Notes on Quality

Do you remember when "Made in Japan" was synonymous with junk? Now Japanese goods are the highest quality. Similarly, Korean goods are higher quality now than just a few years ago. China is on the same trajectory. We were told numerous times that China is intent on both producing higher quality goods than in the past, and on consuming higher end products. The Chinese are quite brand conscious.

As we were walking near Tiananmen Square, I saw a sign for a trade show that captured this notion: "Luxury Personal Goods for the Distinct Consumer."

Somehow the stepladder, which had blown over and put a hole in the sign, seemed symbolic. The Chinese aren't quite there yet. Two minor examples:

First, my hotel room in Beijing had minor flaws in construction and maintenance (fastener heads showing through the top of the shelf next to the desk, mildew around the bathtub). These would not have been noteworthy in a two or three star hotel, but this was a five star hotel. One would not find such flaws in a five star hotel in the U.S.

Second, while walking around the Temple of Heaven, my camera batteries died and my spares were back on the bus. So I bought new batteries from a gift shop. They appeared to be new Duracell batteries, but they died after about 15 pictures, before I even left the Temple of Heaven. They must have been knock-offs, not genuine Duracell batteries.

On the other hand, the quality of service we received was excellent everywhere: hotels, airports, airlines, restaurants, taxis. The airlines were better than U.S. airlines. There were no overbooked or canceled flights; our flights were on time or nearly so; and no one lost any luggage.

I expect that we will see the Chinese work to bring everything they do up to this standard of quality.