Job Discussion Forums

psychedelic · Joined: 11 Feb 2003 Posts: 167 Location: China

Hi Miyazaki,
I agree with your posting. To the OP,if you can't stand the U.S. so much..THEN LEAVE. That's what the So. Koreans say all the time as I've read whenever a foreigner has even the slightest criticism about their country,people,etc. so now I'm saying the same to you! Go live in China or Myanmar,etc. Yes,there are plenty of problems in the U.S.A...high taxes,pollution,jobs going overseas,over ten million illegals,too much red tape,etc. but there are many positive points as well. Deal with it!

Imagine8 · Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2007 5:14 pm Post subject:

englishmaster · Joined: 03 Sep 2004 Posts: 118

If you are coming to Taiwan to get away from "ignorant people," I would definitely *not* recommend it. Although the mainland is worse due to less exposure to the west, and North Korea is worst of all because of none, you will find mainly mindless lemmings with no reflective dimension to their minds or intellectual curiosity. For all its notorious illiteracy, America does have a vibrant intelligent minority available online, and the world's largest publishing industry.
Actually, a sojourn out here in the vast oriental mental void might chasten you. You will come to see why liberal social institutions are inventable and sustainable only by westerners, plus the immense difference between educational systems. Don't expect any of your students, irregardless of how many years in cram school, to be able to invent their own discouses, or even have the inclination. The only things that make life liveable out here are western imports or limited copies of them.
There are, on the other hand, quite good reasons for bailing the USA, and you can read more about them at www.escapeartist.com. Just don't leave America because of silly rejection of its supposed unfriendliness or some such whining.

Toe Save

rupert shellgame · Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 109

There is some confusion, and I'll try to clear it up since I started the thread.

I gave the impression, I see now, that I am coming to Taiwan to escape American ignorance. That's my fault. It's not the case though. I meant to ask only about what Westerners' views tend to be in Taiwan, and not so much about the Taiwanese themselves. Someone described them as lemmings I think, and this doesn't surprise me a bit for a society saturated with Confucianism (as I understand it).

What I mean about finding a place to live where people are less ignorant, I did not mean Taiwan was that place. I'm just going there to save up some money first. Then who knows where I'll go. As the resident apologists point out here, every country is screwed up in some way--the world, is screwed up. But my hope is to disassociate myself from the U.S. eventually, and take up honest work somewhere else, since honest work is at a premium here. There is enough anti-Americanism (read "rational and understandable anger at the U.S.") as it is--imagine what's coming.

The "hand that feeds..." That just sounds funny to me. Are you a sheep? What are they feeding you in America that you love or need so much?

I could say more, but some of you folks are just proving me right post by post.

flapjack · Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2007 9:58 am Post subject:

I wouldnt come to TW to get away from america as they copy most of the unlikable americans traits and have loads of their own that are a gordian knot to figure out. Although most TWese are not very politcal about american foreign policy.

If you are truly upset about americas foreign policy and want a different lifestyle and dont like spending most of your money on taxes I would suggest going to Thailand or perhaps Barcelona.

And by the way spending time in bars with expats in any foreign country is not all it is cracked up to be.

rupert shellgame · Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 109

I want to emphasize, once again, that I am not coming to Taiwan to get away from America. I was just curious what the expats are like.

flapjack · Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2007 10:26 am Post subject:

I suppose that depends on your own personality and who you decide to spend your time with.

MomCat · Joined: 02 Dec 2004 Posts: 297

OP, Before you suspect that all expats jump to conclusions by taking phrases out of context and then continue to believe what they have told themselves even after being presented with evidence to the contrary, while at the same time claiming that their hosts are not capable of creative thought, I'd like to try to answer your question.

I've only taught in one city, Hsinchu and I teach adults. Many of my students want to be challenged and many are very capable of critical thinking.

There is no "typical" expat. Some come from countries where their options have been severely limited and have a need to find work elsewhere. Some have came to teach, earn a few bucks, drink a few beers and have a couple of adventures before returning to their home country and their real life. Some have come, fallen in love with the country and/or with a woman and stayed to make this their new home. Some are looking for adventure, others for escape.

You will find religious fanatics, moral reprobates, health and yoga nuts, alcoholics, old folks and kids.

The expat community will probably be more varied and smaller than any community you've been a part of before. Your ability to tolerate and enjoy the company of people with views very different from yours will be to your advantage.

Anyway, that's been my experience.

Good luck to you,
Cat

BigWally · Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2007 6:15 pm Post subject:

Mamma Kitty has nailed it on the head....there is no "typical" ex-pat....

the only thing connecting us all, is that we are all unique...

StayingPower · Joined: 18 Aug 2006 Posts: 252

Why didn't you move to Canada then like the rest of the anti-Americans were supposed to have done after Bush got re-elected?

Come on man, your country's what nourished you, gave you this freedom of expression, let you go where you wanted and so on. Are you going to be like those American expats in Korea, tucking their tails between their legs and walking around sulking? Over what?

But the expats here? Depends on your likes and dislikes, most expats not being bad compared to what I'd experienced in Korea.

There you can find your niche, ie., anti-Americanism, anti-Bushites, bad-mouth Canadians.

This latter group, I'm sorry to say, is the only expat group I've had problems with here in Taiwan, especially when it comes to America's so-called folly. This, to me. depicts their ignorance, not Americas. The Taiwanese have been completely civil about the US, haven't heard a peep. South Africans abound, and they don't give a hoot. Few Kiwis seem to be blue-blooded, but I don't meet many of them here, would rather not. Brits are great, a few Aussies. Basically, you're coming to the right place to 'escape' any political upheaval/ignorance, much like I'd been through after the 100,000 strong demos over in Korea.

yamahuh · Joined: 23 Apr 2004 Posts: 1033 Location: Karaoke Hell

yamahuh · Joined: 23 Apr 2004 Posts: 1033 Location: Karaoke Hell

Sorry, couldn't resist the temptation to inject some Python into the conversation.
Just pretend I'm not here...

pinkflyd7 · Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2007 5:40 am Post subject:

If you want to come to Taiwan to get away from ignorant, unintelligent, selfish Americans, Taiwan is NOT the place to come. I've been living in Taiwan for over 3 years now, and it's actually worse. The best thing about living here are their strict gun laws. If these people were allowed to have guns, they'd be offing each other every second.