Job Discussion Forums

No Moss · Joined: 15 Apr 2003 Posts: 1995 Location: Thailand

For those of you too lazy to look it up, Chinese/Lunar New Year is Thursday, January 22nd, 2004. I'm a China newbie, so I wonder if someone could comment on how that affects privates and company classes, what days people are likely to have/take off, etc.
Thank you.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Private schools will close down for a week. Public schools close for two to 4 weeks.
Sometimes, you have to make up for some lessons on weekends. I forgot when things changed, but they did change a few years ago, when holidays became mandatory in the PR of C so folks would spend more money on domestic travels.
So schools had to cram extra lessons into weekends to make up for those sacrificed in an extra week of holidays.

Guest · Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2003 10:39 am Post subject:

I tried asking some of our Chinese teachers about the forthcoming holidays in January and as usualy I got several different answers.

It appears though that we get time off from the 22nd Jan. to the 9th Feb. 2004. I want to travel to Beijing so I hope that is correct.

Also, what is the story with Christmas day? It is a tuesday and the Teachers told me that the children will all be in the classroom.

I want to go to the local Orphanage for the day. I had originally heard that we had the day off but now I am not so sure. Does anyone know what is the norm?

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

Guest · Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2003 12:42 pm Post subject:

I asked for Christmas day off, (yes it is a Thursday - a Chinese teacher told me it was a Tuesday) to go to the Orphanage for the day and I was given it off. That was the same day I asked to give free lessons in the Public School and they said NO, so I suppose they thought they had better give me Christmas Day off so I would be happy.

Then I remember that the Orphans will be in School anyway, so I will just go to the babies room (there are 22 babies) in the morning and then meet the older kids when they get out of School - in my SANTA CLAUS has - I should get even more stares than usual in that!

Brendon · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Posts: 16 Location: New Zealand

I've just found out I can go get out of my contract a month early and be home for Christmas. Yay ...even got a flight.

Very Happy

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

In a contract I saw earlier this year, the employer promised to give expats a day off for Christmas, on top of national holidays. However, what does that mean? You will no doubt have to make up for those lessons.
Generally, Christmas is not a holiday. Unfortunately, the Chinese discovered the festive quality and the marketing value of Christmas - much to the detriment of us hirelings.
Many schools take it as their privilege to ask you to attend their "party", dressed as a Santa Claus, of course.
If my experience of last Christmas is anything to go by, it's going to be a season when you will prefer to be seriously ill.
They had no respect for my own needs for privacy and time to get in touch with my folks overseas. And, to be clowning around in a Santa dress made of baize is not my cup of tea.
I am almost thankful SARS is coming again!

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

latefordinner · Joined: 19 Aug 2003 Posts: 973

Last year I worked Christmas day, but evening classes were cancelled so that the staff could attend a Christmas function. I have always been uncomfortable at staff events of this kind. I pleaded off, went to have dinner with a Chinese friend and simply put the idea that it was Christmas out of my mind. I'm at a different school this year, but anticipate that again Christmas will be just another day at the office.
What I found harder last year was Spring Festival. Being alone is nothing new to me, but I found it hard to ignore the festival spirit here, especially as my Chinese friends are all very family-oriented (hey, who isn't?). I certainly couldn't escape the holiday by intruding upon their time with their families.
I think I've found a workable solution this winter. I'll miss Christmas by working here, but I'll return to Canada briefly in January and miss the Spring Festival. I will see my family and avoid being the stranger outside the window of someone else's feast day, but I'll pay the double price of returning to Canada at the worst time of the year and of missing the two most significant holidays on my calendar. Win some, lose some.