Rob van Baal, NOW Organic, on Chinese culture:
“Actually, you can compare the Chinese to the Dutch”
Tholen - Rob van Baal has been living and working in Dalian, China, for eighteen years. Inspired by a tour of the country, he left for the Asian country twenty-two years ago to learn the language. He is now responsible for growing and processing organic ginger. In his spare time, he can often be found on the beach with a book or in the water.
“In 1997 I had sold my business and temporarily had nothing to do,” Rob begins. “A friend of mine wanted to set up a joint venture in China at the time. He asked if I fancied coming along. I was very impressed by the trip, by the culture and the life there. In Beijing we came across a billboard with a photo of Hainan with a beautiful beach. Back home I started reading up on it and decided to enrol at university to learn the language.”
When Rob was back in the Netherlands after graduating, his friend asked him again whether he wanted to work in China. The answer wasn't long in coming. “I was ready for a new challenge and really wanted to go and work in China. Back then I processed organic products, such as pumpkin seeds and soya beans.” At the time, it was the unknown that appealed to Rob most. “Actually, I don't really mind where I live, but where I live now is brilliant. I live on the beach and have my friends, sports and pubs right on my doorstep.”
Rob is now the owner of NOW Organic. “We grow and trade organic ginger. We plant the ginger in May and harvest it in October. Then it goes to the factory, where we wash it, sort it and export it to the Netherlands. From the Netherlands we then export it again, mainly to Germany, but also partly to southern Europe and England. We also process the ginger into juices in the Netherlands.” In his spare time, Rob can often be found on the beach with a book or in the water. He also enjoys cycling and cooking, and has the occasional beer. He now also has a Chinese partner.
Focus on results
The biggest differences from the Netherlands are the food culture and the focus the Chinese have. “In China they consider food much more important than in the Netherlands, and they pay a lot of attention to it. When you do business here, it always happens over a meal. During the meeting, the food itself is really discussed too. You also notice that the Chinese are very focused on results. They really want to be the best at everything, and we Dutch have that much less. Children here, for example, go to school seven days a week from eight to five. After school, they also go to extra tuition. The school bags are often bigger than the children,” he laughs.
This focus is also something the Chinese could teach the Dutch, according to Rob. “The Chinese work very hard. The Dutch could learn something from that!” And the other way round? “There's much less creativity here. That's a big shortcoming. I try to contribute to that in the factory by letting everyone have a say in decisions. They're not used to that here either; authority counts for much more here. At the start, for example, they wanted to carry my suitcase and polish my shoes every time. But I just do that myself, you know!”
Although it's a very different culture, Rob didn't really have to get used to it. “There are no traits of the Chinese that I can't get used to. Actually, you can compare the Chinese to the Dutch quite well. They're also carefree and hospitable, and they jump the queue everywhere! What I miss about the Netherlands is the cheese. I do think I'll return to the Netherlands one day. After all, my Dutch is still better than my Chinese.”
Visit the Shop HERE!This is an article from the January issue of the trade magazine Primeur.
For more information:rob@noworganic.comPublication date: 6 February 2019 Author: Anne Jansen © BioJournaal.nl
