Job Discussion Forums

The Ever-changing Cleric · Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 719

The part about the military, current and ex, being a big family has a good deal of truth. its based on the camaraderie found in (mainly) army units. its a sense of teamwork and belonging you don't often find in the civilian world and its perhaps the thing that's missed most when one leaves the armed forces. i only connect with old army friends a couple of times a year, but i do miss it somewhat.

samhouston, some causes are worth fighting for. i know you know that, and i take your post above as the venting of some anger at US political leaders. At least that's what it looks like to me. at least some of your leaders (not the current one or the two before him) have actually served in the military.

in addition to the liars, thieves, and drunks the military has produced (these people probably had these habits before joining anyway), it's produced many more people who return to civilian life and have great success, and much of that is due to the discipline and work ethic one obtains while in the service.

Let me recommend a book here: "Legionnaire" by Simon Murray. It's an excellent book, and goes from his time in the Legion to his very successful return to civilian life, businessman (based in Hong Kong), and adventurer (oldest person to reach the South Pole unsupported).

I never expected to see so many ex military on this forum, and I've yet to meet any in my nearly six years in China, so if I have the chance to run into any of you, I'll take it.

killian · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 777 Location: liaoning, china

US Navy Seabee reporting for duty.

serving in the military and teaching english in asia both seemed like good ideas BEFORE getting the haircut...

cmknight · Joined: 29 Apr 2004 Posts: 30

theincredibleegg · Joined: 01 Jul 2008 Posts: 179

It sounds a bit too unbelievable that the guards would jump on you for that reason. Sure you got the whole story behind this?

Why write about it here anyway? Your employer gave you money for breaching the contract and the guards were placed elsewhere. Everything is in order.

Lobster · Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 1:10 pm Post subject:

I too think there's more to the story. It's quite unusual for a security guard to attack you for just walking past them. Why you'd even try is another question.

You could just phone someone and tell them about it or try to get someone to explain things. Maybe the beer was a factor?

Just wondering, seems so odd. In my 7+ years here I've never had a physical confrontation leading to blows, even though there have been some heated moments. I've shown up at a school and been refused entrance. I just said, "Fine, no problem, I just won't go to work and you can pay for the loss". I got in right quick.

How 3 guys like that can beat 2 laowai is beyond me, unless you're both really small.

Word of warning: Never turn your back here on somebody who's pissed off at you...never.

RED

living&learning · Joined: 26 Feb 2008 Posts: 96

Yeah, I often come into my campuses way past the witching hour. Guards are either asleep or give me the lazy eye. Something to gossip about the next day.

If they raised a hand to me there'd be hell to pay.

Guards aren't hired to beat on the foreign staff, they're hired to hassle students and, in the case of my uni, the hordes of tourists who come here.

The Ever-changing Cleric · Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 719

Lobster · Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 3:52 am Post subject:

Of course he wanted to get home. The idea is why walk by security guards who are obviously upset and have some reason to wish to deny you entrance? But of course you understood that, didn't you? Or maybe not...

Better spell it out for you.

RED

The Ever-changing Cleric · Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 719

Lobster · Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 4:04 am Post subject:

Pure speculation...on both our parts.

RED

chinatwin88 · Joined: 31 Aug 2009 Posts: 323 Location: Peking

It is a comradeship of past misery that is the bond. The curiosity of another’s service time and the interest in the difference between services and armies. I have found that ex service men in China are the friendliest and even more so if they know you have served as well.

Lobster · Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 4:17 am Post subject:

I understand, but I still don't appreciate the deliberate misinterpretation. It's snarky.

RED

cmknight · Joined: 29 Apr 2004 Posts: 30

Lobster,

The guard physically PUSHED me back outside the gate. I tried to pass by him and the other guards jumped on us. They saw two foreigners just walking in through the gate. It was dark. Even in daylight, these guys give you the meanest look imaginable. This school has no camera at the gate like most uni's do. I've seen them pushing the students around at night. They ARE physically abusive. The reasons for not fighting back? When you've cracked a vertebrae in your neck and have two dislocated shoulders from sports injuries, you ain't that strong. I kept fit before coming here with about 150 pushups a day, chinups, situps, etc. Now, with my shoulders screwed they way are, I'm lucky to be able to pump off 10. My best decision at the time was duck and cover.

If you have a problem with my story, that's your decision. After some of the stuff I've read on here, what happened to me was mild. Somewhere, there's an account of some guy getting the crap kicked out of him by a school's security in front of his wife and kids.

LoPresto · Joined: 27 Oct 2009 Posts: 41

The morale of the story is this - be friendly to "all" of the staff because you never know when you might need them.

Be honest - who reading this actually says "Good Morning" or whatever to any of the regular, "blue collar" workers on campus or in your office building?

From what I've seen where I live/work, no one but me. Of course, everyone is nice/flattering towards the office staff who "help" you make copies etc...

How difficult is it to simply acknowledge the staff? They seem to get a kick out of my trying to speak Chinese and always smile when they see me coming.

My advice to everyone is to say Hi or at least nod at the guards, maintenace men and cleaning ladies when you walk by. Better yet, stop and smoke a cigarette with the guards or bring them a couple bottles of beer around a holiday.

It has helped me a few times. Recently a cleaning lady arranged to get a classroom unlocked and a maintenance man fixed my blender, among other things.

Ariadne · Joined: 16 Jul 2004 Posts: 331

I always greet the security guards, cleaning ladies, and other teachers. They usually respond with a smile and a greeting or a wave. One thing I've noticed though is that I have to initiate the greetings.

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