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Browsing All Posts filed under »China«
Saving face or saving money?
Understanding what something’s worth is never as straightforward as it might be. Yes, there’s supply and demand, but there’s at least three extra dimensions in Beijing. Distance, Haggling and Face. Distance is a factor everywhere, of course, as convenience always comes at a premium – but when nipping to the shop at the next corner […]
The Dragon Smokes
August 13, 2012
It’s difficult on days like these to work out whether the fugg that has enveloped the whole of Beijing is due to pollution or simply the amount of cigarettes that nearly 1.4 billion people are able to get through in a day. And, believe me, some really do spend all day trying to get through […]
IKEA – with Chinese characteristics
August 6, 2012
Anyone trying to get to grips with modern China could do worse than head to IKEA in Beijing on a Saturday afternoon. Not only do they have one here (actually, they have 10 across a variety of cities with at least 2 more planned in the next couple of years) but, as might be expected […]
A Traditional British Summer – in Beijing
July 23, 2012
Sometimes it seems like a bit of a shame not being in England to join in the support during the Euros, Wimbledon, the Tour de France (well, we had to win something), the cricket and, of course, The Olympics. And, I guess that’s just bad luck. But for anyone concerned that I’ve been missing out […]
All the tea in China
June 8, 2012
For all the tea in China, you say? Alright then. Now I’ve been here a few weeks, that’s a deal I’m ready and willing to make. You see, I’ve always been very particular about my tea; a fact that any of my family and flat mates over the last few years will attest. In fact, […]
Chairman who?
June 1, 2012
Beijing is something of a popular spot for visiting dignitaries. Last week Jeremy Browne MP came along to the British Chamber of Commerce for a roundtable discussion about the current economic climate for doing business in Beijing. More green than brown as he listened to the latest survey results from BritCham, he seemed most impressed […]
Looking in the wrong direction
May 29, 2012
“Look in the opposite direction to the oncoming traffic” doesn’t sound like the best piece of advice you could give someone about to cross an eight lane road in the middle of Beijing, but it’s surprisingly effective. The theory is that by showing the oncoming traffic you’re not paying any attention, the onus is with […]
Chinese lessons: part II
May 22, 2012
And so it begins, in earnest. Chinese lessons. Official Chinese lessons. Not Chinese lessons in a park, on a bench, with whoever has decided to take it upon themselves to teach me the Mandarin for Beijing Duck this week. No, I’ve enrolled at The Hutong School in Sanlitun. A proper school, with a proper syllabus, […]
Country folk
May 18, 2012
Thirty adults. Fifteen kids. Three rustic dwellings. One pizza oven and a dog. The pizza oven was an unexpected addition (as was Dan Dan the dog) to what was a fantastic couple of days up at a small village near Simatai last weekend. Naturally, the pizza oven, not being indigenous to these parts*, was knocked […]
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An Unweeded Garden 
August 20, 2012
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