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Ask Mei

Questions about Chinese culture

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Why is the Spring Festival Gala the show Chinese love to hate?
Feb 12, 2016 (WiC 313)

As most of Week in China’s readers know, the world’s most watched live TV programme Chunwan 春晚 or the Spring Festival Gala on CCTV is tightly controlled and scripted by the central government. So every year the show receives maximum ...

How are the Chinese making light of the stock market turmoil?
Jan 15, 2016 (WiC 309)

Last week’s circuit breaker saga in the China A-share market provided ample material for the ever growing internet humour that flourishes in the otherwise heavily policed public domain in China. As a sequel to my last column of 2015, I’d like ...

Are Chinese netizens witty?
Dec 11, 2015 (WiC 307)

Most Westerners think we Chinese are too serious, lacking emotions and a sense of humour. Many also think that due to tight government control of the media, it is hard to see the type of political satire that is prevalent in the West.

A Kungfu Panda statue beside a 3rd-century temple
Nov 27, 2015 (WiC 305)

During a recent trip to Chengdu, which is one of my favourite cities in China, I stayed at a brand new five-star hotel that combines the best of traditional Chinese architecture with the most sophisticated modern comfort. One early morning, I ...

What are the basic rules for gift-giving in China?
Sep 18, 2015 (WiC 296)

Gift-giving or Song Li 送礼 is a ritual that’s as essential as eating and breathing in China. However, we Chinese normally don’t give gifts just for the sake of doing so. We often have other motives, which can probably be categorised as the ...

Why do drinkers finger-tap the table?
Sep 11, 2015 (WiC 295)

When I dine with my Chinese friends and colleagues, they often tap the table with their fingers when being served tea or wine. What does that mean?

Some of the Chinese equivalents of Alexander the Great and Winston Churchill
Sep 4, 2015 (WiC 294)

There are a lot of historical heroes in the West such as Alexander the Great, Leonardo Da Vinci, George Washington, Winston Churchill, etc. Who are some of the Chinese equivalent?

China's love-hate relationship with Japan
Jul 3, 2015 (WiC 288)

What do the Chinese think of the Japanese? On the one hand, we see anti-Japanese rhetoric in the press all the time. On the other hand, we read about record number of Chinese flocking to Japan to shop. (British reader, London)

Drinking rules at a Chinese banquet
Jun 19, 2015 (WiC 286)

I find the Chinese banquet etiquette can be too confusing. Can you explain the essential points? (British reader in HK)

Where are all the old buildings?
Jun 12, 2015 (WiC 285)

The Chinese pride themselves on being an ancient civilisation. But you can hardly see any old buildings in their cities. China is all modern and glittering. How did this happen?

Older »

1 2 3 45 6

« Newer

Ask Mei

Questions about Chinese culture

Are Chinese netizens witty? Dec 11, 2015 (WiC 307) Most Westerners think we Chinese are too serious, lacking emotions and a sense of humour. Many also think that due to tight government control of the media, it is hard to see the type of political satire that is prevalent in the West.

Why do drinkers finger-tap the table? Sep 11, 2015 (WiC 295) When I dine with my Chinese friends and colleagues, they often tap the table with their fingers when being served tea or wine. What does that mean?

Some of the Chinese equivalents of Alexander the Great and Winston Churchill Sep 4, 2015 (WiC 294) There are a lot of historical heroes in the West such as Alexander the Great, Leonardo Da Vinci, George Washington, Winston Churchill, etc. Who are some of the Chinese equivalent?

China's love-hate relationship with Japan Jul 3, 2015 (WiC 288) What do the Chinese think of the Japanese? On the one hand, we see anti-Japanese rhetoric in the press all the time. On the other hand, we read about record number of Chinese flocking to Japan to shop. (British reader, London)

Drinking rules at a Chinese banquet Jun 19, 2015 (WiC 286) I find the Chinese banquet etiquette can be too confusing. Can you explain the essential points? (British reader in HK)

Where are all the old buildings? Jun 12, 2015 (WiC 285) The Chinese pride themselves on being an ancient civilisation. But you can hardly see any old buildings in their cities. China is all modern and glittering. How did this happen?