November 11th has now emerged as a new holiday dedicated to the singles in China. It essentially serves as an anti-Valentine's Day, and is the Chinese equivalent of Singles Awareness Day (SAD), during which those unhappily unattached commiserate in their single status. … [Read more...] about Happy Singles' Day
Chinese culture
(Letter from Joel) Understanding popular Chinese notions about “racism” (help me out here!)
I have a growing suspicion that the way many Chinese people understand the word "racism" (or "racist") is quite different from the way I use it. This causes communication problems because I use the term "racism" like most North Americans do, but my Chinese acquaintances react in ways that don't seem to make sense. Obviously there's a disconnect. I want to know why my … [Read more...] about (Letter from Joel) Understanding popular Chinese notions about “racism” (help me out here!)
Are Chinese racist or simply politically incorrect?
It's common knowledge that when it comes to racial remarks, Chinese people (and perhaps Asians in general) are not the most politically correct people in the world. We've had extended discussions about "racism" in China (see, e.g., Chocolate City post by Buxi). Recently, I came across an interesting article in Times Magazine (in relation to the U.S. Presidential politics) … [Read more...] about Are Chinese racist or simply politically incorrect?
(Letter from Joel) Cultural differences: Let’s be brutally honest…
Let's be brutally honest... it'll be both funny and enlightening! The reality of culture stress applies to any kind of foreigner anywhere, though obviously different people have different experiences. I have no doubt that Mainlanders in North America are just as easily annoyed by Western culture as Westerns living in China sometimes are by Chinese culture. I assume they … [Read more...] about (Letter from Joel) Cultural differences: Let’s be brutally honest…