Lost In Interpretation

Most American books about China are written by Americans who have visited, lived, or worked in China. The authors believe that their experiences are a slice of what Chinese culture truly is.



Lost In Interpretation: China Stories Told by a China Insider is not that type of book. Author Barbara Hong Li was born and raised in China but has lived and worked in the US for over twenty years, giving her a unique perspective on the similarities and differences between the two cultures. Barbara Hong Li takes questions that many Americans may have about China and reveals the history and culture surrounding the subject matter. Topics include:

How have US China relations got here today?Why are the Chinese viewed as secretive?Is Chinese food in American Chinese restaurants actually Chinese?Why do the Chinese drink hot water?What is the difference between the two languages of Mandarin and Cantonese?Why do Chinese parents pressure their adult children to get married?What are some of the cultural taboos in China?Is "Hong Bao," a red envelop containing money, a Chinese way to say thank you or a form of bribery?There have been cultural misunderstandings and misinformation about China for decades. Barbara Hong Li is on a mission to open doors between the two countries she loves. Lost In Interpretation is a step in that direction.