I just wanted to share my story in case (like I was) there is another female expat out there looking for information on the experience of having an abortion in China. I was frantically searching the web for information on this when I found out I was pregnant here and found next to nothing, so maybe my story can help someone or put another worried expat at ease.
I found out I was pregnant while on May Day vacation …
The results of China's annual expat survey, conducted from September to December last year, are in. More than 175,000 expats participated in the survey via both online and offline voting.
The 10 cities were selected based on their performance in terms of policy and administration, as well as working and living environment for foreigners. Criteria required the cities be prefecture-level or above, and excluded Hong …
Our first few months in China were spent battling culture shock as I slogged through a haze of expat parties, dinners, and setting up house. I'll admit that I also competed with other wives in the endless search for the best deals on knockoff purses, tailored coats, and elaborate antique furniture. When I'd filled my closet and my house with pointless trinkets, I came to my senses and looked for something real to be …
Richard Brubaker recently wrote a poignant piece at All Roads Lead to China called "When the Ambulance Doesn't Come", in which he talks about the recent heart-breaking story of a 3-year-old British boy in Shanghai who died from injuries sustained when a partition at a restaurant fell on him.
Though the mother and restaurant owner rushed the boy to the nearest hospital, they were told by a security guard that t…
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 for both to speak Chinese.
This particular irritation is perhaps not shared by all the foreig…
In response to "What tips and tricks have you learned that have made it easier to live in China?" recently asked on Quora, long-time China expat and Beijing resident Kaiser Kuo dished out some fantastic advice -- his last one, quite possibly the toughest to follow, is my fav.
Stay tuned after Kaiser's advice for a couple items of my own, but really these pretty much nail it:
Read Quote of Kaiser Kuo's answer to…
I had a very what people might call “typical” Chinese-American upbringing; I spoke Chinese with my parents at home, unwillingly sat through two hours of Chinese school every week, ate moon cakes during the mid-Autumn festival and received red envelopes filled with money during Chinese New Year.
I also had my phases of wishing I was a “real” American rather than a Chinese-American, but I got over it in high school.…
Things are certainly escalating in regards to anti-Japanese protests due to China's ongoing dispute with Japan over the contested Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands. I've heard mention from a few people that more protests are likely planned for this weekend, and no doubt continuing after that. The following is a warning from the US Embassy for its citizens to avoid such events, as they can quickly turn violent.
In light …
Banking in China. Topped only by shopping the week before Spring Festival and pretty much any time spent at a post office; China's convoluted and largely archaic banking system is, at best, a torturous experience.
Long lines of clientele that seem downright surprised (and thus appropriately unprepared) to be banking at all; service with a smile ... and that's about it; a number calling system, if present and worki…
The Shanghaiist just posted about a near riot in Zhengzhou, Henan, a few days ago. The spark of the unrest was that a foreigner allegedly slapped and spit in the face of a Chinese woman.
A Caucasian man, appearing to be middle aged and sporting a Walmart brochure in the left breast pocket of his shirt, found himself surrounded by angry passersby as he sat holed up in the back seat of a BYD car. Many from the crowd…
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