One of my goals this year is to learn and read more history, and One Billion Customers: Lessons from the Front Lines of Doing Business in China, is on my reading list. I just picked it up at the library yesterday and began reading it today. It’s reminded me of a number Chinese proverbs and sayings I learned while studying Mandarin Chinese in college (chi ku, or “eating bitterness,” is a very common one), as well as how Chinese philosophy is probably one of the most obvious reasons for a lot of the stupid beliefs my family has had – e.g., “emotions damage your body” (therefore, don’t show them!), “too much happiness hurts your spleen” (well, wouldn’t this explain a lot), and “suppress, suppress, suppress” (this should go without explanation). It’s almost like these philosophies pave the way to a miserable life. Or, maybe that’s just my white-washed American side speaking.