In 101 Stories for foreigners to Understand Chinese People, Yi and Bryan Ellis tell stories about their experiences living in China to introduce elements of Chinese culture, etiquette and interpersonal interaction.
When they moved from New York City to Shanghai three years ago, they read several guide books and thought they were prepared. But dozens of small yet significant cultural differences caught them by surprise!
Three years (and numerous faux pas, misunderstandings and misinterpretations) later, they have written this book to help readers benefit from their experiences. Their stories explain both the "what's" and the "why's" of Chinese customs, so that readers can better understand and appreciate the Chinese way of thinking and living. Often, what seems bizarre and strange at first makes perfect sense if you see it from a Chinese perspective. Yi and Bryan have enjoyed learning about Chinese culture and hope that the readers will enjoy this journey of discovery as well.