May 08, 2024
Chinese workplace culture can confuse foreigners about what exactly their boss is thinking and saying. In this article, break down some of the most confusing local practices and bring you some tips on how expats can charm their Chinese bosses. Read more>>
Feb 21, 2012 Comments(18)
If you are unfamiliar with China on your first visit here, or if you've lived here for ten years and just don't get out very often, you might not know how to behave around your eastern neighbours. China isn't as different as many people think, and ...... Read More>>
Feb 16, 2012 Comments(3)
Mah-jong, or majiang (麻将) as it is known in China, is a game of skill, calculation and luck. It has a lot in common with the Western card game rummy, and anyone who has played rummy before should find mah-jong fairly easy to pick up. That said, because ...... Read More>>
Feb 14, 2012 Comments(3)
There are few goals that elude expats more than saving money in China. Most people who work in the Middle Kingdom have similar expectations when they first arrive: to learn some Chinese, see some sights, and save a little money. As achievable as these aims ...... Read More>>
Feb 13, 2012 Comments(1)
In the years between 1995-2000, sales from Western-style supermarkets jumped more than six-fold in China. A growing population of expats, foreign businesses, and a more comfortable Chinese middle class means a demand for more westernised products. Names ...... Read More>>
Feb 12, 2012 Comments(1)
The official holiday calendar for 2012 is now out for your perusing pleasure. While it may seem similar to any other year, there are a few big differences of which to take note: First, besides the Dragon Boat Festival, we'll be required to "make ...... Read More>>
Feb 04, 2012 Comments(2)
It's not uncommon in China to meet locals who introduce themselves using names like Apple, Ghostly, Puppy and Whisper. Anyone familiar with the TV show Sexy Beijing (http://www.sexybeijing.tv/) will recall its (oddly attractive) faux-Carrie Bradshaw host ...... Read More>>
Jan 19, 2012 Comments(1)
Foreigners have quite the reputation for clumsiness in China. In fact, this is such a universally acknowledged truth that it is even part of the daily commute. Snippets from home video accident shows in the West are shown regularly between news bulletins on ...... Read More>>
Jan 07, 2012 Comments(1)
It's no surprise that the food in China is quite different from what you're likely used to eating at home. Even "Chinese food" in your home country probably consists of dishes you can't actually find here, like General Tsao's Chicken. So what are ...... Read More>>
Jan 06, 2012 Comments(2)
Breathing in clean air sounds like a very basic right, but unfortunately it is not something we can take for granted living in China’s smoggy metropolises. With China’s air pollution frequently surpassing international standards and even partially shooting...... Read More>>
Jan 03, 2012 Comments(4)
Most schools in China are nothing less than pleasant, with great staff, great hours and great kids. But, stay in China long enough and you'll hear plenty of horror stories. Many of us have experienced a bad school first-hand, or, unfortunately, are ...... Read More>>
Jan 01, 2012 Comments(1)
According to a recent article on sina.com.cn, different coloured foods have surprisingly different effects on your body's health. Apparently, it's best to eat less red, orange and bright yellow foods; while white, green and black foods should be eaten more ...... Read More>>
Dec 30, 2011 Comments(2)
If you, like me, have a Chinese spouse then there’s a good likelihood that at some point you will want to obtain permanent residency in your country for your husband or wife. Each country’s rules and regulations will vary, with some ...... Read More>>
Dec 17, 2011 Comments(1)
For those not tempted by the sun-soaked sands of the south, this article will offer three very different but equally valuable winter holiday destinations in the north of China. The three areas recommended are intended to appeal to three kinds of voyager: ...... Read More>>
Dec 16, 2011 Comments(7)
Let's face it; most foreigners live very differently from most local Chinese. Power consumption, buying habits, social activities and modes of transportation are all different for those of us who were raised in other countries. Still, the ...... Read More>>
Dec 09, 2011 Comments(0)
Not so long ago, it used to be the case that working in China guaranteed you a great job back home. These days, a stint in China doesn't have quite the same cache, and the Mandarin you picked up won't set you apart, since more and more people are learning ...... Read More>>
Dec 03, 2011
Whether you’re a cooking aficionado or a half-baked expert of beans on toast, it’s more than likely that you’ve attempted Chinese style cooking at some point in your life. For some, cooking in a Chinese style might mean throwing a bag of ...... Read More>>
Dec 02, 2011 Comments(3)
There comes a time in the lives of (most) expats when you just gotta go home. Maybe your work contract is about to end, or perhaps you’ve had your fill of China and feel that it’s time to move on. Maybe our recent article about reasons to leave ...... Read More>>
Nov 26, 2011 Comments(1)
Walking into the condiments section of the Chinese supermarket can boggle the senses of the uninitiated. While shopping the other day I realised that even after several years in China I was unsure what many of the bottled condiments in the sauces and oils ...... Read More>>
Nov 17, 2011 Comments(2)
Having family and friends come visit you in China is one of the best feelings in the world. After being away from home for months (sometimes years) at a time, having those you love and miss actually be in your physical presence can be restorative, exciting ...... Read More>>
Nov 07, 2011 Comments(6)
When people think of food scandals in China, most people think of the 2008 melamine milk incident, in which six infants died and over 300,000 people fell sick, some with serious kidney complications. Sadly, that was by no means the first time China was host ...... Read More>>
Nov 04, 2011 Comments(2)
If making the big move overseas after considerable time in China is on your mind, no doubt your ability to market your experiences here to potential employers will be tested. In today's rough labor market, making the most of your hard work is more vital ...... Read More>>
Oct 24, 2011 Comments(1)
Living in China, you tend to hear a lot about the habits you should resist developing while here – nose picking and spitting usually being at the top of the list. But what about those things we should learn? Those things the Chinese have gotten right, ...... Read More>>
Oct 13, 2011 Comments(6)
China certainly isn’t the only country in the world where foreigners are stared at, but it has to be one of the most extreme. Whether you’ve just arrived and are experiencing life as an eyeball magnet for the first time, or if the Chinese stares ...... Read More>>
Oct 11, 2011 Comments(9)
Goodbye, expat friend. Your bags are packed. Your flight is waiting. But are you sure you can leave China yet? Not so fast, hao pengyou. You've still got some unfinished business. “What business?” you ask, nervously checking your watch. Well, ...... Read More>>
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