The Oyster Pail

'The Oyster Pail' is an expatriate's take on Shanghai life. Expect candid dialogue and sincere reflection, set to the backdrop of this unique city.

Opinion

Dear Santa, a(nother) word about your performance

I've given up on the idea of well-mannered dogs or socks with sex appeal. But home is something I cannot let go of. Because home is central to the human experience.

34m 0

Opinion

Atheism 2.0: blessing 2023 with new faith

The guidance and rules look comforting at a distance. But there's another way that doesn't cast non-believers into a spiritual wasteland between Starbucks and Tabao.

2022-12-17 12:35 0

Opinion

Words kill: the dangerous language of gender-based violence

Gender-based violence isn't just violence. It's directed and purposeful, with roots deep in society that maintain inequality.

2022-12-10 15:46 0

Opinion

Camping in the gray zone: a case against black and white mentality

Take any significant part of life and paint it a color. It's gray. It's gray because anything meaningful is complicated, and any other shade will paint a different picture.

2022-11-26 09:57 0

Opinion

What do you weigh? How (and why) I lost a stone in Huangshan

We're all packing something we don't want or need. Whatever the thing is, there's no good or growth. It's a load on our back and a pressure around our hearts.

2022-11-18 17:55 0

Opinion

Not a travel diary: Shanghai's mangled columnist goes home

I'm leaving Shanghai. Not for good, just for a bit, and I want you to come with me. Why? Because I'm not the only human to ever get mangled.

2022-11-11 14:37 0

Opinion

Dear Santa: a word about your performance

Santa, I need to go home. Not forever, god no! Just for a bit.

2021-12-24 20:42 0

Opinion

Christmas miracle: Gifts from Shanghai's inspiring entrepreneurs

Swapping sock-shaped bags full of gifts is the best bit of Christmas morning. Here are a few stocking fillers under 200 yuan, made by some of Shanghai's inspiring entrepreneurs.

2021-12-10 18:37 0

Opinion

A very British Thanksgiving in Shanghai

Next week is Thanksgiving. As a Brit, the fourth Thursday in November means as much to me as any other date. But it matters to many people in our international community.

2021-11-19 18:54 0

Opinion

Seriously, shut up about your first-world issues

Mankind (and its misery) being split into three dates to the 1950s. Until now I've found the phrase kind of funny. But lately, I've got several problems with first-world issues.

2021-11-12 18:45 0

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The Oyster Pail

Dear Santa, a(nother) word about your performance

Atheism 2.0: blessing 2023 with new faith

Words kill: the dangerous language of gender-based violence

Camping in the gray zone: a case against black and white mentality

What do you weigh? How (and why) I lost a stone in Huangshan

Not a travel diary: Shanghai's mangled columnist goes home

Dear Santa: a word about your performance

Christmas miracle: Gifts from Shanghai's inspiring entrepreneurs

A very British Thanksgiving in Shanghai

Seriously, shut up about your first-world issues

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The Oyster Pail

Dear Santa, a(nother) word about your performance

Atheism 2.0: blessing 2023 with new faith

Words kill: the dangerous language of gender-based violence

Camping in the gray zone: a case against black and white mentality

What do you weigh? How (and why) I lost a stone in Huangshan

Not a travel diary: Shanghai's mangled columnist goes home

Dear Santa: a word about your performance

Christmas miracle: Gifts from Shanghai's inspiring entrepreneurs

A very British Thanksgiving in Shanghai

Seriously, shut up about your first-world issues

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