Winter Camps?

[Nate M]

Well, I'm getting paid over this holiday, so it's not like I really needed the money. I just really, really wanted it.

There might be a short 5 day camp going on in Tianjin that has reasonably good pay, but it sounds pretty iffy as to whether or not it is going to happen now. But really, what I think I need is to get the hell out of Tianjin for a couple of days and clear my head out. I'm open to any (*cheap*) suggestions people have. I'm thinking I'll probably just look for a hostel or two in random bumblem'kay Chinese town and take a train there for a few days.

[Hamish]

It means they will feel free to screw you.

Don't sign that part. Draw a line through it and place your initials in the margin.

That's my advice.

[woza17]

Hi Nate
I have just been down to the travel agents to fly there will cost 1300rmb plus maybe a taxi 200rmb to the city 50rmb to ;the airport 500rmb for someone to look after my dog and then I have to come back so I see it costing me 3000rmb in expenses all up and then I will only make 3000rmb.
Plus I have to share a room and I hate sharing rooms.
Anyway I have reconsidered and I am not going.
Nate I have just spoke to Odette and mentioned you here is her phone number I suggest you call her straight away if you are still interested 13901245054

[Hamish]

If you are sure you are not going, consider doing everyone a favor and telling them the reason you are not going to be there is the offending paragraph.

Just an idea. Your mileage may vary.

[Lager]

That paragraph does sound dodgy --will they give you MORE if the students all love you? HAH not likely-sounds can't win.

Nate if you don;t get it why not go to Shandong anyway? In both Taian and Qingdao I stayed in hotels next to the train stations for 150ish. You could even likely beat that.

[woza17]

I sent a really great e-mail but it got lost I blame gee gee he hates me talking to other men

[woza17]

Hi Nate
did you call her? The saga continues. My friend flew to Shandong this morning and when she called Odette she told her sorry, we have hired another teacher from Beijing so my friend has spent 1300 to get to Shandong and no job. My room mate rang the company just now and this (not Odette) woman told her that we were never offered the jobs (so why did they fax me the contract) but also said I had deferred but I recommended that they get in touch with you and that I had promised to put them in touch with you after 2 hours. What a head spin.
I will never ever discuss jobs again, even in passing.
If you can throw some light on this it would be appreciated. I always act with the best intentions but as you know they always lead to hell.
It seems I have been very lucky in China, never been screwed over by schools and avoided this one but it's not over yet. I will contact their NZ office.

[Nate M]

Well, after reading that little part in the contract they wanted you to sign, and given all the grief I'd already gotten from them, I decided that these guys probably weren't worth the hassle of trying to land a job, and thus declined to contact them.

With all that's transpired, they certainly seem like a bunch of m'kaywads, (pardon my French). Let me know how the contact with their NZ office goes. Does NZ have an equivalent of a Better Business Bureau? If so, it might be worthwhile to keep them in the back of your mind.

And of course, your friend is always welcome to come tell their story at my place.

[woza17]

I have a feeling the NZ office is a front to give some sort of credibility with the foreigners. But I will still call them. I knowI was not going to talk about jobs but this job in Dalian is still in the process, it is actually the Dalian Maritime University. The recruiter is American working from Shanghai. Has anyone heard of this Uni they have a decent website. The money is good 12000rmb and accommodation.