Job Discussion Forums

[rupert shellgame]

It is interesting...no one has come on to defend Taiwan...

If they did, what do you think some possible defenses would be?

Here are some I would expect:

1) Love it or leave it. Or more mildly, if you don't like it, why do you stay?


2) Apologetics beginning with statements: "what you have to understand about Taiwan is __________..." And we get things like "history" and "culture" and relativism - no need for quotes, cuz no one will use the word.

3) Is it really that bad? You're making good money, you got insurance, etc.

4) The West - esp. America - is effed up, too.

[creztor]

I guess not many people come here but what you have said is true about Taiwan. Anyone who says otherwise has their head in a very dark place. No reason why I would leave Taiwan if I don't like it because there are plenty of foreigners back in Australia who say the place sucks but they continue to remain. I believe it is my duty to even things out, ying and yang On a side note I went to subway today and they have a new sign on the wall in Chinese saying that you should be a good person by lining up, smiling and saying thank you. When you see things like this you know there is something wrong with the place.

[zipper]

I don't have much to complain about, and even less now after hearing that the US economy barely has a pulse.

[Shimokitazawa]

[zipper]

Yes, the burning followed by fire crackers can really cause a lot of discomfort. They call this month's activities "Ghost Month" http://lyberty.com/encyc/articles/ghostmonth.html

If you think that traffic and lawless is bad here, you should live in Bangkok or Guangzhou or Manila. Jeepneys in Manila seldom stop for people. I nearly got run over in Seoul a couple of times.

I think that the mentality here is that cars have the right away, because they are bigger than you, and the same applies to trucks and buses. So it goes that the biggest vehicle has the right away; pedestrians don't. Hopefully, that will change someday.

[Shimokitazawa]

[rupert shellgame]

Another day is paradise.

This morning I went to do my saturday shift, three classes, no big deal. I kept telling myself: life is short, enjoy it. Focus on the kids. Try to teach them something, even if it means not doing your job. They don't like me at my saturday school. They wanna write my part for me. Mark on the floor where I'm to walk. Set up the shot. And I'm off! To play hit and say...This particular school is "old school." Chinese culture and "old school" not a child-friendly combination. There is no hitting. We must maintain the atmosphere of joy (I will resist capitalizing every letter of "joy").

So instead of hitting with their hands, they hit with words, and they hit hard. Yelling, screaming, conniption fits. I mean screaming with all a woman's might. I was beginning my first class this morning, when I heard a banshee-like screaming. It sounded almost like crying, and screaming. A teacher flew off the handle with another class. I stopped my class because I was worried. Yelling fits are a weekly occurance, but this was unlike anything I had ever heard out of a woman or any person for that matter. She didn't sound like a person. My students and I were collectively stunned.

Later I asked that teacher why she was screaming. "Ohhhl, he he he he, day dee-done-ta du der homawork." (not "homaworka", strangely enough) "He he he he he." Then I went in to teach them for my hour. Poor kids. They looked like kids tend to look when they have just been through something that kids should not ****ing be put through. My god, I'VE HAD ENOUGH!

Sorry.

[creztor]

rupert, have you decided as to what you will do next? Long left on your contract? Assuming you have one.

[rupert shellgame]

I don't have a contract, they rent me on a month-to-month basis. I was hoping to stay until early 2011, but I don't know if I can take it that long. I know I will miss a great deal here. But probably nothing more than the money and healthcare. And that's not saying much about this place.

I was considering getting rid of this joyless buxiban job and doing a visa run, coming back and doing part time work, a kindy, something like that.

Anyone know if it's possible to get a six month tourist visa?

[creztor]

I thought the longest they can be extended is 6 months I believe but there is no way to get one that is valid for 6 months (correct me if I am wrong, wouldn't be the first time). I thought it was like 60 days and then you had to get it extended with a valid reason.

[rupert shellgame]

Yeah, that sounds right to me. I just thought I had heard of someone getting one for six months.

What do they consider a "valid" reason for extending it?

[creztor]

rupert, I was studying Chinese and had to get it extended every 30 days. I guess something like that would be "valid". You may want to consider that but the downside obviously being you have to pay for Chinese classes.

[rupert shellgame]

hmmm, so I think my question is: where can I get some rat-ass cheap chinese classes?

[creztor]

I am not sure where you are, but in Taipei there are a few places like TLI, I think that's what it is called. Here in Kaohsiung (Wenzao) it basically cost me 150NT an hour and had to do 2 hours a day, 5 days a week. Was the cheapest way to stay legally and not worry about having to do visa runs every few months etc. Just pick up an English newspaper and check the classified section. Should be plenty of schools providing classes. Good luck.

[rupert shellgame]

Hi, it's me, the original poster. I am in that same cafe right now. That same CD is playing, on repeat.

Have you ever heard just really bad music? Like you can't imagine why anyone would make this kind of music? The kind of music that makes a Kenny G look like a Beethovin?