Job Discussion Forums

wildgander · Joined: 21 Mar 2010 Posts: 22

I don't know if this is just my bad luck with these individuals or I'm running into a cultural pattern. I have been told I should learn Mandarin. I don't see how I can learn enough Mandarin is a week to deal with my bank or the phone company.

I'm beginning to wonder if there is a hidden resentment towards Americans or if the Chinese are very lazy and unwilling to help because they just don't want to bother themselves, or if there is some other cultural insensitivity involved?

I work long hours to do a good job teaching. Is it wrong of me to expect my supervisors to help me with problems with my bank and my phone company?

Why is my expectation so off base? I am growing weary of the way I am treated here in China. I am very disappointed in the indifference that I am experiencing. I don't think I would have come to China had I known I would be treated like this.

Hoping to hear from those who have more understanding of China than I do.

Wildgander

rogerwilco · Joined: 10 Jun 2010 Posts: 1549

Ask one of your students or friends to help you in the short-term.

In the long-term, you may want to seek employment elsewhere.

The Ever-changing Cleric · Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 1523

As a rule, I only ask the school for help if the problem is something within their realm of responsibility: pay, something wrong with the apartment, teaching related problems.

If it's something outside, as noted, just ask your students. If you're doing a good job and the students respect you, then you should have no shortage of volunteers to go out of their way to help. Even if you're terrible at your job, and not respected etc, some students will still offer to help you out (maybe out of pity?).

wildgander · Joined: 21 Mar 2010 Posts: 22

I am wondering if this could be a consequence of totalitarian communist society. That though the dogma is about comradeship the harsh reality of a tyrannical state results in people being less helpful to one another. Any thoughts if it might be an attitude that results from communism?

Wildgander

LanGuTou · Joined: 23 Mar 2009 Posts: 621 Location: Shandong

rogerwilco · Joined: 10 Jun 2010 Posts: 1549

I suggested that you may want to seek employment elsewhere because I have never worked for a school in China that told me to "go learn Mandarin".

Most Chinese will be very helpful, if they like or respect you.

My guess is that one or more persons does not like or respect you, and they may just want to get rid of you.

If you are new at the school then it is rather odd that they have not already assigned a student to assist you.

Ask your students for help, and just wait and see how things go in the coming weeks or months.

The Ever-changing Cleric · Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 1523

I see it as human nature. Whoever you talked to that didn't want to help with your problems maybe didn't see what you were asking as part of their job description. So they rebuffed you. It's the same kind of thinking all over where anything outside the terms of reference for a job is met with "not in my job description" or "that's not what I'm paid for" or "that's above my pay grade." Then again, some people are genuinely busy, and maybe they just can't be bothered.

And just like anywhere else, you'll find other people (students) who are willing to help where others (admin/bureaucracy) weren't.

wildgander · Joined: 21 Mar 2010 Posts: 22

My students are 11 tof 16 years old and don't seem very mature or responsible. Are you referring to college age students? Or can younger students be capable of helping with banks and phone companies?

Thank you all for your responses.

Wildgander

The Ever-changing Cleric · Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 1523

Those students won't be of much help.

But you're living in Guangzhou, right? If the school isn't offering any help, surely you can hook up with someone in that city that can help out. Colleagues? Foreigners and English speaking Chinese? They're a dime a dozen there.

rogerwilco · Joined: 10 Jun 2010 Posts: 1549

wildgander · Joined: 21 Mar 2010 Posts: 22

I'm over an hour away from Guangzhou near a village. I would like to make some connections but I don't know how to find people interested in meeting an American. Not speaking Mandarin is proving to be a big problem here.

Wildgander

rogerwilco · Joined: 10 Jun 2010 Posts: 1549

LanGuTou · Joined: 23 Mar 2009 Posts: 621 Location: Shandong

I don't believe your problem in a place like Guangzhou!

Get into the city by whatever means, find yourself a cheap hotel overnight on your days off then walk around the banks, phone shops and other things you need to do. In larger banks and stores in that city, you would be unlucky not to hook up with at least one clerk or assistant without the ability to hold a rudimentary conversation in English.

It's just a case of filling in a form at the bank (which any Chinese member of staff can do if you present your passport), choosing a phone (which you can do simply by pointing and most have English as well as Chinese functionality simply by inputting the correct language option) and getting a SIM card (often supplied along with the phone). The only thing you will lose out on is the ability to negotiate the best price (you may get ripped off to some extent).

Just make sure that you carry your passport and the address of your school to help the process of the homeward journey.

flyingscotsman · Joined: 24 Mar 2010 Posts: 339 Location: Suzhou, China

Lobster · Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 7:52 am Post subject:

It's not your students' duty to assist you with these matters, nor would you be able to realistically be able to learn enough Mandarin to accomplish these tasks in a short period of time. It is the duty of the FAO at your school to sort these things out for you.

If you tried something like, "I'm sorry, but I will not be available to teach next week because I have to study enough Mandarin to open a bank account." you'd quickly hear a change of tune. Actually, probebly the prospect of the cash cow missing a single day of work would probably galvanize them into action.

On a more practical level, you could seek out a local bank with an English-speaking CSR. Shouldn't be too hard to find. Take your passport, FEC and contract along and also your police registration form. A Bank of China should fit the bill, as they do foreign currency exchange.

For a mobile phone, a large phone mall or department store would be your best bet. Take your passport, FEC and police reg along as well. A younger salesperson should know enough English to assist you. Make sure that nobody at work sees your mobile, and if asked, tell them you couldn't get one. This will ensure that they can never contact you to sub for others or make their beloved last-minute schedule changes. Definitely a winning situation.

This is not a typical problem. Every place I've worked at has always had helpful Chinese staff to assist with some of the more complex tasks. Sounds like you're working with some "exceptional" people. Be prepared for more fun and games down the road.

RED