Job Discussion Forums

jane1 · Joined: 15 Sep 2005 Posts: 10

I'm struggling between accepting jobs in Mainland China (mainly Guangdong) and Taiwan. Taiwan does offer more money. I was wondering if there is much of a difference between Mainland China and Taiwan. Well, enough of a difference that I would take a job on Mainland China paying around $600 Canadian vs. over $2000 Canadian in Taiwan.

I don't know where to go. Please give me opinions and fight your case.

Compare the weather, people, nightlife if any, which is more westernized...

clyde · Joined: 13 Jul 2005 Posts: 52

Dude there is plenty of research material on this site already, but here are a few pointers anyway k. Forget Taiwan, they pay more but the cost of living is so much more, almost as bad as Japan. The women are terrible, mostly lesbian in fact. There are gangs of Triads that prey on english teacher for tribute (extotion) money so half your paycheck will be gone anyway, if not some digits from your hand first. The food is utterly reprehensible, the national diet consists of undercooked moluscs and ripened raw pork, there is always McD's but they charge the equivalent of 15$ U.S. for a combo. Now if I were you, I would head for the sunny shores of Xinjiang province where the liquor flows freely and the women all use Bowflexes for hours at a time. Your 600$ will stretch like you would not believe, and you could always supplement your income by signing autographs or some such. The locals are 99% Reformed Methodist Buddhists, tranlation very calm and promiscuous. Litter bearers can be hired by the day for as little as 2 RMB. Hope this helps, and remember to pack your speedos and many condoms. Oh yeah, as Xinjiang is an autonomous region, it has recently held many referenda on democracy, these motions will have no doubt passed by the time of your arrival so happy voting.

clyde · Joined: 13 Jul 2005 Posts: 52

Oops, you are not a dude at all, are you Jane? My bad. Soooo instead may I propose the province of Qinghai. It is the feminist capital of Asia. Gloria Steinem is on a lecture tour there now as we speak. Hope this helps

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

The weather?
Taiwan's is similar to the weather in Fujian. It's on the same latitudes anyway. These are in the subtropics. Can you stand hot and humid summers with occasional typhoons, and cool winters without snow and ice?
Nightlife?
Taiwan's seems to be more cosmopolitan and westernised; if you crave that why not stay put in Canuck?
If I were you I wouldn't choose "China"; I would choose a well-defined location. And acquaint myself with the lifestyles of locals before I hit the road.
Buy a LP to see what's awaiting you over here.

jane1 · Joined: 15 Sep 2005 Posts: 10

I've just heard horror stories about Taiwan. I would rather go for a better experience than for weather and money.

Is Taiwan that dirty with nothing to do?

I was reading the Taiwan Forum and this is what seems to come across.

I am still lost after doing reserach.

clark.w.griswald · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 2056

Having lived in both Taiwan and China I can say that I personally prefer Taiwan. I accept that this is a personal choice however, and the OP needs to bear in mind that everyones opinions will differ.

I do however take exception to what 'clyde' has said here as it is just not true.

legaleagle05 · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Posts: 10

If you want to work in an efficient work envornment, do not want to go crazy, then I would suggest you choose Taiwan. Another big factor is the pay.... go to Taiwan.

sheeba · Joined: 17 Jun 2004 Posts: 1123

Thanks Clark.
Very informative . I have a few questions though. One I think is a very important one is what hours are we talking about in Taiwan relative to China ?I do no more than 18 for my 4500 yuan at a Uni . I get free accommodation in a western standard hotel with all electricity/water etc . I have waiters that sort me out clean towels and bed linen . Internet access plus other perks .

Also who are you teaching in Taiwan ? I've heard that to make the money you have to teach kids . I would prefer my laid back Uni students to 4 or 5 workouts every day with the banana bunch. I get so much free time I can do extra work to top up my earnings . With my three day weekends If I take two of those days to do some privates I'm looking at another 5000 yuan at least a month . I spend 1500 yuan a month on food and going out(not to bars) so in all I will be saving nearly 9 thousand yuan a month .
Hours per week for that would be under 30 - I know many FT's around here that rake the RMB in by upping their hours in different schools but still don't do drastically long weeks.

I've thought about Taiwan so i'd be interested . Cheers .

jeffinflorida · Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2005 11:50 am Post subject:

China is much more scienic and gives you more places to adventure.

The people in Taiwan may be more civilized though.

But if you are coming to Asia for adventure then China will give you more and is much safer crime wise (depending where you go).

Also consider Bangkok.

clark.w.griswald · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 2056

Sheeba raises some good points.

amandabarrick · Joined: 30 Dec 2004 Posts: 391

Having lived in both I think there are a lot more similarities than differences. The weather is nice in Taiwan if you don't mind the rain. The people are more well mannered and polite on the average. I found most places in Taiwan to be a little more clean than here in China. And the cost of everything is a little higher in Taiwan. Also I found a lot more western products in Taiwan. But other than that they are quite similar.
For some reason I enjoy my China experience more than my Taiwan experience because I just felt more contrast with American life here in China. I am able to visit more places and see more things here, as two years in Taiwan I have been everywhere and felt like I had seen it all. Also I am able to save a much higher portion of my salary here in China even though I make less.

AB

sheeba · Joined: 17 Jun 2004 Posts: 1123

[/quote]Also I presume that you are not in a big city if you are getting that perk?

clark.w.griswald · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 2056

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

the cost of living in taiwan is nowhere near japan, even in taipei. i spent six months there and can attest to that.

i've also spent a lot of time in bangkok. i would never live there. the place is dirty, traffic is horrible and the teaching jobs no better than anywhere else with lower salaries.

in china you can work 12-16 hours a week and make a decent salary (by chinese standards). in taiwan you can work twice as much but earn three to four times a chinese salary. so take your pick...... more free time or more cash in your pocket.

clyde · Joined: 13 Jul 2005 Posts: 52

Clark W Griswald, for a person who has taken a moniker that was invented by the National Lampoon, you certainly are are an un-silly un-*beep*. You entirely missed the satirical and sarcasta-parodizing tenor of my post. Your dim little PC obsessed mind has quite obviously sailed clear under my bastion of humour. I might have hoped that the "sunny shores of Xinjiang" hinted at my intended candor. Do you have a university degree by chance, if so is it from Arizona? Anyway Clark by even posting such a reply to posting of comedic genius you deserve to have your forum rights revoked. May God have mercy on you you un-capricious un-betesticled little fraction of a man.

Sheeba, descriptions of Italian thighs are now in the public domain, don't make me come over there.