Job Discussion Forums

clark.w.griswald · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 2056

I'm honored to be the subject of a poll even though the two poll questions are somewhat limited! Thanks for the thought anyway!

PS: I exercised the right not to vote!

Pop Fly · Joined: 15 Feb 2003 Posts: 429

What is up with this guy? For the record, I believe Clark to be the most helpful guy around here. He should get more of a life tho, cuz he commits waaaaaay too much time to helping others, especially when others bite the hand that feeds them.

And, erm, "teacha", is it? Just how do you spell ulterior?

Laughing

Reminds me of my old supervisor at Wall Street. On my first day of "training", he got the definitions of sympathy and empathy backwards. I wasn't going to say anything, but he actually asked me if he had it right or not. When I calmly informed him that it was indeed the other way around, he freaked out and went all red in the face. He sent me packing for a dictionary which, of course, removed all doubt as to his stupidity.

After the class, he tore into me telling me never to ever correct him in front of students again.

Sheeesh...Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right....

ramakentesh · Joined: 05 Mar 2005 Posts: 145

Clarke provided me with a great deal of help in the past - but I guess when you scratch deeper under the surface there you realise that there is a greater agenda apparent. Ego can really get in people's way in life.

timmyjames1976 · Joined: 26 Jan 2005 Posts: 148

I am still new here in Taiwan, but as far as I can tell Clark is a straight shooter. His advice has been most helpful.

teacha · Joined: 25 Aug 2005 Posts: 186

Ki · Joined: 23 Jul 2004 Posts: 475

Maybe this is sensorship in a different way. You are allowed to express you views but if they are not met with facts then you are dispelled with. I think that Clark makes a lot of effort to provide as much information as possible. A lot of criticism he has received, through one cause or annother, could be dispelled with quite quickly, but he puts lots of time in championing in for foreigners here.

One problem I have with Clark's posts is that he always needs to write extensive information on everything. A lot of conflict situations evolve not of Clarke winning the fight but of his opponent being too stupified by the fight.

I don't mean for this to be anti-Clark in any way and I would hate for him to cease posting. It would just be nice to be able to read through a post without having to weigh so heavily on previous poets.

teacha · Joined: 25 Aug 2005 Posts: 186

And, erm, "teacha", is it? Just how do you spell ulterior?

Laughing

I am a notoriously horrendous speller. I always have been. I just don't know how to fix it. I also have some form of dyslexia because even when I know something's proper spelling, and read and reread over my writing, I can't SEE that I spelled it wrong. I noticed that early in life and have never gone a month without the shock of finding and error in something I typed after proof reading it many times. Tragic.

teacha · Joined: 25 Aug 2005 Posts: 186

Serious_Fun · Joined: 28 Jun 2005 Posts: 1171 Location: terra incognita

In my opinion, the individual in question, (one "clark.w.griswald"), does not seem to have any other motive on this site besides giving his advice re: a career which he seems to know a great deal about. Yes, there are references to a Buxiban site. This does not constitute a hidden agenda. There are also references to other useful URLs.

Most of us know how difficult it can be when relocating overseas, and sometimes the relocation is not made any easier by local regulations, traditions, etc. which are hard to navigate and/or understand. Throw in a foreign language and it is a stressful situation! Then add an unscrupulous businessperson and you have a recipe for disaster and perhaps even tears. Crying or Very sad

Much of Clark's advice should be read and taken seriously.

We are all just people after all - we all have our opinions (I, for example, despise the Bush administration in Washington, D.C.). We may see things, and experience things, differently. BUT: references to actual data, legislation, and legal precedent cannot be construed as some hidden agenda.

Much of Clark's advice should be read and taken seriously.

I have not noticed much in the way of "ego" on his posts...or even "superego" issues! Most of his posts are patient and are not patronizing despite the fact that the original query could have been solved with a bit of basic research on Dave's or other sites. (Have you ever checked out other bulletin boards or user groups? there would be howls of "RTFM" [ read the f*****g manual ] in response to many of these found on our beloved Taiwan Forum.)

anyway...this is just the opinion of an older guy who has traveled a lot and has dealt with quite a few ripoff artists and other shady characters:

Much of Clark's advice should be read and taken seriously.
(thank God for the copy / paste commands) Wink

teacha · Joined: 25 Aug 2005 Posts: 186

Henry_Cowell · Joined: 27 May 2005 Posts: 3352 Location: Berkeley

clark.w.griswald · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 2056

Let me just say that I am pleasantly surprised by the overall positive impression of most people. It is good to know that the time spent answering questions here is appreciated by what seems to be the majority of posters. Thanks for those comments everyone.

I initially thought that this was a silly thread as of course no one is always right nor is anyone always wrong. I half expected that the mods would remove the thread, but I am pleased that it has been let stand. Polls have been had about other regular users of this forum in the past and it seems fair that as a regular user myself that I become the subject of a poll. I only wish that there was another poll choice in addition to the two listed:

'Are Clark's posts beneficial to the users of this forum even though he isn't always right?'

Despite the limitations of the questions posed, this thread is an interesting read for me, and I do take on board the comments and suggestions made by people.

Pop Fly · Joined: 15 Feb 2003 Posts: 429

Dear Teacha,

Against my better judgement, I am gonna help you with your problem. You can eliminate 90-95% of your spelling errors by composing your message in MS Word first, then pasting it back here.

Please don't start a poll about me.

ramakentesh · Joined: 05 Mar 2005 Posts: 145

mmm. I dunno Pop Fly, you sound awful like your receiving kick-backs for MS Word promotion... Wink

As for Clarke - I really dont know the guy so cant comment much - He seemed like a really helpful guy until I touched a nerve and all I got was assumptions and judgments...

I took offence because - well if someone questions your integrity it is offensive - when someone attempts to patronise it is offensive - when someone assumes that your stupid it is offensive.

But we must all agree that internet arguing is a yawn... So im done with this topic