That made me smile. I'm surprised that this came from the same guy who wrote that "Useful Idiots" blog. It just goes to show that people can be insightful on one topic, while pigheaded on another. I'm sure expatlife has his good sides too; the less endearing qualities just reared their ugly heads during ... Full Comment>>

Yes, it's true that I had hope this would be a guide with useful tips on how to get a better job. But it doesn't look like there's anything useful in it for me. I don't want to live a life of luxury in a big city, just lead a happy life near my wife's hometown. I'll mention some words that are truly useful for ... Full Comment>>

I have a blog on the ESL teaching topic, which voices a great deal of complaints, but I must admit that I've mellowed in my condemnation of teaching. The staff responds to my needs now, and the quality of teaching increases. I came to China hoping to teach mainly adults, but the money is in 3-12 year olds, whose ... Full Comment>>

I could stomach the first 1/3 of this paper, until all the self-aggrandizement, narcissism, consumerist slogans, vitriolic value judgements and blatant gloating became too much for me. You're 26, and not unlike me at 26, you're just not a nice guy yet (although I was unpleasant for different reasons). Maybe I'll ... Full Comment>>

Right, I'm guessing the world makes complete sense to you this way. But have you even considered the fact that Chinese are very reserved and moderate in their behaviour, that mainzi (saving face/preventing embarassment) causes people to stick to the beaten path more than in most cultures, and that there is actually ... Full Comment>>

chinese education is very intense in the early years. but all this does, is teach kids that life is about making people happy. if they had any intellectual curiosity or creativity, the heavy school schedule beat that out of them. they go to university focused on money, family, and doing what they must to get the ... Full Comment>>

I just realized that i've overlooked an important factor in this article. laowai was deliberately left untranslated here. either the article writer thought it would be cute for expats to read the word shouted at them everyday in the streets, or it was put in there to convey all the value judgements, ... Full Comment>>

The situation matters. Some people think they're being cool by using racist terms, and hope it will get them friends. But they'd never tell a n*gg*r joke in the presence of a black person, and wouldn't call any asian a chink to their faces. Some American men also have an awful habit of talking about women with huge ... Full Comment>>

Well, I think that you're touching on the subject of stigmatism. In the Netherlands, the regular term for foreigner (buitenlander) had become so heavily charged with negative stigmas, that it was cosidered no longer PC, and newspapers had to use a more official term (allochtoon). But this new term is also becoming ... Full Comment>>

Whether laowai is truly derogatory? Everyone I ask assures me that it's merely an informal term, and can only become derogatory with negative tone and context. Online translators confirm it. It doesn't compare to chink, nazi or kracker, which couldn't possibly be anything but negative. In my opinion, anyone who ... Full Comment>>

I'll concede that I don't know enough about the term. I didn't learn about it until I surfed the Shanghai Expat board last year, after which I started recognizing "lao WAI" on the streets, in between the WAAAs & Hao Gaos. To be honest, I don't feel much better knowing that the term is derogatory. My ... Full Comment>>

Because people on the streets here address me with 'laowai', and I can see from their demeanor that it wasn't meant to offend. It's true that Chinese are blind to their own inconsiderate nature, but nevertheless the term is not innately charged with negative racial connotations. 'Chink' on the other hand, is only ... Full Comment>>

Nazi and.... chink? A racial-superiority extremist .... and a partner of another race? Why don't we call them colonial oppressor and Red Army Guard while we're at it? Full Comment>>

Contrary to Mr. Zhang, I believe that Chinese language plays an irreplaceable part in the LACK-OF-thought processes and spirit of China's religious folklore and illusion of civilization. The study of Chinese in schools carries with it not only cultural arrogance but also a sense of inflated pride and misguided ... Full Comment>>

Laowai isn't nearly as derogatory as chink, you know. It's an informal term, like 'brother' for a black man. Heavily context-dependant. In this context, laowai seems fine. I'd say 'Shanghai Woman' has just as much negative connotations in China. They have a bad rep in the country, and referring to her as ... Full Comment>>

I got in a taxi the other day, and the driver couldn't change my 100 note. He accepted the 2yuan change I had and my apology instead. I'd say China is the one place where I've actually met a nice taxi driver! Full Comment>>

Ha! The last think I'd expect from this rant was a serious job offer. Shenzhen is far away, but if the terms are decent, it might be worth it. I'm not entirely comfortable with an employer knowing my ranting internet persona, but it can't hurt to communicate. Full Comment>>

I openly show my irritation now when big Brians thoughtlessly assault me for negative attention. I'll knock away their reaching arms with force that should be reserved for adults to drive the point home. Their cuddly foreign toy frowning at them, defending himself and singling them out is an unpleasant, ... Full Comment>>

Blame the penalties here for causing such blind panicked reactions. Death penalty given out for too many things. Excessive payoffs required by victims. These idiots probably think: "If you're gonna cripple my family, I might as well make sure you don't profit from it." And the only surefire guarantee of ... Full Comment>>

Yup, it's like marriage, especially here in China where women's priorities are put above all else (safety and stability at the expense of morality and fairness). As for the letter, a teaching assistant spent a whole afternoon translating it, and a meeting was held with management staff in order to discuss it. There ... Full Comment>>

The language that these 'leftover' daters use is no less warped than the opulent posturing that young daters use. It's not about personality, and the factor love is out of the question for these cynical characters. Even if I were a 'leftover' single, I'd still have my dignity, and be more interested in personality ... Full Comment>>

I know you meant no offense, but it's a sensitive topic because yes I'm being affected by anti-immigration laws. Usually I get criticism from smallminded nationals who talk like my wife and I are the ones who wish to do harm to them by simply moving to another country. You can imagine how it feels to be a victim of ... Full Comment>>

I have fun with the kids too, and I value the happy smile of a child as much as anyone. It's just that parents and staff do nothing when kids are bent on (literally) grabbing your attention negatively. It's only with great reluctance, and after many complaints on my part, that they feel forced to pay a little ... Full Comment>>

I've seriously considered it, but my situation at the moment isn't as comfortable that I can accept an easy position for salary lower than 9k. The 5-7k that most public positions offer isn't going to provide enough to pay loans, mortgage and necessities for my young boy. I'm resigned to being a dancing bear for this ... Full Comment>>

Disgusting how a decent education is reserved only for those with money to waste. I'll probably do an even better job if I home tutor my own kid, and it seems there's little choice with these prices. Hopefully I can get out of China within the next few years, before my baby boy is school age. Then he'll get a decent ... Full Comment>>