," he said. "Also, I like my work."
Philippe, his Chinese wife He Lu and their 12-year-old son live on Hongmei Road in Hongqiao Town. They operate their own consulting firm, specializing in transportation-related issues.
Before coming to China, Philippe lived in Paris, working at the Ministry for Ecology, Sustainable Development, Transport and Housing. In the city of lights - and love - he met He, who earned her PhD in Paris and lived there for 20 years.
Their multi-cultural marriage met no resistance from either family, even though Philippe and his family don't speak Chinese and He's parents understand neither French nor English.
"It is easy for us to communicate because I lived in Paris for so long," He said.
Philippe nodded his agreement.
"Her parents are smart and open people, and they have welcomed me into their family," he said. "It's sometimes hard to communicate, but it is always a pleasure to visit them."
The pair met when both were studying operatic singing from the same teacher in Paris. Some of their favorite arias come, appropriated enough, from "The Marriage of Figaro" and "Romeo and Juliet." They were married in 1998.
In 2004, Philippe arrived in Shanghai to work at the French Consulate, conducting educational exchange programs. His wife took a job with Schneider Electric China.
Four years later, the couple decided to start their own business after a year of preparation and planning. They called their company LPDA (Le Pont des Arts).
Philippe said France has a lot of good products and expertise to offer in the transportation field, and China offers a lot of opportunities.
The company's major customers are governments in Shanghai and its neighboring area.
Language barrier aside, he said one of the major challenges he faces is coping with decision-making processes in China that are "quite long and difficult."
"Decision-making in public transportation is not the same as purchasing cars or luxury goods," he said. "You don't seal a deal just because you shake hands with someone. Potential clients want to see and compare, and it takes time to convince them that what you have to offer is the best."
In the business, Philippe focuses on technical issues and production, while his wife takes charge of developing relationships and communications.
Philippe and He said they believe the solution to severe traffic congestion in Shanghai is the promotion of modern, efficient and convenient public transport.
That's the future of smart cities, He explained.
The company helps clients integrate buses, metro lines and government departments related to transport. European standards are being introduced.
"Solving transportation problems is difficult, but it is our business to make it easy," Philippe said.
Their company now employs eight staff in its marketing and technical departments. Last year, the couple started searching for a new office location in Hongqiao Town, closer to home, but it was difficult because commercial developers don't keep small businesses in mind when creating space, said Philippe.
"Small companies want small offices," he said. "We don't want to rent 1,000 square meters."
Although their company has yet to turn a profit, Philippe said they are making ends meet.
These two transportation experts both ride bicycles to the work, although they do own a car that comes in handy for weekend excursions or business meetings further afield.
The pair said they really like living in Hongqiao.
"I like its good atmosphere and the mix of different people, both Chinese and foreigners," Philippe said. "The place is quiet and convenient."
Philippe said French people are never reticent to express their opinions. His view is that people need to learn to share more as resources become limited on a crowded planet.
The Chinese concept of harmony is a good one, he reckons, in developing a healthy environment and well-balanced relationships between people.
Despite their workaholic natures, Philippe and He said they are careful to cultivate quality family time. Philippe fancies swimming and football in his spare time.
The couple still enjoys operatic duos together and sometimes holds parties for friends at their home. Their son attends a French school in the Qingpu District.
Philippe speaks what he calls "survival Chinese" - simple words and phrases to get him through the day. He said he regrets he doesn't have time to study Chinese more seriously.
"My oral communications are not all that good, but I can recognize some Chinese characters," he said with a bit of pride.
Philippe said he has more Chinese friends than French ones.
"I don't spend my time looking up French people here," the said. "The people in my local community are familiar with foreigners and very friendly."
So why is Herve Philippe, 54, a Frenchman living in Minhang, getting up at 4am and working through to 6pm on weekdays?
"I want to spend more time with my son at night, so I get up early every day to spare more time for him," he said. "Also, I like my work."
Philippe, his Chinese wife He Lu and their 12-year-old son live on Hongmei Road in Hongqiao Town. They operate their own consulting firm, specializing in transportation-related issues.
Before coming to China, Philippe lived in Paris, working at the Ministry for Ecology, Sustainable Development, Transport and Housing. In the city of lights - and love - he met He, who earned her PhD in Paris and lived there for 20 years.
Their multi-cultural marriage met no resistance from either family, even though Philippe and his family don't speak Chinese and He's parents understand neither French nor English.
"It is easy for us to communicate because I lived in Paris for so long," He said.
Philippe nodded his agreement.
"Her parents are smart and open people, and they have welcomed me into their family," he said. "It's sometimes hard to communicate, but it is always a pleasure to visit them."
The pair met when both were studying operatic singing from the same teacher in Paris. Some of their favorite arias come, appropriated enough, from "The Marriage of Figaro" and "Romeo and Juliet." They were married in 1998.
In 2004, Philippe arrived in Shanghai to work at the French Consulate, conducting educational exchange programs. His wife took a job with Schneider Electric China.
Four years later, the couple decided to start their own business after a year of preparation and planning. They called their company LPDA (Le Pont des Arts).
Philippe said France has a lot of good products and expertise to offer in the transportation field, and China offers a lot of opportunities.
The company's major customers are governments in Shanghai and its neighboring area.
Language barrier aside, he said one of the major challenges he faces is coping with decision-making processes in China that are "quite long and difficult."
"Decision-making in public transportation is not the same as purchasing cars or luxury goods," he said. "You don't seal a deal just because you shake hands with someone. Potential clients want to see and compare, and it takes time to convince them that what you have to offer is the best."
In the business, Philippe focuses on technical issues and production, while his wife takes charge of developing relationships and communications.
Philippe and He said they believe the solution to severe traffic congestion in Shanghai is the promotion of modern, efficient and convenient public transport.
That's the future of smart cities, He explained.
The company helps clients integrate buses, metro lines and government departments related to transport. European standards are being introduced.
"Solving transportation problems is difficult, but it is our business to make it easy," Philippe said.
Their company now employs eight staff in its marketing and technical departments. Last year, the couple started searching for a new office location in Hongqiao Town, closer to home, but it was difficult because commercial developers don't keep small businesses in mind when creating space, said Philippe.
"Small companies want small offices," he said. "We don't want to rent 1,000 square meters."
Although their company has yet to turn a profit, Philippe said they are making ends meet.
These two transportation experts both ride bicycles to the work, although they do own a car that comes in handy for weekend excursions or business meetings further afield.
The pair said they really like living in Hongqiao.
"I like its good atmosphere and the mix of different people, both Chinese and foreigners," Philippe said. "The place is quiet and convenient."
Philippe said French people are never reticent to express their opinions. His view is that people need to learn to share more as resources become limited on a crowded planet.
The Chinese concept of harmony is a good one, he reckons, in developing a healthy environment and well-balanced relationships between people.
Despite their workaholic natures, Philippe and He said they are careful to cultivate quality family time. Philippe fancies swimming and football in his spare time.
The couple still enjoys operatic duos together and sometimes holds parties for friends at their home. Their son attends a French school in the Qingpu District.
Philippe speaks what he calls "survival Chinese" - simple words and phrases to get him through the day. He said he regrets he doesn't have time to study Chinese more seriously.
"My oral communications are not all that good, but I can recognize some Chinese characters," he said with a bit of pride.
Philippe said he has more Chinese friends than French ones.
"I don't spend my time looking up French people here," the said. "The people in my local community are familiar with foreigners and very friendly."
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
