Culture Shock
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Understanding ‘Face’ in Chinese Culture: The Invisible Rulebook You Never Knew Existed
If you’ve ever asked a Chinese friend for honest feedback and gotten a polite smile instea…
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Indirect or Just Polite? Understanding Chinese Communication Style as a Foreigner
Ever asked a yes-or-no question in China and received an answer that left you more confuse…
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The Unwritten Rules of Gift-Giving in China: What to Bring, What to Avoid, and Why It Matters
If you’ve ever wondered whether to bring a gift when visiting someone in China, the answer…
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What Shocked Me About Chinese Work Culture: Meetings, Hierarchies, and ‘Face’
Before I moved to China, I thought “work culture” was pretty universal. You show up, do yo…
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Why Chinese People Don’t Say ‘I Love You’ (Even When They Mean It)
If you’re in China and waiting to hear “I love you” from your partner, friend, or ev…
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Why Chinese Hospitality Can Feel Overwhelming to Foreigners
Chinese hospitality is famous around the world — generous, warm, and full of delicious foo…
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What Is Considered Rude in China That Foreigners Often Do
When you first arrive in China, it’s easy to accidentally offend someone — not because you…
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Why Spitting in Public Is Still a Thing in China (And How to Deal With It)
When I first arrived in China, one of the most surprising things I noticed was people spit…
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Why Chinese People Ask Personal Questions (and How to Respond Without Offending Anyone)
Introduction You’ve just met someone in China, and within five minutes, they’ve asked you …
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Personal Space in China: Why People Stand So Close (and How to Handle It)
Introduction If you’ve recently arrived in China, one of the first things you might …
