Don’t let your Chinese translation become a pain in the you-know-where
While searching for Chinese Jujubes on the internet, this seller stopped me in my tracks — and not because she’s offering a great product. I scratched my head, wondering if anyone would ever buy her “Chinese Jujube with Ass Glue.” We may laugh — but the real laugh is on the seller, whose unintentionally vulgar […]
Up in smoke: the role of tobacco in Chinese culture
As an avid nonsmoker, I was determined to have a smoke-free wedding in China. But my brother-in-law, Hao, had already bought one of the finest Chinese cigarette brands, and everyone in the family — even my mother-in-law — insisted on distributing them at the banquet. How can you ask your guests to refrain when you’re […]
Face Shopping: the role that “mianzi consumption” plays in consumer choice in China
When I walked into the wedding flower shop in Tonglu, China — my husband’s hometown — I knew exactly the kind of flowers I wanted: roses, just like the roses on my wedding dress. The shop owner, however, didn’t ask us what type of flowers we wanted. Instead, she asked us how much we were […]
The latest sign of Chinese pride? Tang-style clothing for the “average Wang” in China
Just yesterday, while doing a little post-nuptial shopping (in China, new couples also need new clothes), my husband and I came upon a typical store with the usual suspects for clothing. He and I were about to write the place off our list until I spied this red thing of beauty on the shelves, nestled […]
A very red summer reading list: books on marketing and business in China
In the spirit of “summer reading list” frenzy that signals the start of the season, I’m jumping on the bandwagon. Interested in learning more about business and marketing in China? Here’s a peek into what’s on my list for this summer and beyond. 1. One Billion Customers: Lessons from the Front Lines of Doing Business […]
Chinese weddings: the market for saying “I do” in the Middle Kingdom
When I say Chinese weddings are a topic dear to my heart, I write these words with a certain authority. As you read this, I will be putting the final touches on a ceremony to be held in Zhejiang Province early July. All the romance aside, let’s face it — weddings are big business. According […]
Five ways to tarnish your company’s image in China
1. Open a store at the Great Wall. We could learn a lot from Starbucks on this front. Their store in the Forbidden City has generated enough negative PR to warrant high-level government discussions on closing it for good. Why? Because the move was perceived as an imperialistic invasion into one of China’s most sacred […]
The appeal and illusion of foreign brands in China
Photo: Wal-Mart in China In China, Wal-Mart is synonymous with good quality and a pleasant shopping environment. It’s a far cry from the low quality – low price image prevalent among US consumers. And Wal-Mart isn’t the only one. Holiday Inn in China is often located in brilliantly decorated downtown high rises, instead of being […]