Laughter Is the Best Medicine

It is commonplace for humans to resort to laughter to beat the blues of depression or fight back during tough phases in life. At such times, laughter is the best medicine. During the pandemic that brought the planet to a grinding halt, plenty of people indulged in watching funny TV shows or cartoons to boost ...

Raven Montmorency

A couple sitting in tall grass laughing.

Red Ink Taboo: Never Write Chinese Peoples’ Names Using Red Ink

In China, there is a big red ink taboo when it comes to writing other people’s names using red ink (pen). Let’s explore the reasons behind this. In ancient times, a death row criminal’s name was written in chicken blood, and later this evolved to being written in red ink. Thus, in all official records, the names of death sentence ...

Max Lu

In China, it is a big taboo to write other people’s names using red ink (pen).

Hanging Out in Warsaw Old Town: Bittersweet Memories

By Danny Walsh As I sat beneath a gazebo in Warsaw Old Town, my attention was taken by the water pump in the square.  This beautifully recreated little square is home to a few restaurants, as well as the odd street vendor, one of whom sold me a magnet. This entire place feels like history, ...

Danny Walsh

Warsaw Old Town Square.

Yellow in Chinese Culture Is Very Significant

The color yellow in Chinese culture is very significant. It is believed that all Chinese people are the descendants of the “Yellow Emperor,” the birthplace of Chinese culture was the Loess Plateau, a country of windblown “yellow earth,” the cradle of Chinese culture was located on the “Yellow River,” and the descendants of the Yan ...

David Jirard

A reclining buddha statue.