Job Discussion Forums

struelle · Joined: 16 May 2003 Posts: 2372 Location: Shanghai

Well not exactly, but a few days ago I went out for dinner with the English Department and we had a conversation that went like this:

Teacher 1: So, we've heard you'll be leaving our school.
Me: Yes, I'll be finished on June 30.
Teacher 2: That's too bad, we'll miss you.
Me: Likewise.
Teacher 3: By the way, do you know that <FAO> has gone to America to visit her son for 6 months?
Me: Huh? She told me last week she'd leave in July. But I had no idea she took off so soon.
Teacher 1: She took the plane yesterday.
Me: So quickly!
Teacher 3: Yes, and apparently she didn't even say goodbye to you.
Me: Unbelievable. How could she do this?

I could be cheering that she's gone forever, but this is quite a letdown considering how much I tried to keep up a good relationship. To be frank, I tried to please her (kiss a.s.s. more likely) and it was a waste of energy and time. Check the archives and see for yourself.

Two things that have left me upset

- Generally, why do they always withhold information from the FT, especially about important changes in the school?
- Specifically, I've been left in the lurch with two ongoing teacher training classes and no assistance. One of them started less than a week before the boss left for America! And she knew it all along!!!

Today I was hanging out at the beach. Yes, they do exist in Shanghai. The best one is in Fengxian District, but it's at least a 3 hour ride from my school. The fun was somewhat ruined because I had to head back and do tonight's TT class. I figured more than once to scrap it, after all, who would the students call on? My boss in America?!

In the end I did the class, but it was purely voluntary. Tomorrow is the last day I'll be setting foot in this school. I don't regret this year, but I've learned an important lesson: Trying to please Chinese bosses doesn't work!

I wish I had heeded that earlier, but I encourage all FTs here that the so-called payoff of kissing a.s.s. isn't worth it, and it's far better to be honest.

Steve

Healer · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 71 Location: In Beijin

we maybe are luxurious slaves, but slaves we are and remain...

anthyp · Joined: 16 Apr 2004 Posts: 1320 Location: Chicago, IL USA

What did you do for this person that you so regret?

Come on, you don't expect us to go poring through the archives, do you?! This could be a good lesson for us all!

struelle · Joined: 16 May 2003 Posts: 2372 Location: Shanghai

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

I am so glad, Steve, you pulled it through in spite of everything! To me, you have over the last one year proved to be a guiding light.
I hope a more welcoming future is awaiting you! Keep up your good spirit!
Roger

Dalian Veteran · Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 11:20 pm Post subject:

Just out of curiosity, I wonder where the term "midnight run" was coined from. I've heard it a lot during my ESL career in China, and figured that it was special jargon unique to the China ESL world, describing teachers who break their contract and have to leave secretly at night to avoid the wrath of their heavy-handed Chinese employer. Is this term unique to the China ESL world, or was it coined from somewhere else?

Just a guy · Joined: 06 Oct 2003 Posts: 267 Location: Guangxi

7969 · Joined: 26 Mar 2003 Posts: 5782 Location: Coastal Guangdong

never let yourself get pushed around like that. glad to hear you bacame more assertive over time.

in my case, i kept my distance from the chinese staff at my college. in fact, i visited the administration building an average of once a week over this past term and that was strictly to make photocopies. otherwise, i never saw the other staff. if they presented me with something outside of the terms of the contract at any time, or with any other inconvenience, my line was usually that my time is already otherwise occupied and in future they need to tell me well in advance (altho when two teachers left on short notice i did take over two fo the classes immediately, as i was still within my range of hours to be worked). i have my phone turned off unless i need to use it, and i rarely tell anyone where i'm going when i go out for the night or away for the weekend. this may sound a bit extreme, but the administration here soon learned that i wouldn't put up with any crap and as a result, my time at this college went smoothly.

and i am now on my way having enjoyed my time with the students here in guangxi.

smalls · Joined: 01 Apr 2003 Posts: 143 Location: China

I thought the term came from people who were released on bail, and then skipped town, hoping to skip a nasty sentence or lengthy trial. The bail bondsmen take over and hunt them down. Luckily, I have yet to have had to take part in either, skipping on bail or jetting from a school. Knock on wood.
Take a look at the movie 'Midnight Run' with Robert DeNiro. Pretty hilarious, and of course there was DeNiro.

inmexico · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 110 Location: The twilight zone

I have no idea if this is factual, but I always thought that the term originated from the days of slavery and is now used whenever someone "runs" from a situation they don't want to deal with (secretly of course).
I have always hated this term myself. Assuming my original premise is true, it seems to trivialize the plight of so many people when it used used for describing things like leaving without paying rent, leaving a job, or jumping bail.