What would YOU say?

[cheekygal]

Couple weeks ago, a guy I know started insulting me over msn by saying
a) I don't deserve to be an English teacher since I don't have IELTS neither TEFL certificate that would say (for some reason - further gets even better!) I am qualified to SPEAK ENGLISH PROPERLY
b) I am not a Native speaker and so I shouldn't teach English
c) Only those who have no other talents come to China to teach English.
d) That all above makes me a *middle class* that consists of all long- and short-term English teachers in China

The guy was just picking on me cause he had nothing better to do. At first I tried to explain to him (ONCE AGAIN!) what it took me to be a teacher and in China especially. And then I just told him: "Well, since you think I have no other talent and so unworthy - why being friends with me at all?" Anyway, after I stopped replying, he finally said he missed me a bunch and was hoping for full attention. But that's another story.

So, it got me into thinking and a general wonderment: did anyone ever say anything similar to you? And what was/would be your reply to them?

[Hamish]

cheekygal said:

...what was/would be your reply to them?

I would smile and tell them to "Blow it out their ass."

Then I would seek other company.

[Mr Nobody]

Hamish is being too nice. Ridicule, then leave them lying in a pool of their own dung.

[Stil]

Tell him you can't be his friend anymore because you don't understand English and then forget about him. He attacks you then says he misses you? This is a little like a guy who beats his wife then tells her he loves her.

[Non-Dave]

Tell him he's right, you've quit your job, vowed to never speak anything but your mother tongue again and are packing your bags so you can move in with him and live off him for the rest of his natural life.

(Don't actually do this!)

[nolefan]

i really like Non-Dave's idea... Just send him one last sentence in English saying you were wrong and he's right then only write in ruski. that'll teach him

[Norbert Radd]

On messenger, can't you BLOCK someone? As for abusive relationships, it's not so easy changing anyone's mind and [shadow=red,left,300]even worse if you're married into one[/shadow]
As for English ability, as long as you teach the book, I'd say you're safe. Tell those one-up-man-ship types: Whenever students stump me, I say I'll get back to them tomorrow and go online and find a solution, just like any native speaker does

[Crippler]

Tell him that he is right! You work fewer hours than he does, have a better standard of living than the average middle class westerner and get to travel and see great sites. Damn hard job but someone has to do it and you are that someone.. Sort of makes you smarter than him doesn't it? Then tell him to go bother someone else! Or, you could just tell him to m'kay off!

[woza17]

A while back I posted on the forum about this prick that said my son and I should not teach English, over a grammar point. It turned out that he was wrong. I walked out of the restaurant told him that he was a very rude man or something like that. I really can't remember. Now this guy is a poo teacher and had to cut down on his drinking which lulled him into a false sense of security and he can't find jobs that he thinks he deserves because he has a PHD in some obsure thing that no one gives a poo a about and has nothing to do with teaching.
So what does this idiot know about teaching in China. bugger all.
Are you sure you are busy over the Summer, Summer camp hey darling.

[Jemair]

Hey, I have never had the dubious pleasure of someone like that but I have made spelling mistakes on the board which I suppose is a bad thing as the little kiddies are copying this stuff into their books. but I also can speak a little German as well as a little Latin but the sad thing is I speak little to no Chinese which in some cases is not a bad thing. Okay to the point; someone who picks apart something based on a point of grammar isn't worth the time of day as during my studies I have come accross several schools of thought specially when it comes to hanging participles, and transitive verbs; so what I am trying to say although you are right and he is or isn't wrong doesn't matter, its his attitude and irreverence for the English language and your ability to teach it. So punch him in the nose and walk away smiling knowing that you have saved thousands of children from his particular form of torture.

[George61]

Nice sentence!!

[con's fly is open]

What they said. The only people it ever occurs to to say "You don't deserve your fortune" are not doing as well as you and resent the fact.

[Jemair]

Oh one last thing, here is my favorite 'He was walking around the corner watching the race horse in his underpants' Whatta ya say thats gotta be the best?

[woza17]

Jemair your internet name sounds like a middle eastern airline, something like Ozair, sounds like an Australian airline. Don't mind me I have been drinking and just took the dog for a walk.
There was this little puppy so cute in the hairdressers and my dog played with it and then ran out of patience after 10 minutes and attacked it ,in a big brother way so I felt I should get a manicure to make up for my dog's rudeness but as they explained they actually don't do that it was a knocking shop.

Back to the topic, when I first met this character, my gut said difficult person. Watched him teach and he really doesn't connect with the students, those fixed smiles on the student's faces are just polite, they do not appreciate your condescending manner.

[gretch]

He sounds like one of the FT's here at my campus...A bitter, lifeless, resentful person who is envious of anyone who is not as low in life as he/she....or he could just be an all-round poo-hole

In either case...he's not worth the worry or even the time it took to type the complaint....

'em

[icebear]

If you've manage to hold down a teaching job without complaint I'd say that speaks for itself.

[uberzilla]

I am in just the right (serious) mood for this.

cheekygal said:

Couple weeks ago, a guy I know started insulting me over msn by saying
a)
b)
c)
d)
At first I tried to explain to him (ONCE AGAIN!)

Never explain more then once (except to clarify a couple of points).
The reason is this: A person coming at you this way, more then once, is attacking you.

cheekygal said:

And then I just told him: "Well, since you think I have no other talent and so unworthy - why being friends with me at all?"

A friend does not attack a friend.

cheekygal said:

Anyway, after I stopped replying, he finally said he missed me a bunch and was hoping for full attention. But that's another story.

Stil had this correct with the "wife beater" analogy. This person is seeking to control you by bringing you down. A person who actually cares about another (or is capable) does not try to tear them down.

If a person tries to assert something, that has no basis in reality, they only reveal their malevolent intentions.

As for you job. Doing something well has nothing to do with a piece of paper. It has yet to be demonstrated that any certificate or degree magically imbues it's owner with skills. Skill is skill; and the knowledge to be skillful is easily acquired, via formal channels, or self education.

Before I get anyone's nose out of joint, I offer three examples. Not all, but some (many) people like to use the degree system as a means of limiting competition. None of the individuals below should have been allowed to do what they did, or are doing, due to lack of certification or degree!

Leonardo Da vinci - art apprenticeship only

Thomas Edison - three months of formal education

Bill Gates - No degree, average student

[cheekygal]

well, I don't talk to the piperiche anymore. Especially because a week and a half ago, when I was approaching a bar, he was outside with some friends. He started yelling: "Oh here, comes the Russian. RUSSKY! Hey Russky" and other crap. I just ignored him completely. Why going down to the same level?
Poor thing can't tolerate that: he tried to engage a vitual conversation with me saying he will make it up by buying me a drink. I ignored him.
He called me *friend* but he just doesnt deserve to be called so by me

[woza17]

Gee Cheekygirl what a prick. Where is the bastard from? It reminds me of my high school kids when the boys or girls annoy each other I quietly explain to the person being annoyed is that they are doing this becasue they like you very much making sure the annoyer can hear.

I think the guy is in love

[cheekygal]

Brazil. And a son of a diplomate too.

[woza17]

Brazil, we have a lot of those arrogant bastards here and they are not loved by the locals. The Chinese detest them, even the nice ones have no idea how to communicate with the locals.

[Loops]

I really think you should just speak to him in Russian...call him whatever you want in Russian...you'll get double satisfaction....he won't understand AND you will have insulted him...I do it but in Hungarian...maybe you can also ask him what the fook he's doing in Beijing anyways...

If you still get pestered by this moron/child, call on Nobby or me and we'll go to Beijing on a leg-breaking mission for ya!!

In my country and in the US, his "people", latinos, clean toilets and are hired help...a point to ponder...

[cheekygal]

[acjade]

I'm hired help. I teach in China.

[mich]

I wouldn't even worry about him/her....if you're working and your happy, that is the main thing...who the hell are they to tell you what you are capable of?

You don't need people like that in your life!!! not if they're going to cause you that much stress.

get rid of people in your life that make you doubt yourself, and never ever justify yourself...