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[1chunk]

[akoo1]

The irony is Westerners not only want to be paid well but they also like to think they deserve the same rights abroad. I compare it to a smug, superiority. These people also still use the offensive term "third world countries". This in a bid to make themselves feel good about who they are (and where they're from). Even though, deep inside - they're miserable. Generalization, of course. But quite apt (for some of them).

This is one of the reasons most of them don't bother learning another language, for example. When I went to teach in China, i remember a great sense of jealousy and hatred from the older teachers within days of arriving.

I couldn't figure out why they were so hostile so soon. I later found out it was because I was practicing Mandarin with the support staff. Apparently, I should have shut my mouth when they're around. They didn't want to be reminded that even after years of being in a country, they still hadn't found the time *or care* to learn the language. Instead, they often spent their time getting drink and smoking cigs at the only expat bar in town. Heaven forbid they should go to a Chinese bar. Oh that's right, they can't. Because they couldn't speak the language (and more importantly, they would bad mouth the Chinese when drunk). Similar to Arab bashing on these forums (but against the Chinese).

Hearing me make simple sentences in basic Mandarin resulted in much gossip and backbiting. Those were the days.

I later overheard them arranging teachers parties without inviting me. So I went and made friends with even more Chinese people (mostly from the school). That just made them angrier. But Why? Eventually one of them physically attacked me while super drunk. It was the last time he did that.

I concluded many of these people actually believe the lifestyle and values of home are superior. They were cultural and linguistic supremacists. They thought it was OK to be like that and they didn't like anyone rocking the boat. That's exactly what they needed. A sharp WAKE UP CALL. And in the 21st century, there is no such thing as a superior culture. And there is no excuse for racial bashing (especially as an educator).

Also, i don't understand teachers who refer to students as a "waste of space". The next question is just how many ESL teachers abroad ( as a % ) are actually like this? My guess is 60-75%. If true, it is an epidemic.