|
Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
WaystoGo
Joined: 17 Apr 2011
Posts: 21
Location: PRD
|
 Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2011 5:21 am Post subject: Anyone in Lianyungang? |
 |
|
| I'm a newbie and just accepted a contract in Lianyungang? Has anyone been there? |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
The Great Wall of Whiner
Joined: 29 Jan 2003
Posts: 4946
Location: Blabbing
|
| Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2011 3:53 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Once.
My wife's sister lives there.
Enjoy being lonely for a whole year; the ratio is like 170 males to 100 females there. When I was there, it was macho-man city. And they do not like to see foreigners with Chinese girls walking around.
Take it from me, a Chinese-speaking white guy with a Chinese wife. I think it was about the most unfriendliest city in China I had ever been in.
Good luck and enjoy your year. 
[edit]
If you are female, I suggest not ever walking home alone.
[edited typo]
Last edited by The Great Wall of Whiner on Fri Jul 29, 2011 4:36 am; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
7969
Joined: 26 Mar 2003
Posts: 5782
Location: Coastal Guangdong
|
| Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2011 5:46 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| The Great Wall of Whiner wrote: |
Once.
My wife's sister lives there.
Enjoy being lonely for a whole year; the ratio is like 170 males to 100 females there. When I was there, it was macho-man city. |
The ratio of men:women in China ranges from ~ 119:100 to 143:100 depending on province. Further, the imbalance is worse in rural areas since women are marrying out into the cities, not the other way around. LYG is a city and it's not like it's a frontier city in the Wild West where mostly men ventured and women followed much later on. What makes you estimate the ratio of males:females so much higher in LYG? I don't know what the gender imbalance has to do with being lonely anyway - most FTs I've ever met hang out with their colleagues and/or their students in their off time - or else they keep to themselves, because that's what they want.
| The Great Wall of Whiner wrote: |
| And they do not like to see foreigners with white guys walking around. |
Can you explain the meaning of this last sentence?
| The Great Wall of Whiner wrote: |
| If you are female, I suggest not ever walking home alone. |
Why not? Are women being raped, robbed or assaulted in higher numbers in LYG than other places? If you're going to instil fear in people then at least tell them why. Warnings without explanation or justification = fear-mongering and there's a lot of it on this forum lately.
| The Great Wall of Whiner wrote: |
Take it from me, a Chinese-speaking white guy with a Chinese wife. I think it was about the most unfriendliest city in China I had ever been in.
Good luck and enjoy your year. |
Before I came to the city I've been working in for the past five + years I heard all kinds of stories about what kind of dangers were lurking there. Five years later I'm still there waiting for these horror stories to materialize.
Waystogo - check the two links below:
LEAVING LIANYUNGANG.
Has anybody been to Lianyungang in Jiangsu province?
The threads are short and a bit dated but they were written by people with experience in LYG so they're worth something. From what I can tell it looks like many other places in China - it appeals to some and not to others (for a variety of reasons). You might also consider asking your school to put you in touch with any other foreigners where you're going to work, or foreigners in general in the city. These people will likely know what they're talking about and can give you first hand info on living and working in LYG. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
TexasHighway
Joined: 03 Dec 2005
Posts: 779
|
| Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2011 9:57 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Great Wall of Whiner wrote:
| Quote: |
| And they do not like to see foreigners with white guys walking around. |
Why don't they like foreigners walking around with white guys, especially if those foreigners also happen to be white guys? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
The Great Wall of Whiner
Joined: 29 Jan 2003
Posts: 4946
Location: Blabbing
|
| Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2011 4:34 am Post subject: |
|
|
| 7969 wrote: |
The ratio of men:women in China ranges from ~ 119:100 to 143:100 depending on province. |
Correct.
| Quote: |
| Further, the imbalance is worse in rural areas since women are marrying out into the cities, not the other way around. |
Partially correct. But your post neglects to mention that males now also go to the cities to work. They are called wai di ren in Chinese.
| Quote: |
| LYG is a city and it's not like it's a frontier city in the Wild West where mostly men ventured and women followed much later on. What makes you estimate the ratio of males:females so much higher in LYG? |
I was told by several people who are actually from Lianyungang before going there and seeing for myself with my own two eyes. I have no motive to lie; if you do not believe me, why not actually check the facts yourself?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lianyungang
Your post once again attempts to show me as being a source of inaccurate information. Hey, I have a good idea! Let's all check the facts before we try to [cough] 'correct' someone, shall we? 
Direct quote from Wiki:
In a nation with a male-to-female ratio that is skewed toward males, Lianyungang is a particularly extreme example. According to the China Family Planning Association, there are 163.5 boys for every 100 girls in the city, mainly due to females being aborted.
OK well, I was told 170:100. The article says 163.5 which is a tad lower. But it is still an extreme imbalance, would you not agree?
| Quote: |
| I don't know what the gender imbalance has to do with being lonely anyway |
You're serious in this statement? 
| Quote: |
| - most FTs I've ever met hang out with their colleagues and/or their students in their off time - |
I do not consider a single male hanging out with his students to be appropriate.
| Quote: |
| or else they keep to themselves, because that's what they want. |
If they want to keep to themselves, that's their thing. I am just trying to offer the OP some accurate information. I'm not trying to scare the OP away. The city seems all right, but people need to know the good, the bad and the ugly of anywhere. No need to sugar-coat everything; we are all adults and can handle the truth.
| Quote: |
| Can you explain the meaning of this last sentence? |
Typo, now corrected.
| Quote: |
| Are women being raped, robbed or assaulted in higher numbers in LYG than other places? If you're going to instil fear in people then at least tell them why. Warnings without explanation or justification = fear-mongering and there's a lot of it on this forum lately. |
I am not fear-mongering, simply offering cautious advice. I am not going to share with the public my wife's sister's personal affairs and events in her life, but I will say this:
She does not feel safe walking alone at night and neither did I; others can take the advice, or not take the advice.
Maybe the city is a wonderful street filled with candy cane trees and it rains sugar and the buildings are made from gingerbread. And I do not want other foreigners going there because I'm greedy and it's all MINE!
Or maybe there are literally gangs of single lonely drunk males who are aware that an assault on a girl or a foreigner will result in no consequence and reap rewards. Girl won't report-- loss of face. Foreigner CAN'T report because there is no way for him/her to identify the attacker.
I am not sure what would motivate someone to advice someone not to heed a warning. 
How ridiculous does this seem? Look below:
Mr. Green:[/b] I am going to Soso City. Anyone know anything about it?
Mr. Helper: Be careful, they don't like green. My sister lives there and I have also visited the place.
Mr. Talker: I have never been there and I don't know anything about the city, but do not listen to the guy above me! He is fear-mongering!!
| Quote: |
| Before I came to the city I've been working in for the past five + years I heard all kinds of stories about what kind of dangers were lurking there. Five years later I'm still there waiting for these horror stories to materialize. |
Oh, so you are in Lianyungang now are you? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
The Great Wall of Whiner
Joined: 29 Jan 2003
Posts: 4946
Location: Blabbing
|
| Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2011 4:37 am Post subject: |
|
|
| TexasHighway wrote: |
Great Wall of Whiner wrote:
| Quote: |
| And they do not like to see foreigners with white guys walking around. |
Why don't they like foreigners walking around with white guys, especially if those foreigners also happen to be white guys? |
Typo, my bad. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
mayteach
Joined: 07 Feb 2011
Posts: 13
Location: Nanjing
|
| Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2011 8:44 am Post subject: |
|
|
OP, I live in LYG and have been here since the end of February. It is your typical 3rd-tier city. Smallish, with not a lot of Western restaurants (KFCs, 1 McDonalds, no Starbucks ). On the other hand, it is clean. Very cheap to live here and does have an expat community, though relatively small.
There are things to do both indoor and outside. There are two movie theaters that regularly show Western films. Several decent to great eateries, many with either English menus or pictures. Several bars and clubs, though the clubs do leave something to be desired. The beach is not to far away and very nice. Several mountains in the area as well that afford scenic views.
If you prefer big-city living, you will be disappointed. If, however, you like smaller locales with nice clean environments (as far as China goes), you will enjoy LYG I think. Some people find it too small with not enough entertainment but others fully enjoy it. Honestly, it depends on what you are looking for in a location.
If you have any questions about the city, feel free to PM me. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
7969
Joined: 26 Mar 2003
Posts: 5782
Location: Coastal Guangdong
|
| Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2011 3:22 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| The Great Wall of Whiner wrote: |
| Quote: |
| Before I came to the city I've been working in for the past five + years I heard all kinds of stories about what kind of dangers were lurking there. Five years later I'm still there waiting for these horror stories to materialize. |
Oh, so you are in Lianyungang now are you? |
I think any reasonable person would read what I wrote and easily come to the conclusion that I don't live in LYG but somewhere else in China. For the poster(s) who could not/cannot reach that conclusion: No, I do not live in Lianyungang.
As for the facts on the size of the gender imbalance, I don't put much stock in wikipedia, and for good reason - anyone can go in there and add, delete, and edit information. For that reason it's highly unreliable. Don't believe me? Take a look. It's good for some research - I use it to get general info when I travel to a new place - but I'd never quote it in any serious debate.
Third, you still haven't given any evidence to support the dangers you claim are in LYG (don't walk home alone if you're a female). All you've said is that your sister-in-law wouldn't do it. If someone were posting they were going to Urumqi or Kashgar at least there's evidence the potential for danger exists in those places and it could be (and has been) posted on the forum. Here's some news for you: Chinese people (esp. women) see danger everywhere. Some of my female friends (incl. some students) won't even take a day-time bus trip alone because they're afraid (of what they can't really say). One of my friends, a 36 yo Chinese woman, was hesitant about taking the bus from Guangzhou to visit me because she heard stories of "bandits." On the other hand, I've met a couple of Chinese women who backpack around a lot on their own and they have no problems, but these are exceptions.
| The Great Wall of Whiner wrote: |
| Quote: |
| I don't know what the gender imbalance has to do with being lonely anyway |
You're serious in this statement? |
Yeah I am serious. Should I not be? Why not?
The main problem created by the gender imbalance relates to young male Chinese who are going to have trouble finding a wife. It won't have any affect on most FTs who are only in China short to medium term. Certainly it's had no effect on the ability of your standard male FT to find and keep a Chinese GF while in the country. Regardless FTs are capable of hanging out with and making friends with whoever they want wherever they are. If there's a preponderance of males, or females, in that location - so what? Make friends with whoever piques your interest - male or female. Is it because you see LYG as "macho-man city" and it's too rough and therefore making friends isn't easy? After reading the post by mayteach the city I live in seems similar to LYG and the "macho" guys there are pretty lame in the macho dept (and can be friendly if you approach them).
I do know three people who've been beaten up in China (one a current colleague), and none of them in LYG btw. Two things these three louts had in common: 1. They were very drunk; and 2. They were shooting their mouths off at the wrong people. This combo can lead to a beat-down in any part of the world incl China. Those who keep their nose clean and respect others usually don't have problems with violence in China.
| The Great Wall of Whiner wrote: |
| Quote: |
| - most FTs I've ever met hang out with their colleagues and/or their students in their off time - |
I do not consider a single male hanging out with his students to be appropriate. |
Good for you - others feel differently. Every FT in China is in a different situation and has to make do with what they've got. If there are few or no other English speakers outside the school where the FT works and the FT speaks little or no Chinese (a common scenario), then you make friends with whoever you can. If that means adult students, then so be it. Some of the most helpful people I've met in China are/were some of my students and I'm happy to say these people are my friends. Every other FT I've ever worked with in China (without exception) has made friends or at least become acquainted with students outside of class and this is a common occurrence in the ESL world. I associated after hours with one of my professors in university - I was doing some paid work for him and afterwards we'd go for a drink, so hanging out with a prof or a teacher isn't that outlandish for some of us. I guess no-one reported us because I still graduated and he still had a job. For someone who complains about posters who judge people you seem to do a fair bit of judging yourself Great wall of whiner.
| The Great Wall of Whiner wrote: |
| Quote: |
| or else they keep to themselves, because that's what they want. |
If they want to keep to themselves, that's their thing. I am just trying to offer the OP some accurate information. I'm not trying to scare the OP away. The city seems all right. |
You weren't trying to scare the OP away? The city seems alright? Really? Let's review:
| The Great Wall of Whiner wrote: |
| Enjoy being lonely for a whole year |
| The Great Wall of Whiner wrote: |
| it was macho-man city |
| The Great Wall of Whiner wrote: |
| it was about the most unfriendliest city in China I had ever been in |
| The Great Wall of Whiner wrote: |
| I suggest not ever walking home alone |
| The Great Wall of Whiner wrote: |
| they do not like to see foreigners with Chinese girls walking around. |
That's quite a conversion.
In the end, LYG looks to be just like many other Chinese cities - bland, not terribly exciting, and not fraught with danger. If anything out of the ordinary existed there then surely the post above this one (by mayteach) would have mentioned it.
Someone else can have the last word. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
The Great Wall of Whiner
Joined: 29 Jan 2003
Posts: 4946
Location: Blabbing
|
| Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2011 4:08 am Post subject: |
|
|
| 7969 wrote: |
I think any reasonable person would read what I wrote and easily come to the conclusion that I don't live in LYG but somewhere else in China. For the poster(s) who could not/cannot reach that conclusion: No, I do not live in Lianyungang. |
I know you do not live there, that is why there was a question mark at the end of my sentence followed by rolling eyes.
| Quote: |
| As for the facts on the size of the gender imbalance, I don't put much stock in wikipedia, and for good reason - anyone can go in there and add, delete, and edit information. For that reason it's highly unreliable. Don't believe me? Take a look. It's good for some research - I use it to get general info when I travel to a new place - but I'd never quote it in any serious debate. |
I didn't initially get my facts from Wikipedia, I was told by Chinese family members of the well-known imbalance in the city. Not having immediate access to Chinese government census documents, I used it in a crunch when you put into question what I know to be true and have seen with my own eyes.
But the general info is accurate, according to official stats so believe them or not.
| Quote: |
| Third, you still haven't given any evidence to support the dangers you claim are in LYG |
It's called a testimonial, often used in courts, legislatures, hearings, the media, et al. I could dig up countless other testimonials and documentations if you desire.
Believe it or do not believe it, the choice is in the hands of the reader.
I have absolutely no motive to lie about the place. I couldn't care a beehive if the OP goes there or not. The OP asked for info. and I offered what I knew about it. Are you suggesting we should not warn others about our own past experiences?
The purpose of my posting is to help someone.
And you?
| Quote: |
| Yeah I am serious. Should I not be? Why not? |
I just find the whole idea of being surrounded with a lot of angry single lonely unemployed males who do not like foreigners as being somewhat uncomfortable. Personal opinion, nothing more.
If you like it, kudos to you. You have more guts than I do.
| Quote: |
| The main problem created by the gender imbalance relates to young male Chinese who are going to have trouble finding a wife. It won't have any affect on most FTs who are only in China short to medium term. Certainly it's had no effect on the ability of your standard male FT to find and keep a Chinese GF while in the country. |
Look....
If you are a foreign non-Asian looking male who is near-fluent in Chinese, have been to Lianyungang, have a sister there, married to a highly attractive Asian lad, walk down the street in Lianyungang only to hear not a single snide comment after snide insult directed towards us, than I will consider what you say to have some value.
Until then, I do not believe you are qualified to lecture me about the behavioural patterns of fengqi (popular Chinese term for nationalistic and aggressive) youths in Lianyungang.
| Quote: |
| Regardless FTs are capable of hanging out with and making friends with whoever they want wherever they are. If there's a preponderance of males, or females, in that location - so what? Make friends with whoever piques your interest - male or female. Is it because you see LYG as "macho-man city" and it's too rough and therefore making friends isn't easy? After reading the post by mayteach the city I live in seems similar to LYG and the "macho" guys there are pretty lame in the macho dept (and can be friendly if you approach them). |
Absolutely they are. I am sure that if Lianyungang was my very first place to go to, I would love it. I am sure that if I could not speak Chinese and did not have a girlfriend or at least did not go out in public with her a lot, I would love it, too.
I am not intending to paint the entire city as a "macho-man city", it's just how I felt about it, but I am expressing from personal experience I have been far more comfortable in Beijing and Shanghai than Lianyungang.
| Quote: |
| I do know three people who've been beaten up in China (one a current colleague), and none of them in LYG btw. Two things these three louts had in common: 1. They were very drunk; and 2. They were shooting their mouths off at the wrong people. This combo can lead to a beat-down in any part of the world incl China. Those who keep their nose clean and respect others usually don't have problems with violence in China. |
I concur with you. I am simply expressing my opinion that apart from it's good looks, Lianyungang < Other Chinese cities.
| Quote: |
| Good for you - others feel differently. Every FT in China is in a different situation and has to make do with what they've got. |
Right, so no need to attack me on my opinion. Most appreciated.
| Quote: |
| For someone who complains about posters who judge people you seem to do a fair bit of judging yourself Great wall of whiner. |
What are you talking about?
You're entire response to my post was nothing but a critique of my advice to the OP.
Here is the difference, mister: The purpose of my post was to help someone; the purpose of your post was to critique someone.
You questioned the accuracy of what I said several times even with proof. Then you questioned the proof itself.
I stand by what I said with the facts solidly behind them. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
This page is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling.
Contact Dave's ESL Cafe
Copyright © 2018 Dave Sperling. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
