China Anecdotes and Antidotes
Life in China is difficult to characterize as the Middle Kingdom is a land of extremes. Depending on which snapshot you take of Chinese life, you might think China is an underdeveloped nation or among the most modern, a hard-line Communist regime or the most capitalistic society on earth. In some respects Chinese life is not all that dissimilar to American life and in others I cannot imagine a more different culture. My only qualification for commenting on life in China is that I have lived here since October of 2001. Below are accounts of some of my more memorable experiences in the People's Republic that I think may prove useful or amusing to anyone familiar with China or hoping to become so.
No, I like Chinese people; I just hate Chinese tourists. (June 17, 2004)
The "Real" China (June 16, 2004)
The Development of Xishuangbanna (April 17, 2004)
Culture as a Rhythm (August 26, 2003)
The Chinese Social Dinner Ritual (August 26, 2003)