Job Discussion Forums

[powerrose]

I lived in Japan 2 years and I've been in China over a year. The quality of life for me was way better than China, even though I lived in teachers housing there and a "nice" apartment in China.

Food:
Japanese food is awesome. I never thought of myself as a finnicky eater until I came to China, and there's big bone/fat/mystery chunks in everything, and just lots of slimy and downright gross food. I also get things like rotten milk and moldy-after-one-day bread from the grocery stores here. So, I often make stir fry from the market here, which is nice and healthy, but I soooooooo miss onigiri and yakisoba and sushi and ramen.....

Onsens:
Japan has public baths which are basically the best thing in the world, ever.

Sanity:
There is plenty to complain about in Japan, but it is a very polite, reliable place. When I needed to get a phone in Japan, a guy came to my office and we sat around and drank tea, and I got a new phone. That would never happen in the US. A trip to the post office was a downright pleasant experience.
In China you have to deal with crazy line-jumping, crazy driving, Walmart on Sundays (its like Thunderdome!).... Don't get me started on Japanese trains vs. Chinese trains.

The big problem with going to Japan is there's not really hope for job advancement. There's a lot written about how the Japanese system doesn't really want to let people learn English, so teachers are just tape recorders/monkeys. There are also a lot of non-teaching jobs here in China, so especially if you learn Mandarin, you could easily work in hotels and offices, which wouldn't really happen in most places in Japan. Also, Japan is expensive and I hear that they don't have a ton of jobs available right now.

Just my 2 very subjective cents.....

[MisterButtkins]

[AdrianG4]

Chinese food is what I would call HIT OR MISS

For every delicious meal I order, the next one I can barely or won't finish ..

I ADORE the simple dishes in China (Rice with meat/Noodles in delicous broth, so many dumplings) but the complicated, heartier dishes can be kinda gross.

For some strange reason, my favorite chinese dishes I always get when I have a local friend to guide me ..

HMMMMM ..

Chinese food, I'm totally lost on my own

[cormac]

Personally I love Chinese street food. Sure, its extremely unhealthy but its amazing how great it tastes. Most of the well prepared Chinese dishes are lovely, although I do cringe at the caterpillars or other insects. I've also never gotten to like Chicken feet despite the regular offers by friends. But I have found in China some amazing spicy dishes which continue to be at the top of my favorites food list. Bit it certainly is "hit & miss", but worth the attempts.

I don't have any experience of Japanese food beyond what has been available in other countries, and I've learned that its rarely a good reflection of the real food dishes.

[Josef K]

Adam, the reality is that without experience or a tesol and not being in J you won't find a job there. Your choices are really China/ Korea/ Thailand.
I've worked in Korea for over 2 years and I'm on my way to China. Even though i may be taking a massive pay cut it's really a lifestyle choice, which you indicate is a factor for you too.
Beside, you wont find a bed big enough for you in Japan.
Cheers.

[drjtrekker]

GO TO JAPAN!!!!!!!