The term stems from the many other aspects of changes happening in China, for example: democracy with Chinese characteristics, socialism with Chinese characteristics and international relations with Chinese characteristics.

The FWCC appellation has both good and bad sides and isn’t something one is necessarily conscious of as an expat. It just kind of creeps up on you. You wake up one day and you’re an FWCC wondering how on earth it happened?

Express yourself
Perhaps it’s in the expressions you use. One day I found myself saying 'Eh' to get someone’s attention before I called their name. It just came out. Then slumping into my office seat, exhausted from the Beijing heat and pressure of work, I let out a loud 'ai-yoh', to express my stressful feeling at the time.

The Chinese staff sniggered, but looked suitably impressed, and there was just no stopping me from that point on.

A natural progression from there was to discard my carefully tutored western indoctrination of not asking personal questions like, "How old are you?", "How much do you earn?", "How much did your engagement ring cost" or the classic; "Have you ever had plastic surgery?"

FWCCs ask these questions freely and with gay abandon, completely disregarding any political correctness or feeling of encroachment. Uninhibited by the shackles of decorum it’s a breeze diving straight in and probing ad infinitum.

Communication becomes an exciting new prospect for FWCCs. In time, asking a question like, "How about my new shirt?" will sound perfectly normal, and why shouldn’t it when everyone else is speaking English this way. In fact the word "How" followed by an infinitive is one of the hallmarks of an FWCC’s speech pattern.

"How to spell?", "How to work this machine?" or "How to get to the bank?" roll off your tongue as smoothly as a Beijing cyclist dodging a pedestrian.

When hearing of a friend falling ill with a cold, which seem to linger for weeks in Beijing, Foreigners With Chinese Characteristics are quick to respond, "Drink more water" and "Have good rest". This care extends to beating all and sundry at the showdown to pay the bill at meal times. FWCCs never go dutch. Why should they anyway, if all the rumors are to be believed they earn more than enough.

Decision-making is an area where FWCC’s have long relinquished being snappy and to the point. Any question asked of a bona fide FWCC where a decision is required will be met with a quick "It’s up to you", putting the ball squarely back in the court of the person asking. This is especially effective in the workplace for slowing down production.

More than you bargained for
And of course there is the bargaining. Any FWCC worth their salt will be well versed in the art of bargaining. It is never a case of 'To haggle or not to haggle, that is the question'. FWCCs haggle everywhere and with anything they buy. They even haggle in five-star upmarket shopping malls, free of embarrassment and oblivious to the stares of those who think they know better.

Haggling becomes almost like being addicted to some drug, where the high comes from that moment when you walk away from your frustrated seller and you hear the sweet words "OK OK" as he finally concedes to your price. You’re experienced enough to know he is still making a profit, but you know you’re in the loop and you’re playing the game. It's heady stuff.

Apart from haggling, FWCC status has other financial implications too. The inbred need to tip, so prevalent in the West, is not necessary here and when one thinks of the numerous times you eat out in China it’s a substantial saving. Tipping is so taboo even giving advice is a non-starter.

The downside of FWCC behavior is that 'back home' your odd ways are bound to get you black-listed by family and friends. Don’t you hate it when some people just don’t understand?

However even as a proud FWCC, there is one place I draw the line. I refuse to sit on a park bench, roll up my trouser legs to expose pale knees and then roll up my shirt to expose my stomach. I know this is a way locals cool down on these hot, humid Beijing summer days, but I guess I still have a way to go before I’m a hardcore FWCC.

I’m thinking of having FWCC nametags, T-shirts and even car stickers made. An FWCC website seems a logical move too. After all, why not give a little publicity to losing your identity; it may be the only way other people will ever know who you really are.