Job Discussion Forums

gungediana · Joined: 06 Apr 2009 Posts: 82

I'm just trying to initiate a discussion here, not trying to have a pop at anyone.

Do people think that people who choose to teach English abroad are particularly affected by the 'grass is always greener on the other side' disease?

If you always think the grass is greener on the other side you'll never be content with life. It's debilitating, and that's why I refer to it as a disease. I suppose I'm guilty of this myself a little bit. Although I am in general a pretty happy person.

This is quite a persoanl issue and a lot of people find it hard to talk about it honestly. What do other people think about this?

johnslat · Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2009 11:59 pm Post subject:

Dear gungediana,

"Do people think that people who choose to teach English abroad are particularly affected by the 'grass is always greener on the other side' disease?"

Some likely are, others probably aren't. For example, I taught abroad for about 22 years, but I spent 19 of those in one country (Saudi Arabia) with one employer (the Institute of Public Administration).

What I do suspect is that such people may tend to be a little more curious (in both senses of the word), more adventurous, more interested in seeing some more of the world than your average stay-at-homer.

Others, of course. are likely fleeing felons.

Regards,
John

Marcoregano · Joined: 19 May 2003 Posts: 872 Location: Hong Kong

I have always been 'afflicted' by the GIGOTOS condition, but that's not what got me into TEFL, it's just the way I am. I agree with John that most TEFLers are more inclined to take a risk, or have an adventure, than most people. I got into it because I got hacked off with being semi-employed (or unemployed) most of the time. Many people I knew at that time are still there, still doing the same thing, which in many cases is not much. I'm certainly not envious of them.

parrothead · Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 342 Location: Japan

The grass is plenty green where I am now, but that doesn't stop me from feeling curious about other countries and hoping to experience a little more of this world we live in. A lot of factors go into deciding the next move. Sometimes it's the "GIGOTOS condition", but sometimes it's pay, or relationships, or as John suggested, an arrest warrant. For me it is curiosity.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

I consistently find the grass greener in the regions where I live and work - and have for over ten years now.

Marcoregano · Joined: 19 May 2003 Posts: 872 Location: Hong Kong

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Also rainier Sad

But still greener!
I mean the CR too - I live there and work here, kinda....

hollysuel · Joined: 07 Oct 2007 Posts: 225 Location: Connecticut, USA

Probably a reason why I came to Finland for a nine month contract and am still here after ten years-->can't imagine anything greener (or whiter in the winter)...

gungediana · Joined: 06 Apr 2009 Posts: 82

spiral78 and hollysuel

If the grass really is greener where you are right now then fair play to you, you're very lucky people.

I would have said GIAGOTOS syndrome is more about being perpetually unhappy with yourself, (and confusing that with being unhappy with the part of the world/situation you're in) rather than being perpetually curious about other places.

I also think that GIAGOTOS syndrome has a stigma attached to it. Some people are a bit afrad to admit to it, even to themselves, because it's seen as being flaky.

Chancellor · Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2009 6:14 pm Post subject:

Greener grass could also be the result of more manure. Very Happy

ranter · Joined: 30 Mar 2009 Posts: 18 Location: Turkey

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

When I got into this (as a career change) over 10 years ago, many people were flabbergasted. Some friends were 100% behind me. I'd been in Japan twice previously (once for a long vacation and once for business for 5 months), so it wasn't a new environment, but teaching EFL was.

After a year or 2, my mother (who hails from a small town of <1000 and who has never strayed from there all her life) started asking when I would "come home" and "get it out of my system". She still does the former, but the latter comment was what really stung at first.

Changing careers was not something I viewed as GIGOTOS syndrome. Not greener, just different and desired at the time. It still is, or I wouldn't be here (Japan) after so long.

Mexicobound

johnslat · Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2009 2:25 am Post subject:

Dear Mexicobound,

Ah, but greener grass can take many forms besides money.

Regards,
John
P.S. By the way, do you need someone to untie you?

jonniboy