Job Discussion Forums

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

"on turkey. I didnt imagine it to be mostly muslim."

Enough said. None so blind as those who refuse to see - or learn.

real2104 · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 120

good quote.

if i lacked willingness to learn i wouldn't be travelling the world teaching as i am now (just arrived in bang kok)

i learn best from experience, i still want to experience turkey. i hear the people are lively and open, the food is great and there's never a shortage of things to do and see.

"turkey offers a unique experience" said one of the members at davesesl.

I plan to go after thailand, just need to line up a job.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Old fogies use these things called BOOKS. You should try one some time.

mdk · Joined: 09 Jun 2007 Posts: 425

If the OP doesn't even know the Muslims are there, what other sort of gaff is he/she liable to commit?

ESL is no place to learn about the foibles and mores of other cultures starting from scratch. I have taught in Russia and Spain... neither places welcome ignorant boobs....I can only imagine what sort of problems you can get into out of ignorance in Turkey. I am willing to bet you shouldn't touch people with your left hand, show the soles of your shoes, or joke about the prophet. Do you even know that much?

Now not far from Turkey we have the western Balkans... of which one may find Croatia and Slovenia. Both very nice places where you could probably work something out. Also where you probably wouldn't be the guest at an impromptu necktie party because you did something stupid.

If you insist on going into a foreign country, at least try not to show up as an ignorant boob. I've never been there, but I promise it ain't Kansas.

real2104 · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 120

yeh, i am an ignorant boob.

i'll do more research and pick a country where it's OK to be an inexperienced / non-BA teacher.

OR I'll go do 4 years of uni so i have that peice of paper.... *grumbles*

Gregorio · Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Posts: 105

Hey Nick (and to all your haters),

Given your age (not to sound condescending) I really don't know why everyone is coming down on you for having a lack of knowledge about any country, especially if you're American, because our education system sucks in terms of the geography and history disciplines. I think you said that you're 20 years old!!! I think it's amazing that you have already left home and are traveling abroad and teaching. Granted, you should get a BA eventually. However, I don't really think reading a book, as one poster suggested, will give you a better perspective on foreign cultures than actually going there and living it, which you are already doing. You were obviously coming to this forum for information on Turkey, meaning you WERE doing research... You did not come here to be degraded and disrespected.

Think about how many Europeans (in the Med. anyway) stay at home until they're 30 or older and go from the teet of their mothers to the teet of their wives or husbands.

Or, maybe you do agree with the other posters and I've wasted my time on a useless rant. Anyway, good luck with your travels... cheers.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

"especially if you're American"

His original post states quite clearly that he is an Australian of English ancestry. Like so many gringos you assume that the default setting for humans is Norteamericano !

My advice about reading a book was meant to imply that he should read MANY books !

Insubordination · Joined: 07 Nov 2007 Posts: 394 Location: Sydney

Nick, you have a British passport, right? Your Dad's English and you are Australian so he passes his citizenship on to you (if you apply at the British High Commission, Canberra). Just wanted to make sure you knew that. You could get a non-esl job fairly easily which would open up your options.

Gregorio · Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Posts: 105

Sorry, I was using "you" generically; I wasn't assuming that Nick was American and I was actually ripping on American culture for not emphasizing other cultures in our education system. Scot47, you are obviously the king of assumptions... and now I'm assuming that at least 4,799 of your 4,800 posts (which obviously suggests you have chosen an exciting life for yourself) are unwarranted assumptions or insults to people who come looking for some honest advice.

Give the kid a break is all I'm saying. There is no reason for anyone to take their bitterness toward the world out on people on these forums who are just looking for some advice.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

"Never give a sucker an even break." As for choosing an exciting life, what can I say ? You make a strange assumption that we somehow choose our own fate. Life is not like that, son !