无题夜话:写给2013年的春节

终于没有下笔去写2012年的总结,因为我发现,过去的两年,除了科研转型带来的困惑和与妻子家人分居亚欧大陆两端的思念之情外,实在是没有什么好写。与曾经的研究生生活相比,我的博士生涯可谓波澜不惊却跌宕起伏,风平浪静却暗潮汹涌。尽管日此,我搜藏挂肚,也难以找出值得记录的事件。或许,正如一首歌唱得好,平平淡淡才是真吧。

一如惯例,在英国这个所谓的西方国家,春节是很难找到一点感觉的。除了宿管中心因为华人学生趋多而随俗地来了一份“Happy New Year of the snake”(中文译:蛇年新年快乐)外,似乎很难找到一点过年的感觉。于我?其也不过是一个平常的周末。唯一的区别,恐怕就是我看了春晚,吃了饺子吧。更重要的是,我吃了两顿饺子:一顿速冻,一顿手工。

正当我打算就睡一觉来欢度春节之时,我收到了XY的邀请去她家包饺子。显然,我这种多年不包饺子的货色去了也基本是个打酱油的货色。大家一起行动的感觉自然是快乐的。其中充斥着各种Gossip(所谓的八卦),从老大的自行车技到双曲线之典故,从各地风俗到学术研究,此种讨论可谓是包罗万象。正如一句古语所说:有些东西,只有当你真正的失去时,才会想到其存在的价值。与我而言,当真正地与同胞在异国他乡的饭桌上海阔天空之时,却终究发现英语无论多好,于我们外国人而言,也无法达到如此闲聊的地步。毕竟除了本身语言的问题外,他还包括了文化的因素。而这,则是一个复杂,却也难有可行解的命题。

西方人是永远无法中国人的故土情节和人情冷暖的。正如办公室的Justin总是难以理解中国的春运一般。我们无法理解英国年轻Party上的酗酒行为,老外们估计也难以理解我们的聚餐文化。而正是这种文化构建出了中国社会的一种自上而下的,与西方社会迥异的社会结构和运行体制。事实上,这种人治的社会也伴随着中国这个国度度过了数千年,并也创造了贞观、万历等盛世。事实上,也是这种以”人“为本的文化背景使得国人格外重视重要的节假日。尽管人在异乡便是客,聪慧的国人也有着自己的方式来庆祝这些佳节。

西方,尤其是欧美,自文艺复兴以后便开始了独立化的征程。在西方的文化中,法高于一切和法律之前人人平等已经深入人心。西方的文化虽然也有亲情,他们却基于非常小的家庭单元——夫妻和未成年子女。他们的文化,或许是我的误解,往往寄托于“受托责任”关系,也就没有了中国般“24孝”的基础。正如一棵树木离开土地无法生存,一种文化现象在离开它所依仗的土壤之时,往往也预见了其悲惨的结局。所以在西方,我们看到了Party,我们也看到了家庭的温馨晚宴,但是我们却难以看到中国的家族式观念。

作为初来英国的华人,包括两年前的我,都会对一切都表示好奇。感觉一切都好。然而随着时间的迁移,我们会渐渐发现英国生活的无聊,人与人之间的关系之冷漠。尽管在国内,我们天天抱怨办公室政治,我们抱怨国人的素质,甚至于我们会抱怨空气质量,但当我们真正的在这里呆久了以后,我们会慢慢发现其实如果没有错中复杂的人际关系,对于国人而言,居然会有一种空落的感觉。正如Kate Fox在她的书中所写一般,英国人给人的感觉总是冷漠的。因为它们重视自己的隐私。而更进一步,这事实上是一个法治社会的基本形态。

事实上,生活在两种文化冲突的最前线,或许是幸运的,也或许是悲观的。之所以说其幸运,是因为只有在两种风格迥异文化的对冲中,我们可以进一步了解各家之所长,之所短。但是同样的,这种对冲极有可能导致迷失的发生。我们会渐渐地失去方向,与飘落在水面上的落叶般,或顺流而下,或陷于漩涡中不可自拔。如果说欧美文化对于外来文化是宽容的,那就是大错特错了。本周Economist因为朝鲜的核试验危机而开始大谈朝鲜。与以往一边倒的言论不同的是,该刊的两篇文章居然在讨论朝鲜社会改变的点点滴滴。这些点点滴滴的改变,于中国80年代初的市场经济般属星星之火,以至于Economist的文章建议欧美政府鼓励其改革。这让我想到了上世纪90年代轰动世界的一个大事件+东欧剧变。显然,西方文化更愿意接受的,是一种与自身制度相一致的国家。

西方的春节于是恰好地揭示了这种文化冲突。国人都在欢欢喜喜地过大年,而老外却如没事人般。其实这点我很羡慕香港和新加坡的同僚。因为他们的春节至少还有一些假期,而我们,则是一无所有。这正是身在异乡为客渡,难得他人行同路啊。

最后附上一首《天道》中的打油诗,聊以自慰

本是后山人,
偶做前堂客。
醉舞经阁半卷书,
坐井说天阔。
大志戏功名,
海斗量福祸。
论到囊中羞涩时,
怒指乾坤错。

谈谈春节购票:国情本是如此?

尽管人已经回到英伦,并且开始了苦逼的PhD生活,但由于领导身在天朝,故而不能免俗:春节需回家与家人团聚。于是,买票这个光荣而艰巨的任务终于落到了本人的头上。只是,对于这个本该花钱买享受的过程,我并未有半点花钱的快感。相反,我真正体会到了作为一个天朝子民的不易。因为:我们生来与天斗,与地斗,更需要与人斗。

中国的春运大潮在多年前曾被海外媒体形容为全球最大的暂时性移民潮。的确,当全球任何一个区域在短短的一周时间内产生出相当于英国美国人口总和的人流量在方圆九百六十平米的土地上“迁徙”之时,其本身就已经成为了一条足够震撼的新闻。对于此,西方的报端往往会把这个当成喜剧。因为对西方人而言,他们无法理解中国的落叶归根,无法理解中国文化中传统的家族观念,更无法理解为啥要去凑热闹。正如我在跟我的欧洲办公室同事介绍我昨晚如何在3000人的搏击中搞定一张火车票的时候,他的反应并非夸耀我的运气和牛逼。恰恰想法,他的疑问只有一个:Why?

我们的铁老大终于在数年前决定开始进军电子商务。当然,他有着庞大的用户群和高度的用户忠诚度。而这种忠诚度却往往与其顾客的收入水平呈负相关。而若能够提供一个畅通的购买火车票的网络平台,那这将是一件提高社会福利的大好事。只是我们的铁老大实在是过度熟悉苏联的那一套计划经济。以至于在市场经济已经深入人心的今天,他依然能够违背各种招标程序,以3亿元的价格制造了一个无论是界面还是背后的程序皆为本科生作业级别的标准。当然,我们并不是如其他投资般没有反应。相反,3亿元投资的网站在满足了大众的好奇以后,也成功地招来了各种谩骂。

本人也终于有幸在今年春节感受了这一股过节的热浪。从17号开始,我就坚守在电脑前,目不转睛地盯着9点整深圳火车站的放票信息。不得不说,这种全民在线秒杀的游戏还真的是难以形容。以至于我跟我办公室的同事说,如果你想找点刺激,如果你想了解中国,那么就帮我订票啊。在此过程中,你会眼睁睁地看着票出来,点预订,输入验证码,结果系统却提示排队人数过多,根本不给你任何排队的机会。如此周而复始,在一分钟以后,你会惊喜地发现,所有的列车票全部售罄。此种效率,恐怕全世界也只有中国能看到了。我也实在是不知道,遇到此种情况,我是三生有幸呢,还是倒了十八辈子大霉。想想上周回英国订票之时,我所需要的只是一个iPad外加20秒的时间。

持有笔者这种喜笑怒骂的态度之人不在少数,却很容易招致一些所谓内行人士的鄙视。原因很简单,他们会告诉我所谓经济学的供求关系,所谓中国人口基数,所谓中国春节的家庭团聚文化等等。的确,春运期间的供求关系是极其不平衡的,而且此种段时间人口迁徙也只有中国才能看到。但是,此种论调往往忽略了一个最大的问题:作为一个企业,尤其是政府控制下的基础设施(Infrastructure),在遇到此类人口大流量,且具有很好的预期性的时候,他的责任是什么?我们不需要去讨论高深的理论和前沿的学术。因为一本最简单的本科教材,甚至于是给非专业人士所读的文字,抑或直接出于人性的考虑,我们都不难得到答案:他需要做的,应该是尽可能地提高运力,甚至于在春运期间大规模改变运输路线,使用大运力的车辆等等。更重要的是,作为政府投资的基础建设项目,他应该保证大众消费者”买得起“。

但是我们看到了什么呢?这几年来,我看到的就是K字头的车越来越少,T字头的车在某些线路基本绝迹。他们先是在票价涨了一倍的情况下变成了D字头车,然后又在再次票价翻倍的情况下变成了G字头的车,整个是涨声一片。于是,铁路这种本该成为最大众化的运输工具的公共基础设施,终于在铁道部的领导们的运作下被做成了政绩工程和摇钱树。于是我们看到了春运期间有些打工的兄弟们不得不购买价值高达1600元的高铁商务座。对于大众的负面评价,铁道部置若罔闻。因为这种供求关系衍射出了中国的一句古话——皇帝的女儿不愁嫁。于是,我们看到了票价的飞涨,服务的几乎没有。

如果说供求关系导致的不平衡还情有可原的话,那中国盛行的所谓人际关系经济学那就真的是过街老鼠了。曾记得数月前英国首相卡梅隆因为手持二等车票进入一等车厢被列车员要求补票,并因此而接受议会的质询。但是我们又何时会看到中国的领导人买不到票?更不用提在我们的”一人得道,鸡犬升天“的哲学下,领导们的七大姑八大姨等可以同样享受政府高官厚禄所带来的此种红利。曾记得08年我在北京。为了买一张十月一日回上海的火车票,我曾排队三天,甚至于两天是排在了队伍的第一个,却依然买不到票。而后来在家人的帮助下,我拿到的票却居然还是下铺。此种怪异现象,让国人如何能够心平气和地接受所谓供需矛盾的解释呢?毕竟,在一个没有公平制度保障的社会制度下,神马都可以成为浮云,甚至于是法律。

或许我们看到了全世界最多最密集的高铁网,觉得我们已经成了所谓的发达国家。可是在这些光鲜的外表下,我们看到的是火车运力的缩减,春运期间火车票的供求关系没有解决。我们看到了12306网站的订票系统,可是却发现他是一个”空中楼阁“。在该网站上订到票的概率简直如同买彩票。广大的铁路消费群体依然得在寒风中等待十几个小时以换来售票员冷冰冰的”没有票!”和明显的不耐烦。不得不说,这是个神奇的国度。以至于我在一次订票之后对我办公室人说:”我都惊奇我能在这个环境里生活那么久!“

曾经有人跟我说,天朝现在其实很好,人们丰衣足食,我们有着高楼大厦,很好的餐厅,iPhone的普及率比欧美都高。随便去一个旅游景点,人们手里的相机基本都是中高端单反。是的,如果以这些来比较,那恐怕英国真的是个悲剧。这里有着矮矮的老房子,出名难吃的英国食物,iPhone普及率也Okay(不过很多都是不花钱的合约机),旅游景点几乎都是卡片机,还没什么人。但是,当你真正的坐进两国的火车最平民的车厢(英国二等座 vs中国硬座),其差距才真正的显现。英国的车厢总是安安静静的,没有人高声说话,打电话也很小声。人们大多手持书或者报纸,静静地阅读。而我们的车厢就热闹多了,高声聊天,随地吐痰,到处抽烟,要么就是上车就睡。因为相比较那些蓝眼睛的家伙,我们的国民实在是太累了!其实这种差距才是我们真正应该去重视并缩短的。因为一国的发展水平并不在于高楼和GDP,而在于人们的生活质量。

不过说了这么多,其实也白搭。因为我们的领导永远不会知道底层生活之疾苦。各大媒体除了歌功颂德也不会有任何实质性的舆论压力。毕竟《南方周末》的墓碑就在他们的面前。我们能做的,还是自求多福,早日买到心仪的火车票吧!

最后:祝大家好运。

Words for Spring Festival, 2011: English Version

There are two reasons that eventually promote me writing this post in English, even though I have published one with similar topic in Chinese some hours ago. The first reason is a kind suggestion from Justin, both my colleague and good friend, says that he can hardly understand what I said on the blog since they are mainly in Chinese, the other reason, however, is on myself. I find my writing skills in English is declining very greatly in past few months, and I wonder, it is time for a practice now.

  1. An Alternative Post for This Festival

    This is not a replication of the Chinese post, and I would never try to do that for any reason, since it is meaningless. The expression and style that adopt in two different languages varies, and the objective from readers deviates. In this post, I would try to get rid of most trivialities that happened in my daily life, but taking something more serious into account. It is a choice that can both regards as a compromising between my willing and existing English writing competence, and a preference from myself, that is willing to use English as my working language.

  2. My Favor to Literature Reviews

    The accident happened last week indeed provided me some more time for my own reading and thinking , and I appreciate this opportunity greatly. For my research, I would temporarily get out of the world of bank and insurance, but focus on some newly published reviews on Journal of Accounting and Economics. In fact, I am crazy on reading reviews, especially those published on topic journals, because they do provide fast and efficient approach to the broad understanding on what had happened in past decade within the field of academic, but not only a narrow space that I am devoting to.

    This habit of reading reviews, as well as retelling classic papers are from the training that I took in Shanghai some years ago, a special program provided by TJ Wong and Joseph Fan, willing to promote the standardization of research in mainland China for business school faculties. During those two weeks, we took a very fast review on the studies that has been existing in past decades. Though they are mainly transferred to the regional studies in China later, the focus on reviews, or say, sufficient attention to fundamental questions and theory brought me great impression, which largely changed my taste.

    Comparing to those reviews published in 2001, which undoubtedly are revolutionary works, those published recently seems to be more intense. If regarding the 2001 reviews as introduction to contemporary studies in accounting and finance, I mean, the 2010 reviews however, focus on more intense questions. Taking the first review written by Amstrong for example ,which investigates the relation between corporate governance and debt contract, you would find numerous paragraphs critique previous works in past decade. This, indeed, is very beneficial for me, a rookie researcher, to learn how to aid my thinking.

  3. Accounting Issues in Banking Sectors: Interesting but  Challenging

    But a conflict is raising here, which comes from my study plan for PhD and my willing to a solid foundation. I suppose this conflict would go with me for the coming new year. Obviously, my willing to devote myself into the field of banking sectors, an area that I had nearly no specific knowledge and even missed some fundamental knowledge, is not a push from Professor Peasnell and O’Hanlon, but my determination on its prosperous perspective. The financial crisis from 2008 really beat the whole world, and made regulators be aware of the importance for their monitoring to this field, the investors be more focus on the specific knowledge in this industry. Undoubtedly, economic loss, or even depression would be the best lessons for anyone to take.  It is this transfer focus that made the studies in this field being popular and hot. However, a fundamental question that I shall ask myself is: can I handle this successfully?

  4. Perspective of 2011: Can Time Swipe Anything Away?

    Coming to Lancaster this winter, and being supervised by two great and kind professors, is really an excellent news for making my own dream come true.  But it is a transfer with high transaction cost, since my specific knowledge based on the market in China is indeed of quite little value to the studies conducted in mainstream academic world, and this largely reduces its transferability. Anyway, I would also have to face the troubles on my communications with colleagues and supervisors due to the barrier comes from cultural difference and my language capability.

    Anyway, to be or not to be, it is not a question here. The question here is substituted to how it can be. Perhaps time is the optimal solution for this formula, but how long would the time be? Who knows…https://blog.gujun-sky.com

Snow: Sign of A Prosperous New Year

It is very hard to tell why it happen, but it is becoming the truth that the weather is now becoming quite curious. Taking the recent days of Suzhou as an example, a city can seldom see snow in early spring, is now snowing around the Spring Festival. In fact, rolling back to the days that we have past years, some curious things can also still be reminded, e.g the snow in November of Wuhan. Admittedly, it is the first time that I see the snow at the Spring Festival in Suzhou.

Following are some pictures that I took in my flat through the window at about 2 a.m. It is really a difficult to take a photo with the exposure time of 1.6 seconds. And with a photo on the grass in front my house, you can see it more clearly.

The snow is not stop until the second day, though the snow on the roads has been wrapped, those on the grass and roof remains. In fact, this sight reminds me of the old days when the snow disaster happened in 2007. According to the CNN that the US is also snowing heavily in US this year.

These are two photos that I took the second day. For large pictures, just click on them.

However, there is a Chinese old saying goes that, with the heavy snow, you are expected a prosperous new year. I do wish this saying would promote me of my dream come true this year!

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