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- Shouting from the rooftops - would it help me learn Chinese? wp.me/pXs16-l7 10 months ago
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Monthly Archives: January 2011
Decorating your doorways
I am only just beginning to learn about the many customs surrounding the preparations and celebrations of Chunjie, the Spring Festival which heralds the Chinese New Year. One very important custom is to decorate the entrance doorway of your home … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Chinese calligraphy, Chinese festivals, Chinese New Year, Chunjie, Chunlian, CNY, Door Gods, doorways, Spring couplets, Spring Festival
1 Comment
Breathing easy again
I was warned that winter in Beijing was not for wimps. The warning has been partially true. So far this winter there has been no snow, hells bells there hasn’t even been a drop of rain. It has been relentlessly … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Air-O-Swiss, Beijing winter, dry air, dry skin, humidifiers, nosebleeds
2 Comments
Tangerines, Firecrackers and Red Envelopes
China is gearing up for Spring Festival – Chun Jie – which is the festival celebrating the Chinese New Year. This year, New Year’s Eve is the 2nd of February which is the first day of the 7 day public … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged chinese knots, chun jie, firecrackers, hong-bao, rabbits, red envelopes, Spring Festival, tangerine trees, Year of the rabbit
2 Comments
The Lost and Forgotten Languages of Shanghai by Ruiyan Xu
Language shapes us – how we communicate, how we express emotion, how we articulate our internal thoughts and feelings are an intrinsic part of who we are as individuals. To loose language is to loose our sense of self. This … Continue reading
Posted in Book reviews
Tagged Broca's aphasia, Chinese fiction, language, loss of language, Shanghai
1 Comment
Bunny Chow & Bobotie in Beijing
Today AMM and I took some friends out for Sunday Lunch. The restaurant we chose was not a typical Chinese dim sum restaurant, nor was it in one of the restaurants in the big 5 star hotels which offer special … Continue reading
Posted in Restaurant reviews
5 Comments
Thought for the day – signs in China lost in translation!
So think carefully when shaving, plucking eyebrows, having a Brazilian, or deciding on a tattoo! During the past months in China I have come across many public notices that seem hilarious to Westerners, so have decided that this picture will … Continue reading
Kowtowing to the Emperor
When you are in a restaurant in China, and the fuwuyuan (waiter/waitress) pours tea into the cups you’ll see many of the Chinese rap on the table with the knuckles of the index and middle fingers of one hand. I … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Chinese folklore, Chinese table manners, Emperor incognito, Kowtow, xiexie
3 Comments
新年快乐 – Xinnian Kuaile! – Happy New Year
I’m back in Beijing after a six week trip back to Blighty. The break was longer than originally planned as there were various family things to be sorted out. We wined and dined with friends in London, got the once-over … Continue reading
