Many countries have things they are widely recognized for, such as tulips in the Netherlands, the Eiffel Tower in France, and Carnival in Brazil. But there are also cultural intangibles that might not be as obvious but can be equally interesting. By way of greetings, Americans exchange hugs while Europeans prefer to kiss on the […]
Asia
36 Hours in Tokyo, Japan
Home to nearly 37 million people, Tokyo is the largest metropolitan area in the world. This megacity is packed with so many interesting attractions and fun things to do that you’d need several weeks to tick everything off the list. But for many travelers, especially those coming from far away, Tokyo is one stop of […]
China Couture: Having Clothes Made in Shanghai
Shopping in Shanghai can be surprisingly limited for those with a mid-range budget and Western tastes and sizes. Chinese boutiques are plentiful but are often stocked with a dizzying array of animal prints and sequins, not to mention the petite non-Western sizes. High-end global brands such as Prada and Gucci are well-represented and the city […]
Say What? The Best Chinglish from Two Years in China
One of the simple pleasures I enjoyed during my time in China was coming across delightfully confusing or inappropriate English translations, or Chinglish. Written Chinese can be very poetic and the intricate characters often convey more meaning than a direct English translation will allow. The garbled results and cultural miscues are guaranteed to make you […]
Chinese Words and Phrases for Foreigners
In my opinion, one of the top reasons Westerners are reluctant to travel to China is fear of the language barrier. The elaborate Chinese characters are awfully intimidating and the challenge of speaking and being understood might seem insurmountable. While I failed in my attempt to master the language, I did learn enough Mandarin to survive […]