Just my san jiaos worth

[Jollyjunklass]

Hi Guys,

I am not sure where to post this so I will post it here. I would like to say this to newcomers who have never been to China. I'm not an expert, I have only been here for a year and some months. But, I think this may be important to newbies to China (by the way, Newbs if you read this, where are you?). I just finished emailing this little blurb to EL and thought that I should post it here.

This has been my experience since coming to China and I want to share it with everyone. For those of you who have been here for a while, let me know what you think.

There are some, absolutely beautiful places to see here, if you can handle the culture. Some people love the culture, some people hate it. I think one just needs an open mind and a sense of humour. Also, you don't take things personally in this country, in a way you have to have thick skin. This has been just my perception though. Another person's experience may be totally different, I think a lot of it depends on where you go. To me, that has been very important here.

This country is so diverse as are it's people, their mannerisms and their level (?) of kindness. So research and choose where you are going wisely, base it on your personality and what you like to do in your spare time. Some areas can be a real drag, and some can be very exciting. Some schools can really suck, with strict rules and poo accommodations, whereas other schools may be exact opposite.

I feel very sorry for some people who come here and get stuck in a poo environment, as a result they leave with the impression that China sucks...they don't (in my opinion) give it a reasonable chance. They don't travel around enough, so they leave with a bad taste in their mouths.

For instance, where I am now. I was desperate this summer, due to an injury that slowed me down, and I had to make some quick decisions related to my choice of employment. So I basically took the first thing I was offered and ended up here.

Last year our school had 8 foreign teachers, well English anyways,only 1 teacher claimed to like it while the rest couldn't stand it. We all loved our accommodations, as they were brand new, and the hours were great and the administration OK, but in my opinion and in the opinion of others, the city sucked as did some of the rude people we often ran into. Many things were backwards there IE. traffic (everyday felt like your last day just trying to cross a street), thugs, rude service people, jumping the Queu, etc.... However, although these teachers bitched on a daily basis and claimed to hate the place 5 of them remained behind for this reason or that reason, only one of which I completely understood (discrimination, therefore difficult for him to get a job elsewhere).

This year there are three other foreign teachers here and two despise it, while the other is in love with China

I can understand why. This is the first place in China (well two of them) they have been to and the people here are not too friendly or accommodating, nor is there anything to do here. The school and the city have nothing to offer in the form of entertainment. Many other small, but everyday, things also suck around here, none of which I should I discuss while I'm here. These teachers have a very bad first impression and had this of been my first introduction to China, I too would have hated it here. I beg them to give China a chance and ask them to tour around a bit, even take the few hours it takes to visit Hangzhou or Suzhou, I tell them they are just experiencing a bad area and perhaps, a not so friendly administration. I try to express the fact that not all of China is like this. For some reason they don't hear me and have no desire to find out either. They just want to get the hell out as fast as they can. It's a pity (lol, as the Chinese would say).

I truly wish I could hand them just a little of what I have experienced if only to get them to change their minds. They are nice people but they have a crappy perception of China and think all Chinese are rude, unfriendly and well many of you may know what I mean.

Because I really care for these people it bothers me that they feel this way, they will also be going back to their countries to share their experiences here and , unfortunately they will not be saying good things. This saddens me, but hey, what can I do.

Therefore my suggestion to the newbies is to research, research, research the area you will come to. I did a lot of research before I came and it didn't help, but that is because I took the advice of someone who has a much different personality than I do. I should have followed my instinct. (Nothing against the person I took the advice from). I was lucky due to the fact that I only worked two days a week and spent the other days traveling around, so I was able to learn more of this crazy culture and meet very diverse people.

A lot of people may think that I researched too much, but I still think it's a good idea because I found a lot of areas of interest, during my research, and have since been to many of these areas. when you research try to choose a place that suits your personality type. Think of what you like to do for entertainment; what type of weather you enjoy; do you like the country or the city; do you like modernity or are you into history;are you a loner or not a loner; are you down to earth or a bit uppity; how much importance do you place on cleanliness and health issues; what like to do for the nightlife and so on and so on.

Where you choose to land can make a world of difference, so like I said, this is just my san jiaos worth, but choose wisely.

[AMonk]

A-Men.

[Lotus Eater]

You really, really need to assess how adaptable you are as well. Do you take a while to settle in to new places, do you find making friends hard (how much harder will it be in a language you don't know?), are you fairly set in your ways, like your routines etc?

Culture shock can be well .. shocking, and unless you are able to let an awful lot of stuff that is different pass you by without fuss then you are going to find it hard to come to terms with this place.

But .. if you can fall in love with it - then you are in for the ride of your life! China can be absolute magic!!

[mich]

Expect the unexpected..

Be over-prepared.

Remember, the culture in another country isn't designed to make foreigners comfortable.

You will be called a 'lawai'. You will be stared at. You will have complete strangers come up to you and 'want to practice their english'. You will have people follow you. You will have people touch you. You will have people stare and point. You may even have some people take photographs of you whether you like it or not.

The people here WILL NOT understand your sense of humor, nor to they hear sarcasm.

Everything here is very 'last minute'. If you are the type of person who likes to know what's going on, or likes to be organised, rethink this country.

It is crowded. People will push and shove, bump into you without saying sorry and jump ques...just remember you'll be fine it you remember, 'when in Rome...'

If your accustomed to having your gas, telephone, internet, electicity and water all working at the same time...you might want to break that habit. (don't even start me on the week I've had regarding my utilites!!!!)

The food here WILL give you the runs. You will have strange food shoved in your face, or put into your bowl...take a deep breath and try it...my experiences have included, rabbit, goat, dog, chicken and duck heads, chickens blood and snails.

And always remember, if you think you will laugh about it in ten years time, then it's funny enough to laugh about now.

[hankuh]

JJL,

Thank you for setting the record straight; I found your posting incredibly reasonable, equally practical, and above all, sensible. I particularly liked your insight about the different places in China, that how these different places can often dictate a good experience versus a bad experience, and how they can and will either leave a good memory or a sour bitter bile in one's throat.

One of my big gripes was when a foreigner, yes it's always a foreigner for some reason, tries to assume that China is the same all over, and when he or she does, it really tells a lot about his or her own sensibility and his or her great need to adhere to a deluded perception. China is not the same in different locations--there are many variables involved. Some places as you pointed out are rude and nasty and maybe even unsafe; others, are more conducive to a good experience. There may be commonalities in the culture itself, but some locations do vary, particularly in the extent of western influence, and their exposure to foreigners. Also, inevitably, the experience itself is tied into the own foreigner's persona of likes and dislikes, and to the degrees that he or she can deal with the dislikes.

I found Suzhou remarkably different than where I was for five years, and a much better place, as did my wife. Sure, there were some offensive behavioral patterns by a few Chinese there that were similiar to my own city of residence for five years, but overall, such behavior was comparably much less.

My biggest regret was not leaving that crap city a lot sooner than I did. I didn't choose wisely, although I certainly did a great wealth of research about the place, but at that time, the internet knowledge and data about teaching in China was rather limited, and like many probably before me, I believed in the Pearl Buck philosophy of making a difference by going to a city in the sticks. Looking back now, I feel I was a chump. I played into being a chump, and as a result, I got burned like a chump.

I declare this posting by JJL a damn sensibly good one! It should go into the forum library, and I thank JJL for it.

[Escaped Lunatic]

Thanks to everyone for all the good advice.

>and a sense of humour

But everyone knows I'm such a bland and humorless person who takes everything so seriously. How would I even go about acquiring a sense of humor.

>everyday felt like your last day just trying to cross a street

Sounds just like like Italy. I finally figured out that the only people that traffic would give way for were priests and nuns - so I'd shadow them through the crosswalks.

>Therefore my suggestion to the newbies is to research, research, research the area you will come to.

Won't that ruin all the fun surprises???


>You really, really need to assess how adaptable you are as well. Do you take a while to settle in to new places, do you find making friends hard (how much harder will it be in a language you don't know?), are you fairly set in your ways, like your routines etc?

and

>Everything here is very 'last minute'. If you are the type of person who likes to know what's going on, or likes to be organised, rethink this country.

How should I put this? . . . I thrive in a fractal environment.

>Culture shock can be well .. shocking, and unless you are able to let an awful lot of stuff that is different pass you by without fuss then you are going to find it hard to come to terms with this place. But .. if you can fall in love with it - then you are in for the ride of your life! China can be absolute magic!!

I fully expect to whine pitiously about a few odds and ends (How can ANY civilized country not carry reduced fat CheeseIts!?! ), but I truly believe the hardest part of this whole expedition will be leaving China when it's time to return home.

>Be over-prepared.

Hee hee! I'm the guy who showed up for a 5 week workshop in the desert (where frugality was a major theme) driving an SUV jammed full of supplies. Other workshoppers would mention something they wish they'd brought and I almost invariably responded "I've got that in my tent."

Since I'm going to one of the best retail zones in All Under Heaven, I don't think I'll need to go quite that far on this trip.

>You will be stared at.

I'm used to that. I'm far more likely to be put off by being ignored.

>my experiences have included, rabbit, goat, dog, chicken and duck heads, chickens blood and snails.

I gotta draw the line at cat and dog. My cats and dogs here at home would think of me as a cannibal. Beyond that, I'm quite open to negotiation. So, what does civet really taste like? Can any of you Hogans find me some roo steak?




"I don't camp. I colonize."
- allegedly muttered by a certain Lunatic as he carried the 12th load of stuff from the SUV to his tent.

[mich]

I ate dog by accident. I have now learned, 'Never ask what the meat is.' just eat it.


And kangaroo isn't too bad...must be cooked to medium rare at the most though.

[Lone Traveller]

I gave myself only one rule before leaving for China :

Don't tell me what it is, and I'll eat it.

This has lead me to accidentally eat dog. (Oops! Poor Benji ). I've also experienced inch thick slices of pig skin, roosters comb, whole frogs (they didn't have to tell me what this one was... it's beady little eyes were staring at me from the plate - I just closed my eyes and went for it, stifling the shudders my body was making - eeew - bad memories ), pidgeon..... the list goes on.

I've only been in China for 9months but have lived in two cities now. And I have to say that I've been so lucky. I have the worlds greatest assistant, and I've been lucky enough to be in cities where the people are so incredibly friendly and warm. I still experienced culture shock when I first arrived, which for me lasted for about a month. Now I love the country.

You're definitely correct in that the places you live and the people you meet have everything to do with weather or not you love the country!

[Mattholomew]

Adaptability is absolutely crucial in China. People who are persnickety about food, can't stand smoke, are put off royally by perceived slights, and are depressed easily by gray skies don't usually last long.

Definitely travel and see the country; you may find a place you like better than where you've moved to. China's a richly varied place so there should be something that suits everyone. That being said, sometimes the small, random places end up being the most endearing. I spent my first year in a dull, unattractive city in northeastern Jiangsu Province and ended up enjoying myself very much.

Also: if you're in China and feel a bit out-of-sorts, take a holiday to a foreign place (Thailand, Laos, etc.) and recharge your batteries.

[icebear]

All of it rings true. I'm new to this game but I get the feeling that you'll find teachers squeezing lemons no matter where you are working, along with those that are having a blast.

The best point is to research to no end. I did a serious amount of reading among a wide variety of sources, both online and off, on tons of angles from expat communities to teaching to risks to culture to entertainment to weather to pollution to... and I'm 99% satisfied with where I ended up. The only improvement would be living deeper in the city, but that can be solved next year if I decide to stay. Besides that all of my expectations have been met and exceeded. So yea, research research research and be honest with yourself about the decisions you're making.

[con's fly is open]

Insulate or integrate. I've discovered that the new FT's my kindie hired basically hide in their rooms and order in pizzas. To enjoy this country you have to investigate it tremendously, everything from citites and jobs to the best discount jiaozi joint.

Wanna good life here? Build it.

[Ruth]

Wise, wise advice Con I like the alliteration of insulate or integrate. Too bad the new FTs are being hermits. And you have a GREAT jiaozi joint just around the corner (if you haven't moved).

[Lotus Eater]

China is not for everybody. Some people have an amazing time here. Others - and it can be through no fault of their own - have a horrible time. Others have a bad time because they won't try to adapt and expect China to be like home, just with different looking people who will do quaint things to entertain them. From limited observation, the ones who find it hardest to adapt are the ones who expect the Chinese to be grateful that they have come to uplift them from their ignorance! For some reason or another, the Chinese don't see it this way.

Researching is good, but I feel that sometimes it doesn't matter where they are or how much research they have done. If they find it fascinating, then they will find stuff to do and friends to make. If they come for the wrong reasons or with the 'imperialist' attitudes, then the best city in the world isn't going to make them happy.

I think we need to hear from both people who have had a bad time here - to learn to look out for the things that can go wrong - as well as the people who have had a great time - to learn maybe how to go with the flow. Together you could get a better balanced view. Only one view - good or bad - doesn't present "two sides of the coin".

[AMonk]

The isolation factor isn't confined to PRC, either.

I have observed that many members of our local expat community (cops, accountants, teachers, etc) stick together in little ExPat conclaves. They moan and bewail the "lack of amentities" that they're used to (sky-diving, hunting, Walmart), and they descry anything/anyone who tries to interest them in any new activity or scenario.

It gets so bad, that I've often wanted to say, "Well. Go home, then!" Makes me wonder why they ever left , in the first place.

Then there are the Others. The ones who fit in, contribute and are welcome anywhere/everywhere by anyone/everyone.

[Lone Traveller]

This is exactly the reason why I'm glad I was on my own when I first arrived in China.

Sometimes other peoples impressions/feelings can rub off on you and influence your own perception of a place. I was the only foreigner in a town of 15,000. This was also my first teaching gig so, absolutely everything was new to me. But being on my own gave me an incredible opportunity to make up my own mind without any outside influences. I'm so grateful for it.

The verdict: I love this country.

[Crippler]

lone said:

I was the only foreigner in a town of 15,000.

The verdict: I love this country.

15,000? I think my apartment complex has more than that!

[Lone Traveller]

hehe - I know.... I think the school I'm at now has more people than that whole town put together.

It's a place called Nenjiang - on the border of Mongolia. Not even a speck on the map. I had to do a lot of searching to even find it. But I loved it. ;D

L.T

[Lotus Eater]

Sounds like my sort of town! Having plenty of other foreigners around can also isolate you from China. You don't have to get out there and learn the language, you always have others to do stuff with, speak English with. You can easily miss creating Chinese friends and taking part in daily "Chinese' life.

Having plenty of foreigners around can also ease your transition into China - but .. then you need to figure out what it is that you really came for. Did you come to have fun, earn a bit of money and have a good holiday? Did you come because you really wanted to become invovled in Chinese culture and understand it?

Different reasons will generate different ways of choosing a place to work.

[Eagle's Nest]

And with all of these reasons covering a multitude of possibilities, most are good reasons. Only a few come for the wrong reasons - usually morally or ethically wrong no matter where one finds oneself in this world. Here's a toast to the experience of China! I'm loving it!