Getting to know one, page-100

Mayochen: "Hope to meet the rest of the brigade at the mother of all reunions...."

Wonder IF a special get-together will ever happen but it would be nice (JIMHO, of course).

I have waited until August 1st to post, as this happens to be the National Day (this year the 727th time) of the country that I was born in and grew up. The only passport that I hold is from Switzerland, but I am also a permanent resident in Hong Kong.
Both my parents were already born and growing up in Zurich (in the poorest district of that city). All my education was in that beautiful town (my bias!) and I learned naturally the 3 main languages (German/French and Italian) before also finally being allowed to learn some English.
After quite a bit of travelling in my young and wild days was over, I did join in sequence two big multinational consumer goods companies in the field of sales and marketing (mainly the latter) and also did get with the first one some training in advertising.
When joining the second multinational, I did from the very start 'push' for an overseas posting. I was very fortunate to get the chance to move with them in early 1977 to Japan (2 years contract). Other than for two short training periods, I never again did live back in Europe after January 1977... In 1982 I did get a transfer to Taiwan, where I was the number 2 of the operation there. However, in late 1985 I did join another (smaller) Swiss multinational and did move back to Japan. Then, in 1992 a really great opportunity did come about and I was lucky enough to become the head of their operations for the whole of Asia-Pacific (yes, this included of course Australia and NZ). And this was based in Hong Kong, where I am still living now.
I did work with them until very late in 2006 and then did join a yet smaller company (also for the whole of the Asian-Pacific zone and also based in Hong Kong) during 2007/2008.
At the end of 2008, I did finally retire from the hyper-active business world, which had me travelling about 50% of each year... (taking my wife's suggestion to heart). But I did/do continue to give some consulting suggestions to a small company in the area of my expertise (FMCG).
NOW: What was (and is) the most important event during my over 40 years of living and working in Asia?
Very simple: Finding the perfect 'soul-mate' in the form of my beautiful wife. We are very happily married (no kids) and do enjoy life together - now during our retirement years. (My Chinese wife - born in Taiwan - was a successful business woman with her own business).

What was also very important for me throughout my life (my father died when I was still fairly young - he only made it to 54 years old) was to follow my dad's wish/guidance for how to live one's life: "Tue recht und scheue niemand". This is kind of difficult to translate but the best I can come up with is: "do what's right and fear no one".
Being an AUTHENTIC and HONEST person is crucial in my view. With age, I have also learned (somewhat belatedly) to be quite PATIENT...
Which brings me to FAR, of course.
I also do remember 'King Baz' postings on Sharescene - probably way more than 10 years ago...
Wishing all the persons holding/buying FAR the very best of luck.

wasa

PS: Thanking all for sharing their personal stories - a great read. Take good care each and everyone.