By a CPJ Guest Blogger Among the first concerns a journalist may have on coming to China as a foreign correspondent is how to communicate with the Chinese people, the majority of whom do not speak a word of English. Finding a “news assistant” is usually the answer. I worked as a news assistant for more than five years, and I have seen how the … Continue reading News assistants in China: an invisible, important group
When I moved into my new shared apartment on Saturday, I was shocked by how messy the living room was. Honestly, one of the major reasons I chose to live here was because it was super clean when I visited it the previous Monday. I couldn’t figure out what turned my roommate into a slob until I saw our ayi (in Shanghai, we call cleaning … Continue reading Maid for dependence
Dear Fei, Congratulations on your new position in that multinational company that you have been longed for. Regarding your question on if you should give yourself an English name, I don’t think it’s necessary. First of all, how hard is it to remember or pronounce Fei? It’s simple and catchy. It’s much more unique and original than David, John, Jack or whatever names Chinese seem … Continue reading Keep Your Chinese name
Have you ever noticed that Chinese people would love to talk to a foreigner in English even though his English is broken or that foreigner can speak fluent Chinese or he’s not from an English speaking country? I just found out there is a term for that which is called English worship syndrome. Chinese education institution is keen on promoting English learning blindly. This foreign … Continue reading Cure the Disease of English Worship
We all have been there: a friend borrows $10 from us but never seems to have the cash available to pay you back. Weeks and weeks later, he buys a fancy car and shows it off in front of us. He has probably forgotten that $10 but the friendship has been damaged. By today’s standard, $10 is a small amount, but what if it … Continue reading Lending Money Ruins Friendship
When East Meets West 