The East Meets West section helps business professionals, expatriates and tourists appreciate Chinese culture and its dissimilarity with the West. Under the vast umbrella topic of cultural differences there is much to understand. In this section, our expert analysts – with professional experience worldwide and in China -- provide targeted articles and insights to help you understand the Chinese culture and to facilitate communication between the West and China.
Bathing in the StreetIn my modern Beijing apartment, we have an electric hot water heater in the bathroom. The hot water runs to the shower -- which has no stall, only a curtained off corner of the room with a drain – and the bathroom sink, but not to the kitchen.
Produce on WheelsEvery day farmers and migrant workers come in to China’s cities from the countryside.
Giving Cash GiftsMoney is a common gift in China, but one cannot simply fork over a few bills without thought to etiquette.
Back to SchoolAs always, September brings the beginning of a new academic year. Millions of fresh faced teenagers across the world leave home for the first time to start university. The nerves and excitement at the dawn of this new life stage are remembered for a lifetime.
Electricity, phone and gasWhen it is time to pay the electricity, phone and gas most people are used to getting a bill in their mailbox or just having money drawn from their accounts. If you are one of those people and are moving to China you’ve better read this.
