Job Discussion Forums

[Jayray]

[zootown]

[Jayray]

[Zero]

I don't get it. Why does everyone think it is appropriate to get involved? If I am reading this correctly, the girl-beating drunkard doesn't even teach at the OP's school.

Let's say you were in an American city with several universities. Let's say St. Louis. And you are some kind of adjunct instructor at, say, Washington University. You hear about an adjunct over at St. Louis University who beat a student for cheating on him. Would you feel compelled to go over to the administration at St. Louis University and inquire about getting the instructor fired? Would you go try to provide personal psychotherapy to the girl? Walk her to the police station to make a report? All just because you happen to hold a similar job, albeit at a different location, to the person who did the beatdown?

Granted, in the U.S., the OP would feel ore comfortable relying on the "system" to handle the situation appropriately, most likely. But this is China, and the OP has to let the Chinese system handle it the way the Chinese system handles things. He/she has no influence to make the Chinese system act differently.

As I said before, the OP has no standing in this situation. He/she just happens to engage in the same profession, speak the same language and, perhaps, have similarly colored skin.

[mnguy29]

I taught in a city near Shanghai recently for more than a year. I have noticed just how much some of the FT drink alcohol. It seems they are drinking almost all of the time. Why is this? I wonder how many times they are drunk when they teach their classes? In fact, I know of one guy who taught at a high school who actually told me he was often drunk while teaching. He was an alcoholic no doubt. So, how did he get the teaching job? Some of the schools in China are very desperate. Another FT I met always seemed to be sick and did not feel good. He would not let me visit him at his apartment for some reason?? Always made an excuse. I saw him at a bar once and he was so drunk he could hardly talk to me. I think maybe some of these FT are lonely, unhappy with their lives in China and back home, have very few friends, etc. so they turn to drinking. Or, they were drunks back home too. Its their own fault not having foreign friends in China. It's very easy to make friends in China because most foreigners in China are very interested in having friends. I dont know what I would do without friends in China! I admit to going out to the bars too, but I keep it under control. I would never drink and go to classes!!

[Jayray]

[Sugar & Spice]

Gotcha. Thanks for taking the bait, wuss.

[Lorean]

[mrwslee003]

I think most if not all Fts who are in China are there for a purpose, it is
that which says China does concern me and I will do my little bit to help her with either English skills or whatever. That is why you are here, not
because you think you will make your fortune here and be retired at your
native land when you are done with China.

Sure, besides the little adventure you like to have while you are in China.
I mean we are all self-fish at some point; we are not all (100%) alteristic.
We are not saints.

So to say don't get involved because it doesn't concern me is just contradictory to our principles, our essence as human beings.

Now, that doesn't mean we should act like super man or spiderman or bat
man. We search carefully to see where and when we can involve ourselves so as to benefit without too much risk to ourselves and others.
Its a balancing act, more so since Fts are in a foreign culture and foreign
land. Our support system is limited if any at all.

That's why Fts are in a special category-they are here with "blind" trust
that they will be respected and protected by locals and the law. But when
one of us Fts are doing damage to our reputation and to the natives he is
suppose to help then we are in a better position to help him because the
government here can only afford to "punish" him. They would not try to
"cure" him.

Oh, did I hear "SHADDUPP!"