Job Discussion Forums

[hilary]

I joined this forum recently because in a couple of days I am going to teach in China. I find much of the discourse informative as to the very variable conditions encountered by foreign teachers here.

The squabbling between various posters is also very entertaining for a casual observer. However, for the hapless 'newbies' who approach this forum looking for advice the reception they get is akin to that of a lone hyena attempting to gain acceptance by a new pack. The animal approaches tentatively. Soon one or two curious members of the pack emerge. Then comes the alpha male, closely followed by several betas. Much snarling ensues between the competing males. Hierarchy is confirmed or revised. Lone hyena skulks off into the underbrush.


Another fitting analogy, and perhaps more flattering, might be the UN Security Council's extraordinary meetings.

When I begin my job in China next week, perhaps I will dare to venture towards the pack! If I'm feeling brave, that is.

[cujobytes]

And with an attitude like that you'll get eaten alive.

[ShapeSphere]

I thought the female of the species was meant to be deadlier than the male?

Your contribution to the forum and how you perceive yourself is entirely your own choice. There's no reason to be intimidated by anyone.

Perhaps you can be an owl, full of sagacity and vision. Perhaps a spider, spinning verbal webs to trap hapless flies with your artistry. Perhaps a sheep, meek and following the pack. Perhaps a lone wolf, skirting the edges and happy in isolation. I will avoid making crude jokes about cows, b itches and squirrels with their nuts. But it was tempting.

SS - Lone Wolf - On the Animal Farm.

[anthyp]

Well this forum has its usual assortment of characters, but I really don't think it's all that bad.

We have our disagreements about Visas and attitudes towards the locals, true -- but they're always hashed over with respect. At least between the long - timers. I would know, I get into these kinds of messes every day.

I admit to relishing the opportunity to chew out a newbie silly enough to post in the Off - topic forum whenever some little bitty thing goes wrong, though. I mean, we're not children here. Some of the questions are just incredible, I know it's a foreign country but give me a break. "My FAO is being mean to me." "I can't have my girlfriend stay over -- what should I do?"

After awhile you learn how to ask a question like a responsible adult, then you get responsible answers. Nobody is going to take a wide - eyed newbie seriously if he or she posts in a manner unbecoming our lofty titles of "Foreign Expert."

[No Moss]

[kev7161]

When I first started posting here, there were a lot of people who were rude just for the sake of being rude. Mean-spirited, if you will. They would snap at anyone (including me!) over any topic or post. If it was directed at me and I felt it was too harsh, then I'd snap back. These days I tend to ignore them (and they aren't as numerous these days as well). Welcome to the club and post whatever you'd like. I just advise against rudeness - - it's the lowest common denominator.

[Roger]

...and we have a lot of people with personal issues that sometimes cloud their perceptions of others; if they disagree with one of your points they call you an anti...

[No Moss]

[Madmaxola]

fack you!!

[hilary]

[
I admit to relishing the opportunity to chew out a newbie silly enough to post in the Off - topic forum whenever some little bitty thing goes wrong, though. I mean, we're not children here. Some of the questions are just incredible, I know it's a foreign country but give me a break. "My FAO is being mean to me." "I can't have my girlfriend stay over -- what should I do?"

After awhile you learn how to ask a question like a responsible adult, then you get responsible answers. Nobody is going to take a wide - eyed newbie seriously if he or she posts in a manner unbecoming our lofty titles of "Foreign Expert."

Yes, you are so right, Anthyp, some of the questions are really daft.

Yes, but would you care to name some names?[/quote]

Nah! But thanks for your thoughtful and rational response to what was a cloak-trailing exercise on my part. Another poster has just told me to 'feck off' which isn't really very helpful. Anyway, to the poster who put me right re: the matriarchal social arrangements of hyenas: touche, monsieur pussycat. I stand corrected. See y'all in the People's Paradise.

[Long ai gu]

You are right Hilary, I have read many posts that ask a simple question and the responses are unrelated nonsense. Many of the posters here I believe have nothing better to do so they use this forum as a way to release their frustrations. Just look at some of the responses that you got and quoted. This is a wonderful forum for information gathering but it is often perverted by comments that are off-topic sniping. I was so turned off by this attitude that today is the first time in months that I have viewed this forum and I'm glad to see your message. I realise that I'm opening myself to online snipers by commenting in this way, but I doubt I'll ever read their results. I too got sucked in by this attitude of aggressiveness and I really didn't like how I saw myself. That's why I gave up on this forum and only use it to seek info when I can't find the info anywhere else. For some reason I thought about viewing this forum today, guess I was bored.