advice for a (Canadian)foreign devil

[Mick]

I just rolled into the site, pardners.

I'm a freelance journalist and graphic artist, as well as ESL teacher. I taught in Vietnam (hanoi) for a while, as well as brazil and the czech republic.

I'm interested in Suzhou, or anywhere really. I guess somewhere with some fresh air, not terribly polluted, and girls interested in foreign devils (hanoi definitely not recommended for this, unless you are rich, in which case the world is your oyster anyways)

also, i don't have my degree, so i'm not sure how that works. in vietnam one came on a tourist visa and bought a work permit from a travel agency, which arrived thru the back door ;0) i liked the facile nature of business there. the cultural dating climate not recommended for pale face big noses though. they still stone foreign devils with asian girlfriends in parts of vietnam (its in lonely planet, must be true). nice architecture though, very picturesque, if it weren't for the potentially fatal case of blue balls it would have been perfect.

i also liked the fact i could bicycle around the city without fear for my life. although that may have exacerbated the blue balls.

oh yeah, and work. there should be some work available in the potential city. and some access to a beach or ski hill or something like that, nature, that would be good.

are there any expats on the site or that anyone knows of that have happily relocated permanently in the PRC? there were a few in hanoi who had bars or restaurants, i guess in some kind of partnership with a local or had a married a local. it didn't matter how old or ugly you were if you had the dosh, the females would overlook social disapproval and the occasional stoning for the right price.

are there any thriving bohemian art scenes in china?

sorry if i've disoriented anyone with my rampant ADD


cheers
Mick
www.exotica.freeservers.com
www.portfolios.com/exotica

[Dr. Gonzo]

Welcome [again] Mick.
The PRC requires a degree in order for a foriegner to teach. There are many exceptions to prove that rule, so you can a] apply for jobs and see what comes up b] buy a fake parchment.
Actually, any tertiary type qual. will see you over the line: a diploma or associate would do the trick. Taking a TEFL certificate would be a worthwhile move. Recruiters [not recommended by the board] can be useful when all else fails. You'll likely find youself out in the sticks and the only Westerner in town if choosing this option though!

Location. Suzhou would be a fine choice. Apart from being the home of our Beloved Leader, Raoul, many other forumites subsist there. Numbers swell for the annual forum party each May Golden Week. Its very convenient to Shanghai [which I think has the art scene you're seeking], but lacks the frenetic traffic and constant thick haze. No beaches or hills near Suzhou though. Another attractive locale is Qingdao, which has a lovely beach.
NB Check out THE LINKS page here; it contains reviews of many cities.

Women. You'll think you've gone to heaven. True, some are after visas, but you'll find a wealth of attractive ladies who actually seem to prefer us foriegner types. I, and many males on the forum can vouch for that. You'll get some belligerent stares and comments from some people - mainly single males enjoying the benefits of China's "boys are best" philosophy and One Child Policy - but these can safely be sneered at, and I haven't heard of any stonings.

When China wakes up later on, you'll no doubt hear from some members who are long term residents and have no particular notion of where "home" is now.

[George61]

G'day Mick. Another Canaduck? Would you recommend Hanoi as a holiday spot? What are it's attractions?

[Raoul Duke]

Yup. 'Ceptin' the city threads are in the Library, not the Links page.
Welcome, Mick. Y'all do be sure and check out this man's artworks!

[George61]

Where are his artworks??

[Dr. Gonzo]

George, go back to bed for a while.
When you get up, click the links at the bottom on Mick's post.

Sorry about the links/library "confusion'. Maybe I should take my own advice.

[George61]

You're right, Gonz....I'm not awake yet.

[George61]

Yeah, verrry interesting Mick. The Hysteria dictionary I lile.

[gengrant]

welcome, Mick...some egg-sell-ent artwork. loved the cartoonies...

here's a couple 'Free Drink' coupons for yer drinking pleasure...

[Mick]

i have a TEFL cert.,the week long crash course kind. not sure if i still have it or not, no-one ever asked to actually see it where i went. are there risks involved with the imitation parchments? i have heard about Bangkok degrees, and seen some stuff online, i'd much rather deal with somebody face to face, and see the goods before i buy. but i don't relish travelling in a lovely democratic developing socialist paradise with anything that could get me in trouble. if they went all apepoo in korea, i guess it could happen in China, eh?

hanoi is a pretty cool place to check out if you are into old school Indochine. Actually, the film of that name inspired me to go. Ha Long Bay UNESCO site is a must see, nearby. My male Japanese executive students (married, of course) thought they were in heaven in Hanoi, with all the reasonably priced 'karaoke' and 'massage' and 'hair salon' hospitality. One student gave me his opinion re: Vietnamese girls, that on average, they were much better looking than Japanese girls, but didn't hit the high numbers, the 10s, like the best Japanese girls did. I think i would concur, from what i've seen (but i've never been to japan).

[Mick]

by the way, where do you change your password?

[Non-Dave]

Hi Mick, welcome to the boozer!

A TEFL cert should be fine, I wouldn't worry too much about getting an imitation parchment, you just don't need it. Experience and the TEFL will make you very welcome in most places (oh yeah, and your white face and Canaduck passport!)

About 3 lines down from the very top of the screen is "Profile". Click on it, then click on "Modify Profile" on the next screen and you'll see where you can change your password.

[Mick]

Thanks Non-Dave et al,
So is Suzhou your fave as well? When's a good time to come, i understand i missed out on some cheap flights around the beginning of the year, its a bit pricey from Toronto normally.
does one just come in on a tourist visa, like Vietnam, then play it from there? do schools tend to provide work visas or can you get them at tourist agencies like in Hanoi?
cheers
Mick

[Stil]

Hey Mick, good to have another Canadian in the bar. Watch your step, there are Aussies everywhere and if you're not careful you'll step on something (usually George)

Finding a not too polluted place in China is a little like finding a sober Irishman. Rumours abound but no one's actually seen one. (thought I found one yesterday, but I taught him the Chinese word for beer and it's all over now)

If you left Hanoi because of the girls, your going to be kicking yourself for not coming here sooner. I tell them I have no money at all and it helps weed out the money/visa chasers but while you hear a lot about that, in my experience it's not very common.

From what I heard of Suzhou it's quite nice but the streets are heavily polluted with empty tequila bottles many of which have a loawai still attached laying in a gutter.

Good luck man and have a beer
You want a 50, Blue maybe Molson's Canadian or an X how aboot a Moosehead.

[Raoul Duke]

's all true!
Best times to visit anywhere in China are Spring and Fall...May and October in Suzhou. I'm partial to October...the osmanthus trees bloom and the weather is getting cooler.

But if you're here for May you can join the Party!

[icebear]

stil said:

Good luck man and have a beer
You want a 50, Blue maybe Molson's Canadian or an X how aboot a Moosehead.

So long as it isn't a Lucky Lager he should be safe. I thought us Americans had some questionable beer! And the price they get away with for 12 in Calgary, its despicable.

[con's fly is open]

That's because you DO have despicable beer. World's best whiskey, though.

Mick, you can get work here in Suzhou, no problem. Go check the Jobs Offered board for starters. And yeah, Suzhou's all that- and less than an hour by train from Shanghai.

As to women, if an idiot like myself can get phone numbers, you've got no worries.

[George61]

if an idiot like myself can get phone numbers,

You can't have much fun with a phone number!!









sorry, Con

[con's fly is open]

You see, old bean, when you dial it, a girl you met answers it, and you make plans.

What am I doing? You probably remember a time before the telephone.

[George61]

18 posts to go, Con. and you will be like me.
Have you been collecting phone numbers on the sly? You dog, you.
I hope you get to play with more than the numbers soon.

[con's fly is open]

Nicest thing you've ever said to me, old bean. Your mouth to God's ears.

[George61]

Aw shucks, Con. I'm sure I've said nicer things than trying to lead you into temptation.

[Mick]

OK, how did my thread turn into this sloppy makeout session? and please close your fly, Con, this is a respectable joint, not one of your fern-laden sissy bars.
And no, I've never laid a fern and have no desire to try, although they do look deliciously green. I'm tolerant of herbosexuality, whatever gets you through the night, but can you really have a meaningful relationship with a plant? yes, we've all been the recipients of their come-heather looks, but there are rules, old boy.Tree-hugging is one thing, but...

Anyhoo, i would like to know if anyone has had any success just going in cold, or whether it is best to line up work in advance. Suzhou, or elsewhere.

[uberzilla]

Welcome fellow visual communication engineer.

mick said:

I just rolled into the site, pardners.

I'm a freelance journalist and graphic artist, as well as ESL teacher. I taught in Vietnam (hanoi) for a while, as well as brazil and the czech republic.

I agree that attractive oriental woman are very hot indeed, but aren't many of the Czech woman hot too?

I'm interested in Suzhou, or anywhere really. I guess somewhere with some fresh air, not terribly polluted, and girls interested in foreign devils (hanoi definitely not recommended for this, unless you are rich, in which case the world is your oyster anyways)

also, i don't have my degree, so i'm not sure how that works. in vietnam one came on a tourist visa and bought a work permit from a travel agency, which arrived thru the back door ;0) i liked the facile nature of business there. the cultural dating climate not recommended for pale face big noses though. they still stone foreign devils with asian girlfriends in parts of vietnam (its in lonely planet, must be true). nice architecture though, very picturesque, if it weren't for the potentially fatal case of blue balls it would have been perfect.

are there any expats on the site or that anyone knows of that have happily relocated permanently in the PRC? there were a few in hanoi who had bars or restaurants, i guess in some kind of partnership with a local or had a married a local. it didn't matter how old or ugly you were if you had the dosh, the females would overlook social disapproval and the occasional stoning for the right price.

[George61]

Sorry 'bout de Hijack, Mick. It was Con's fault.
A Communications Engineer? Good! Perhaps you can fix my phone.