Job Discussion Forums

eslteach · Joined: 28 Sep 2010 Posts: 94

About a week ago I had some problems with a taxi driver. I was pretty drunk and I didnt know what he was saying to me and then he started raising his voice and getting angry, so I got out of the taxi. He only brought me about 100 meters and he didnt bring me where I wanted to go so I didnt pay him. He got out of the taxi, got in my face and gave me a shove. I did absolutely nothing back but someone called the police and for some stupid reason I told them where I work.

Today I got a message from a woman at my school's foreign affairs office saying that I need to have a meeting with them. I asked her what it was about and she said that the police asked her to call a meeting (I assume it is just with other people from the school). She also said that if I don't go to the meeting I might be put on the Chinese Blacklist, which would prevent me from living in China.

As far as I am concerned, I did absolutely nothing wrong. At most, I guess you could say that I was drunk in public (although no Breathalyzer test was done) or that I didn't pay the 5RMB for the taxi.

Is this really enough to get a person banned from China?

7969 · Joined: 26 Mar 2003 Posts: 5782 Location: Coastal Guangdong

in the not too distant past, someone posted what looked like some sort of blacklist on this forum. it didnt have a lot of names on it, and i'm sure whatever those on the list allegedly did was much worse than what you posted here. I wouldn't worry too much about being put on any list.

We had an incident at our school with one FT a couple of years ago, and the police got involved, but in the end nothing came of it. Just go to the meeting and see what happens.

Opiate · Joined: 10 Aug 2011 Posts: 630 Location: Qingdao

Outside of you being deported and not allowed to return, I do not think there is any blacklist.

Do you really think you will get deported over this? Your FAO sounds like a moron.

While at the meeting...bring your own translator....ask the driver for his taxi ID number, name, and the phone number for his employer. Ask him if he'd like you to contact his company and inform them that he verbally abused and physically assaulted a passenger whose only mistake was trying to exit a cab driven by an obviously unstable man. Ask the police who are present if it is acceptable to physically assault a person.

If there was no breathalyzer test...never say you were drunk. In fact, do not even mention drinking at all. If any police say you seemed intoxicated, reply that you were in shock over being assaulted and not yourself. Also point out that you did not try to hide anything from the police and you freely gave them the name of your employer.

Good luck!

Opiate · Joined: 10 Aug 2011 Posts: 630 Location: Qingdao

Sinko · Joined: 21 Apr 2005 Posts: 349

Opiate · Joined: 10 Aug 2011 Posts: 630 Location: Qingdao

Sinko · Joined: 21 Apr 2005 Posts: 349

eslteach · Joined: 28 Sep 2010 Posts: 94

tianfuoe · Joined: 25 May 2011 Posts: 36

Chinese don't like conflict of any kind. They especially don't like the PSB coming into their school and bringing up unplesantries. It make the school officials seem unable to control their staff. It makes it more of a challenge to get RP's for the foreign teachers next year. All these things come into play...and I'm sure other things, as well.

Go to the meeting, be humble, be apologetic. They are going to warn you that your behavior was unacceptable and to not repeat it.

Last year, a teacher here got into a fight in town. Some Chinese punks started it, but he kicked some serious ass and sent two to the hospital for injury treatments. The school got in his face good. The PSB got in his face good. Many threats were thrown at him, but he remained at school in his position for the remainder of his contract. It was not renewed.

Your situation sounds much more tame. You're going to get a "talking to". But thats all. Remain calm, remain humble.

wangdaning · Joined: 22 Jan 2008 Posts: 3154

If the police came and it was settled then it is over. Someone is blowing smoke where the sun don't shine.

I think the opinions on the matter are relevant. I know principle, but just pay the 5 RMB and get out of this situation. In the future it may help you to avoid such questions.

Anyway, unless you have a pending court date (being drunk/drinking in public is not a crime) then your ability to get a visa should be ok. I would go to the meeting and laugh it off. It is like the drunk guy who gets a ticket because he wanted to listen to the radio. Didn't want to drive but has to show up in court. The school might be taking flack for it, it is their job to teach you about the customs and laws of the country.

dean_a_jones · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 1151 Location: Wuhan, China

I have to agree with those saying tread carefully. It sounds like you want someone here to say something like:

well, according to clause x, point y of z, of course you are not at fault and there is no way you could be blacklisted

Unfortunately, you are in a place where connections, face and arbitrary feelings can often count more than things like 'the obvious' or 'fairness'. That is not to say it won't work out in your favour, but I would not assume that your protests of innocence, whether legitimate or not, will have much of an impact. I would be humble, say sorry, and try to resolve it. If it has been escalated to the police and then your school, that is not great.

Also worth noting, taxis here (where I am) have cameras (or at least camera like devices) so if you did anything or acted in any way while in the cab that might come back to bite you, be aware of this.

EDIT: I think the post above is a smart reading--if the police went to the school, spoke to them and are seeking nothing further, then it is likely that the matter is resolved, at least between you, the taxi driver and the police.

brsmith15 · Joined: 12 May 2003 Posts: 1142 Location: New Hampshire USA

By all means, humility is required here. Swallow any pride you have. Bow Scrape. Pay.

What you don't want is anyone - - your school, the taxi driver, the PSB - - to feel they've "lost." Chinese don't do losing well because they can't take any responsibility for their actions.

Let's do a "suppose." Suppose you go to a confrontation with the driver and the cops. You "win." Now you've got one highly teed off driver who has lost face. Keep in mind that Chinese don't let sleeping dogs lie. If they lose, then some form of retribution is in order. The driver gets a bunch of his cronies together and lie in wait for you some evening. The last sound you hear is a loud ringing in your ears.

Lister · Joined: 27 Apr 2007 Posts: 264

There is a chance the driver will invent some story to make himself the victim here, and you will be expected to pay compensation for his hurt feelings, the expensive trip to hospital he needed when he started to feel faint from all the stress of being "abused and assaulted", not to mention the thousands of RMB in lost earnings when he couldn't finish his shift.

Sinko · Joined: 21 Apr 2005 Posts: 349

Mister Al · Joined: 28 Jun 2004 Posts: 840 Location: In there

Tianfuoe wrote

Chinese don't like conflict of any kind.

Then Tianufoe wrote

Last year, a teacher here got into a fight in town. Some Chinese punks started it....................................

The school got in his face good. The PSB got in his face good. Many threats were thrown at him

Sounds to me like sometimes they do. Even in your own confused mind.

Smile