Author Archives: bradleyjburgess

Having Kids in China, Part One: do as Much as you can yourself.

I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again. Having children is probably the only dynamic in life that is absolutely exhausting yet supremely joyful, a uniquely symbiotic paradigm. I know of nothing else like this. Work can be exhausting, but it doesn’t deliver the joy. Companies try to talk up their family culture butContinue reading “Having Kids in China, Part One: do as Much as you can yourself.”

The Good ole days of Real Name Cards

I remember many years ago negotiating a raise with a boss, trying to make a case for my increased value. I don’t remember what proof points I used to back up my case, but I remember this statement:  “No, you can’t really play the foreigner card on this.”  I don’t know why I remember thisContinue reading “The Good ole days of Real Name Cards”

Belonging and Identity: Being an Outsider

One of the things that continues to baffle me is the ratio between the rental cost and the price of purchase for an apartment in downtown Shanghai. It makes no financial sense to buy a place at the current prices nowadays. Consider, the price of the three-bedroom property we live in would sell for theContinue reading “Belonging and Identity: Being an Outsider”

Raising Mulan: Hands-on Parenting isn’t for Wimps

“There have been many tales of the great warrior, Mulan. But, ancestors, this one is mine. Here she is, a young shoot, all green…unaware of the blade.  If you had such a daughter, her chi, the boundless energy of life itself…speaking through her every motion… could you tell her that only a son could wieldContinue reading “Raising Mulan: Hands-on Parenting isn’t for Wimps”

“You’re Getting Fat”

“Bradley, you’ve gained weight again,” she pipes with high-pitched confidence and purely good intentions (at least I think). The elevator opens and she moves toward the break room, seizing a small square cloth to begin wiping the table.  Dejected once again, I walk past desks and desks of young and slim Chinese men and womenContinue reading ““You’re Getting Fat””

The Best Customer Service Experience I’ve had in China Happened Today 我在中国最好的客户服务经历发生在今天

Let me tell you about Richard. I don’t know his given Chinese name but it doesn’t really matter. Last year when adding me on WeChat, he told me his name was Richard and he calls me Mr. Wu anyway. That’s my Chinese name, using my wife’s family name for convenience (Wu Lei, surname first).  这是一个关于Richard的故事。我不知道他的中文名字，但这并不重要。去年在微信上加我的时候，他告诉我他的名字叫RichardContinue reading “The Best Customer Service Experience I’ve had in China Happened Today 我在中国最好的客户服务经历发生在今天”

Containing COVID China-style

Big data and cell phone apps, submitting paperwork, mandatory tests before entering the city…and, good old masks. A brisk walk through how China does it day-to-day. HI Parents! We are looking forward to starting our new semester on Monday! Here are some things to prepare:Before noon on Sunday, February 28th please send us your child’sContinue reading “Containing COVID China-style”