Job Discussion Forums

[ShawtyPut]

From the Atlantic. Rent a White Guy.
Is this common?

[Laurence]

there was a period of time a while back where white guys could go and get work in Japan and Taiwan - well paid work was abundant and the only requirement was a willing attitude and a pleasant enough appearance

slowly, more and more people came, wages didn't rise with inflation, and visa requirements became stricter and stricter

the same thing is happening in China now - especially in the modern, desirable locations.

I thought the article sounded like it was written in 2002.

being white might land you an easy 6000 yuan per month as an unqualified language teacher, but it's not like people are queueing up to dress you up as a corporate type and shove money down your pants


so dream on ~

[ShawtyPut]

[Laurence]

yes I saw the date - I was just pointing out that I didn't think it sounded contemporary, but a dated ideal

like 'Charisma man'

[Miles Smiles]

I am a longtime reader of Atlantic Monthly. James Fallows (a respected reporter whose articles often appear in Atlantic Monthly and on National Public Radio), often makes comments that are pretty strange, things that just don't happen in China, though he represents himself as being "in the know" about many things in China.

The writer of the article that you cite may have taken his information from anecdotes and created his story from that point. His premise makes for an interesting article that caters to American elitists. There are too many unknowns in the story, and too many holes for it to be taken seriously.

I see advertisements for non-teaching positions which DO require experience and education. I have met enough American non-teacher expats in China through the years to know that the author's Atlantic Monthly story is not representative of the majority of positions that are offered to westerners.

Take a look at zhaopin.com. You'll see the kinds of jobs that are offered to experienced workers who seek jobs in China in various industries.

For a better look at the relations between Asian and western industries, read "The Economist", a magazine whose contributors include people who work in and are knowledgeable of all areas of global international industry.

If he had written about white faces teaching in Chinese schools, the article would have held much more credibility for me.

[bradley]

My friends in Shenzhen still get hired for these kinds of jobs, although usually it is just for weekend meetings.