"In the right and Chinese way" - I love it. A local wouldn't even detect the sarcasm if you translated and explained it. Working in China is harder now, due to stricter government requirements. Stuff like "native English speakers only" is fairly rigid and discriminating to competent near-native ... Full Comment>>

Wait and see. If it's more than just hot air declarations from the government, it may be exactly what the country needs. Chinese go with the majority, so if you can convince enough people that corruption is too risky, then they may be forced to change their ways... Full Comment>>

This is a typical reaction displayed by 12-year old girls and the Chinese government: http://space.echinacities.com/239770/blog/detail/818 If there isn't someone to point the finger to, just make stuff up instead! I don't believe any unsubstantiated stories presented by the state media. And even if the bribes are ... Full Comment>>

Perhaps Chinese are most scared of their own youths, who are less thoroughly indoctrinated, often with access to foreign information sources, if only through translation. Maybe that's why they are forced to keep them in schools for such unreasonable hours, killing their childhood, and their spirit of curiosity. As ... Full Comment>>

Corruption is the norm in China. A woman's culture, adapted to family safety and stability rather than fairness and morality. If people only care about themselves and their families, then all they can think about is 'how to get the money'. Chinese are not well-known for their confidence or bravery, and it is this ... Full Comment>>

This story smells fishy. Full Comment>>

Ring tones are annoying, but what about the loud talking over the phone? It's like people are suddenly transported to another dimension, where their conversation partner is at the end of a long tunnel. They need to shout very loud to make sure they are heard, and completely forget where they are. All the while ... Full Comment>>

Right, that's the bias that exists within societies worldwide. But shouldn't uni be the place where these 'chosen ones' learn useful skills? In China, university is just aplace where exhausted kids who finished the oppressive primary and middle school programs are finally free from teacher/parent oversight, and can ... Full Comment>>

Well, since the primary responsibility of taking care of yourself is something that is mainly your own personal concern, it's not the place of a stranger to pass judgement, is it? Or do you feel that everyone who doesn't shower 3x/day and walk around in a monkey suit is some form of inferior life? "You are so ... Full Comment>>

One thing I don't excel at, is family values. I was never focused on serious family plans, but my wife and mother-in-law make up for those deficiencies. My savings go into our house, there will be a car as soon as we can afford one, and my baby Owen gets better care than I could ever hope for. I must acknowledge ... Full Comment>>

I'm hardly a hero. I'm going with the flow, and I should be more actively seeking a legal job. At them moment, I'm only applying to higher-end salary positions, while I should probably accept a hit to my budget in exchange for a legal visa. ANd I've heard of other teachers who teach classes of ONLY 3 year olds, with ... Full Comment>>

All of this is plausible, except the part where she safely has an abortion. Chinese government hospitals promote one-child policy, and I've heard many tales of women who went there for a government-funded abortion, but ended up unable to conceive for the rest of their lives. Even if the procedure is done ... Full Comment>>

The g can be edited out afterwards. This comment can't... :( Full Comment>>

From that perspective, a lot of nonsense jobs exist in the west, also to keep people off the streets. An employee cooped up in an office earning a passable salary is one less person on the streets with time to think of (possibly criminal) activities. They're copying the West's plan for building a safe society, and ... Full Comment>>

;-) It helps racially and culturally superior Chinese to understand why their country(wo)men would want to do such a thing. The reason is: They didn't!!! It may even have happened a few times, and it gets parrotted on as a shining beacon of hope for their contorted world views. Full Comment>>

Or if you're married, your Chinese family will get involved. Doesn't only happen to foreigners, but we sure are easy targets. Usually police are not involved, but rather a trip to the local hospital to perform health tests. If they are lenient, the 2 families involved will agree on a sum that's a bit high. If not, ... Full Comment>>

Why dogs? Cats are seen as useless and annoying, plus with their tendency to climb and explore, they are more easily killed by farmer's-mentality neighbours that see them as pests on their property. Maybe those 17 were the only living stray cats he could find. A brave and idealistic guy, that Chris. Although his ... Full Comment>>

I do. I studied Evolutionary Biology, with a minor in English language. I can and do tutor older children and adults 1-on-1, but the majority of what the training centre needs me for, is to do entertaining performances to 3-8 year old spoiled rich kids. Is it my fault that the system works this way? Hollow and ... Full Comment>>

I wish my mom showed as much consideration as yours. When I payed for her plane ticket here to see her grandson, she acted like royalty expecting to be waited on. When I explained that we're caring for a newborn baby, and she was brought here for Owen, she reacted like we had betrayed her trust and trapped her in a ... Full Comment>>

back in holland, i heard rumours from a turkish colleague that china massacred a whole city of ethnic minorities near the turkmenistan border. apparently it was in the international news, but since muslims are unpopular, it went by largely unnoticed. if the rumours are true, then china gets to play innocent victim ... Full Comment>>

so many people are given nonsense jobs. so many family members are bribed into a position at the gov't to ensure their family's position. but they are neither competent, nor have any meaningful responsibilities. the "dedicated" ones make up extra bureaucratic rules to profit finacially, but also to give ... Full Comment>>

it's possible that there may be bias on the part of the article translator, but keep in mind how hectic and disorderly chinese traffic can be at times. since we don't know the layout of the road where it occurred, it's hard to judge exactly how strange it was to go against traffic. as for the nonsense of no licence, ... Full Comment>>

your blogs are awesome. you should be writing comedy! Full Comment>>

I'd have to say that the sweeping generalizations and characterizations you made give an indication of what your own political leanings are. Personally, I value the principles of socialism within a democracy, but I was shocked how little of Marx's theories are present in China. Sometimes I feel like I'm living in a ... Full Comment>>

I've many times considered, but never gone through with it, doing an episode of sarcastic copying, to drive the message home that it's rude and idiotic to stare prolonged at strangers. Maybe drop my jaw wide open, and squint my eyes a bit, so it looks like i'm a moron who's just been punched in the face. If they ... Full Comment>>