The Expat Efficiency Paradox

Arriving in China is plagued by adjusting to new technology, apps, as well as learning what on earth a mini program is. I never expected, as a newcomer, to reveal hidden secrets to seasoned veterans. But after a month in China, I had been frequently using WeChat’s built-in translation feature and figured this was a commonly used tool amongst expats. But lo and behold, one day I was ordering milk tea with my boss, a Shenzhener through and through, now ten years deep into her life in China, and she was astonished. In all this time in China, she had been brute forcing her way through untranslated food deliveries, discounts, and Didi drives.

After living here for over a year now, I too fall victim to "path dependence." I learned to do things one way, and now I continue down this path even when better options reveal themselves. Frequently, friends will suggest quicker solutions to my comfort methods, but instead of adopting these strategies, I have become exceptionally proficient at the complicated route. Mastering the complicated system is often the best way of neglecting when a simpler solution arises. This is what I have been calling the "Expat Efficiency Paradox". The longer you live somewhere, the better you become at handling inconveniences. Eventually, you are so good at working around problems that you stop looking for simpler solutions.

The post-survival guide

Rather than highlighting survival strategies for newcomers, I thought I would share some of my favourite shortcuts, disguised features, and tools for once you become accustomed to many of the frequently used apps.

Mini program ecosystem inside WeChat

Mini programs are lightweight, instant on apps that live entirely inside WeChat. They do not require installation and take up next to no storage space. Foreigners may find them strange at first, but they are the perfect solution to the modern problem of requiring multiple different apps for similar activities such as parking, sending packages, and so on. Less clutter!

WeChat translation tools

Furthermore, using the mini programmes means you can also access WeChat’s built-in translation feature, which I mentioned at the start. This allows for live, in app, and "fairly" accurate translations, perfect for ordering food, taxis, or even booking trips. Not to mention the ability to translate messages as well as screenshots, perfect for long uninterrupted blocks of text.

Alipay and WeChat transport tools

This is one of my personal expat efficiency paradoxes. Since the start, I have used the mini program shown in the image to ride the metro almost daily. Multiple times, friends have suggested utilising the Alipay transport feature. It was only once I left Shenzhen that I saw the value in setting this up. Guangzhou, Shanghai, and pretty much every metro country wide has access to this, so it is essential for convenient travel if you intend to do plenty of city hopping.

Meituan food finds

You will never be short of food options in China, but you may find yourself short on time. The Meituan fifteen minute feature will give you the rundown of every restaurant in your area which can provide food in 15 minutes or under. This is fantastic for when you are in a pinch or just feeling impatient.

Location sharing

Many foreigners know how to drop a pin on WeChat, but my favourite tool is often underutilised. Location sharing not only allows you to see your friends' live location, but it also has a built in Walkie Talkie. This way, if your group is separated, you can locate each other easily by holding down the button and seeing where they are. Don't forget to say "over."

Stickers

WeChat has an amazing feature equivalent to sending GIFs. You have access to an unlimited bank of funny images and reactions. However, if you are feeling extra creative, you can make your own. Using the plus symbol, you can input your own images or short videos for people to add to their own collections. Careful though, if a friend catches any funny face, it will likely appear again and again and again.

Conclusion

There is no right or wrong way to live in China. Shenzhen is by far one of the easiest, most convenient cities to live in, and I can only see it getting better. Staying stuck in your self made systems is not a sign of inefficiency. In fact, I am more impressed at my manager's ability to operate without a translator for ten years. I am sure this has encouraged her to reach out, meet new people, and make new friends. I am sure she is well versed in how to read some of the more niche Chinese characters and knows what she likes because of it. Living in China requires adaptability. In fact, I often enjoy my more complicated solutions as they push me to learn something new or operate outside of my comfort zone. But as this city, and the rest of China, moves forward, there are likely to be countless more advances which pass us by for many newcomers to tell us.