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kev7161
Joined: 06 Feb 2004
Posts: 5880
Location: Suzhou, China
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 Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2005 4:31 am Post subject: New Posters/Members - Read this! |
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(and all you "old-timers" are welcome as well)
I notice a lot of new names that come onto this site and write one or two lines. Usually, it's something like: "What's the best city to work in?" or "Can you tell me about such-and-such school?" Nothing very substantial, just usually looking for advice. Nothing wrong with that, of course, but then often we'll have a half-dozen replies full of information, warnings, advice, etc. but we never hear from the original poster again!
Here is one such example. I'm not trying to pick on the poster, but I believe that it is their very first post:
| Quote: |
Hello.
Does anyone have any info. on XXXXXX in XXXXXXX, China? I have searched and found next to nothing. The employer is XXXXXX and is waiting on me to sign a contract. (!) This is my first ESL job.
Thank you very much. |
("X" was mine to psuedo-protect the poster)
Often, a new poster will ask something like the examples above and will get little to no response. Here is why, I think: Long timers here have built a reputation, good or bad. They spar with each other and laugh with (or at?) each other. They often seem genuinely concerned about their fellow foreign teacher and his/her predicaments. Sometimes they can be rude and condescending, of course, but for the most part, pleasant and helpful. We are "comfortable" with each other.
If a "newbie" comes along and doesn't say anything concerning who they are or where they are or why they are coming (or have come) to China or anything else of interest, then why should anyone care about replying to: "What's the best city in China?" Do a search - odds are most of these questions have been asked before - - several times over.
It's nice to have fresh voices on this site and even if topics are regurgitated (like this one, by the way), they still can have a fresh spin or at least we long timers can say to ourselves, "been there, done that!" So all you newbies and lurkers who just come here to get a little help, give a little as well, stick around, sit a spell. This site ain't half bad!
Last edited by kev7161 on Tue Nov 15, 2005 8:20 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Roger
Joined: 19 Jan 2003
Posts: 9138
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| Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2005 5:16 am Post subject: |
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KEvin's post was quite to the point. Here a little expansion on the topic:
Some people are great storytellers, especially in the "shock-and-shake-some-coins-out-of-the-readers'-pocket" department. They proclaim they have no funds left, were robbed in broad daylight by their own employer and are down and out. Or something like this. GOod yarns but what about the credibility?
It would be really, really nice to keep us posted if you have received any substantial help; - either in the form of advice or in hard cash or toherwise. IT would be appreciated by this community to know how you are faring after... |
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