Today starts the Year of the Sheep and whether you are one who particular subscribes to the predictions of the year ahead or not, I find them quite interesting to learn about and it definitely gives us ‘laowai’ some insight into the superstitions of the land. In today’s show, I share the culminated findings of […]

If you’ve spent time in China or in Chinese communities over Spring Festival then you’ll know – it’s undeniably a time filled with tradition and the excitement and anticipation of visits home and time spent with relatives is almost tangible. For years, I never knew what all the hubbub was about. I didn’t have any […]

It’s no secret: gifts make China go ’round. As ‘laowai’, we can choose to play by the cultural norms of the land, or choose to dig our heels in and, well, not! There’s loads of grace to go around for the unknowing foreigner, but why choose to be that laowai if we don’t have to […]

It’s Chinese New Year week – get your red out and pick up some fireworks at the roadside stands! I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for some quality family time and for the hustle and bustle of China to go quiet for a few days. (Well, minus the fireworks of course!) Why cover […]