Chinese are into drugging and poisons. It's in their literature, their tv shows and their medicine. Cowardly. Nasty. Pathetic. Full Comment>>

"Do bad things, but make them LOOK GOOD!" Full Comment>>

is De Spiegal an initation of the german Der Spiegel? Full Comment>>

Tsingtao, Yanjing, here I come. Helps me stay focused and ease tension! It's the goal of every bottle to gain admission, but my stomach can only process so much volume. Full Comment>>

Interesting story about Singaporese education history. I can only hope what you say is true. Unfortunately, I see parents, children and teaching staff uphold their rigid expectations of what education should be like. I can explain the values of creativity, independence and critical thinking ad nauseam, but they ... Full Comment>>

The creepy thing is: this probably happens all the time. It's just the fact that she was an IBM exec that made it worthy of the news at all. Full Comment>>

A damn shame indeed. Shame on this country. Humanity has been forgotten completely. What goes on in people's heads, if anything? They fear death, but don't see the correlation between helping others = helping yourself? Tragic. Full Comment>>

Conspicuous consumption must go on! Gas masks FTW! Why exactly is there so much pollution, again? Who cares! To the batmobile, Robin, and don't forget the afterburner!! Full Comment>>

Agreed. Locals don't appreciate what they've got here. I'm often mesmerized by the sceneries here in Sichuan. Just traveling to visit in-law relatives here in the countryside, I'm often exposed to lush, tree-filled hills, amazing river valleys and nature far beyond what I could've imagined. The Chinese people are ... Full Comment>>

"Not only are high levels of air pollution bad for the health of the capital’s citizens and their happiness, it is also bad for the international image of China as a whole." Was this in ascending order? Who cares if poor citizens are miserable and poisoned, but once the situation causes embarassment, ... Full Comment>>

This is one neighbour you don't want to live downwind from. Or downstream, for that matter. Full Comment>>

except for wasting police time, i wonder how this is punishable... by divorce..? Full Comment>>

BS. More popular than Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan or Spain? Let's ask Chinese international students (you'll find lots of them everywhere, paying exorbitant fees to NOT study in China) if they'd like to study in China. If they'd replaced "popular" with "affordable", I might ... Full Comment>>

Oh no, a single woman was turned down for a date based solely on her regional identity. It's happened before, and will happen again. Maybe the disadvantaged Dongguan women will try to sue the government? This is China. Full Comment>>

Beware the risks of using the rumour mill in this gullible gossip-country. This kid lit the fire and got burned - if rumour-peddlers always got their comeuppance like this, then society would look much better. Full Comment>>

I know China is proud to be an ancient civilization and all that, but does that preclude updating basic manners to modern levels? You can't act all caveman-like in a confined space like an airplane. Full Comment>>

The situation you describe is definitely not a typical teaching experience. I'm glad you found work at a school where you are valued for your skill rather than skin; it is the hope of many teachers to find such a place. Although I've heard worse tales about Shanghainese, it's safe to say they have more contact with ... Full Comment>>

I think the correct term would be endurance rather than strength. I'm perfectly willing to admit that black people have a lot more experience dealing with discrimination, so a white guy's bar of what constitutes an offense may be lower. Maybe since China is our first real experience with old-fashioned bigotry, that ... Full Comment>>

Very few women go into a relationship with plans of deception, so a polygraph is pointless. It's the unrealistic expectations that kill relationships, and Chinese women have those in abundance. Going on a blind date with 'certified rich' guys just adds another level to it all. A typical, smallminded concept for ... Full Comment>>

I'm in favour of enforcing No Smoking rules, but... Outdoors? Hand in lighter and smokes? OTT if true. Definitely a clash of prideful, misbehaving idiots on both ends. Full Comment>>

Very sweet. Hope she's for realsies. This guy has suffered enough, so with any luch, she won't be out to use him for attention and gratification. Full Comment>>

And, how was the meal? "Ma ma hu hu." Full Comment>>

I liked the Wikipedia article you linked to. I'm amazed to know there wasn't even a real set of traffic laws before 2004 - no wonder people here have little notion of the rule of law. Wikipedia is usually very cautious before making any statements, to avoid being biased or discriminatory. But Chinese driving seems ... Full Comment>>

Have fun experiencing China! Full Comment>>

Why'd you go into the cage? "It's an animal. It can be cooked and eaten with rice!" Full Comment>>