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No rest for problem solver
By Xu Chi |
August 20, 2010, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
YOU can call him the skillful lobbyist or the great diplomat at the World Expo, either way Fei Jinsen is the guy who has to handle all manner of problems including cultural misunderstandings.
Fei, the chief management director of Section C at the Expo, is responsible for the safe operation of the 56 pavilions in this popular area.
He said the most difficult task confronting him is the clash of cultures caused by the bad manners of some Chinese visitors.
"When the Spain Pavilion was issuing small gifts to the public outside the pavilion, hundreds of Chinese visitors swarmed around and frightened staff," Fei said.
Fei said he explains things carefully to all sides and sometimes makes necessary compromises to foreign staff workers, but he won't endanger the safety of visitors and Expo workers.
"Some Western people pursue freedom and love to do things they want in a casual way," Fei said. "But Chinese people are more serious, especially dealing with issues such as the Expo."
He said in another example that some foreign staff workers wanted to give performances last Monday to celebrate the 100th day of the Expo, but he didn't allow it as regulations require that all shows and performances be examined first.
"We respect cultural difference as it is a part of the Expo, but we have to obey the game rules first," Fei said.
He said some problems surfaced before the event even officially opened.
Fei said the Expo site didn't have any steel railings for queues outside pavilions on the first day of the trial operation because organizers wanted to give visitors more freedom to walk around.
But the "foreign fashion" turned out to be a bad idea. The large crowds flowed into pavilions chaotically.
Fei said many pavilion officials were shocked.
"Some pavilions were closed the next day," said Fei. "A chief representative of the UK Pavilion even described the scene as a 'horror show.'"
Fei said they then set up the steel railings at queuing areas and sent out more security guards to maintain order. The railings have now created new problems.
"Japanese visitors yesterday complained that the railings made them feel like they were 'caged in,'" Fei said.
For Fei, the job is never done.
Fei, the chief management director of Section C at the Expo, is responsible for the safe operation of the 56 pavilions in this popular area.
He said the most difficult task confronting him is the clash of cultures caused by the bad manners of some Chinese visitors.
"When the Spain Pavilion was issuing small gifts to the public outside the pavilion, hundreds of Chinese visitors swarmed around and frightened staff," Fei said.
Fei said he explains things carefully to all sides and sometimes makes necessary compromises to foreign staff workers, but he won't endanger the safety of visitors and Expo workers.
"Some Western people pursue freedom and love to do things they want in a casual way," Fei said. "But Chinese people are more serious, especially dealing with issues such as the Expo."
He said in another example that some foreign staff workers wanted to give performances last Monday to celebrate the 100th day of the Expo, but he didn't allow it as regulations require that all shows and performances be examined first.
"We respect cultural difference as it is a part of the Expo, but we have to obey the game rules first," Fei said.
He said some problems surfaced before the event even officially opened.
Fei said the Expo site didn't have any steel railings for queues outside pavilions on the first day of the trial operation because organizers wanted to give visitors more freedom to walk around.
But the "foreign fashion" turned out to be a bad idea. The large crowds flowed into pavilions chaotically.
Fei said many pavilion officials were shocked.
"Some pavilions were closed the next day," said Fei. "A chief representative of the UK Pavilion even described the scene as a 'horror show.'"
Fei said they then set up the steel railings at queuing areas and sent out more security guards to maintain order. The railings have now created new problems.
"Japanese visitors yesterday complained that the railings made them feel like they were 'caged in,'" Fei said.
For Fei, the job is never done.
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