General
Brother Orange and Matt – the incredible story of iFriends
We all ended up in China for one random reason or another, we’ve all got crazy “foreigner celebrity” stories — but Matt Stopera’s wins. Hands down.Read More
General
2014 Lost Laowai Holiday Charity Round-up
It’s that time of year again! Welcome to Lost Laowai’s holiday charity round-up. Whether you celebrate the holidays or not, we hope you will consider donating or volunteering your time to one of these China-focused charities. We think they are doing great work and we look forward to seeing what they will accomplish in 2015!Read More
General
Chasing the Chinese Dream
Growing up on the east coast of America in a typical Chinese family, I feel that I’ve come to a general understanding of how two different cultures can clash. Oftentimes I find myself at odds with family members and Chinese family friends alike who regularly voice thoughts and opinions that I just can’t 100% agree …Read More
Podcasts
Potcast: first-hand account on doing time in a Chinese jail
I’m not sure if it’s fitting or unseemly that I should be posting this today, April 20th, but here we are. A couple years back I remember reading about a foreigner who spent seven months in a Chinese jail. Other than a passing, “man that sucks,” I didn’t think much more about it. I certainly …Read More
China Expat Rants
On the Chinese vs. foreigner language wars
After my last post for Lost Laowai, where I expressed my annoyance with the irritating and pointless public announcements in Chinese public transport, I will now move on to another aspect of life in China which I find irritating: the tendency of the Chinese to address foreigners in English even when it would be easier …Read More
General
The Value of Life and Chinese Hypocrisy
Recently, a colleague at work told me this supposedly common Chinese phrase: 生活就åƒå¼ºå¥¸ï¼Œå¦‚果奋力åæŠ—æ— æµŽäºŽäº‹ï¼Œé‚£å°±èººä¸‹é™é™äº«å—å§. Roughly translated, this phrase in English is as follows: “Life is like rape. If you are unable to resist it, then you might as well lay back and enjoy it.†While this statement is typically used to describe situations where people are …Read More
General
Christmas Charities 2012
With American Thanksgiving just past, Christmas will be here before you know it. Instead of running around the Chinese countryside like crazy trying to find that perfect vintage Mao poster to mail home as a Christmas gift, consider donating to a China-focused charity on your loved one’s behalf this year. Here are some charities that …Read More
Fiction
The Blind Fortune Tellers (Lu Jun’s story)
They roamed the streets of her hometown, knocking their sticks along to lay a path in that endless shade. What they could not see with their eyes the cards showed them by touch. Lu Jun was little when her mother made them show her her future. They rambled on for awhile, illshapen words boiling down …Read More
General
On the “exodus of expats from China”
The debate initiated by Mark Kitto’s article for Prospect Magazine, “You will never be Chineseâ€, is showing little sign of dying down. Over the last couple of months we have seen more articles by well known expats explaining why they too are leaving the Middle Kingdom and replies by other expats explaining why they are …Read More
China Expat Life
Hot Lasagna? You can’t handle the hot lasagna!
Ah, it’s Laowai Crackdown season again. Time to cringe as we watch the latest laowai misbehavior on viral video and self-righteously point out that we would never ever think of acting like that. Time to feel a bit indignant about getting stopped and asked for our passports outside the bar because he didn’t stop anybody …Read More
China Expat Life
Killing me with kindness
They want to help. They really want to help. And whether you want it or not, they are going to help. It’s one of the best things about being in China, and one of the worst. There are always people around willing to lend a hand. And not just willing. They are determined. When we …Read More
China Expat Life
In Shanghai? Like cats? These folks need your help
I was recently contacted by Paw Pals Animal Rescue (PPAR) and asked if I could lend a hand in getting the word out about their organization to the foreigner community in Shanghai. The animal lover that I am, I’m more than happy to oblige. If you, or anyone you know is a cat lover and …Read More
