Torchier
  • I live inInternational
  • NationalityCanada
  • Interests
    tennis, piano, travel, reading

About Me

I have lived in China since 2002 teaching in various universities and a private international school.I ride a bicycle but dream of one day owning & driving a Shali especially now that 1st automotive makes them. Worst dinner experience came over baigiu - an industrial solvent.

Recent Activity

Torchier

Sep 13, 2020 06:01

Articles : Torchier commented on news US Doctor Shocked At Chinese Hospital Procedures, Says It Resembles a Factory Plant

It was too bad you had to find work in a tier 5 city. Some foreigners go the cheapest route and I have no doubt you did. You got the level of care you paid for. I was in a tier 2 city Dalian Liaoning and a tier 3 city Weifang Shandong and both cities had modern hospitals which compared well with Canadian cities. ... Full Comment>>

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Torchier

Oct 17, 2014 09:38

Articles : Torchier commented on news US Doctor Shocked At Chinese Hospital Procedures, Says It Resembles a Factory Plant

Ihd lived in China for 12 years and I felt I had pretty good treatment from the hospitals and their staff. There are different levels of care in the hospitals in China, so if a patient is going to the cheapest hospital there could be problems. I had staff from the Foreign Affairs Dept. or teachers who mde sure I ... Full Comment>>

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Torchier

Jul 15, 2014 05:19

Articles : Torchier commented on news From Syndicates to Child Maiming: Should You Give to Beggars in China?

In Vancouver, I have seen the cocker spaniel on the blanket with the violin player in his 30s on Robson St. I saw this guy in an alley later and followed him to the entrance to Stanley Park where he drove a late model Toyota to the pricier homes on that side of the water. Other people asking for larger amounts of ... Full Comment>>

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Torchier

Jun 20, 2014 10:03

Articles : Torchier commented on news What You Must Know About Renting an Apartment in China

One aspect of renting in China is that in many situations the landlord will rent the apartment "as is" and the cleanup is yours to do. Sometimes a university will rent apartments belonging to staff and these are usually fully furnished. One rule meant to keep women from renting ground level suites is an old rule ... Full Comment>>

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Torchier

May 15, 2014 15:32

Articles : Torchier commented on news Chinese Men, Western Women: Differences in the Dating Game

I've gradually learned what "traditional Chinese woman" and "family oriented" mean to women over 44 - and it doesn't mean they are ready to have your child. You have been absorbed into group think and your ship may be turned around 180 degrees by a septuagenerian captain.If you are a journal writer, I would leave ... Full Comment>>

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Torchier

May 09, 2014 12:01

Around China : Torchier commented on news Chinese Censors to Target Popular US TV Shows

Maybe the censorship committee will have second thoughts about "The Good Wife" since Will was shot and killed (his contract ends and he asked to be let go). Writers could push an old college infatuation only so far anyway before the tension drains out of that relationship. There are already so many dead middle-aged ... Full Comment>>

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Torchier

May 09, 2014 01:48

Articles : Torchier commented on news To Go or Not To Go: Lifespan of Foreigners in China

When does an expat know enough is enough and can that progression be expressed in yearly increments? I think it depends on the stage of life of the expat and what motivated this person to come to China. Perhaps if you are in your 20s or 30s the above patterns may fit. Using western values and psychological ... Full Comment>>

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Torchier

Apr 10, 2014 07:34

Articles : Torchier commented on news Interview: Tom Carter, Editor of “Unsavory Elements”, Talks About Life in China

I agree, get out there and visit cities on your own without the tours and "get lost". Take a bus or a subway and see the people and walk the beat. I've found paint, plaster, tools, wood and screws for my projects by just poking my nose in the stores and looking for what I need. It's there if you look for it. People ... Full Comment>>

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Torchier

Mar 15, 2014 22:49

Around China : Torchier commented on news Former English Tutor Sentenced for Sexually Exploiting Children in China and US

No, I am saying the argument of those who are devising curriculum from the Social Efficiency ideology is based on scientific instrumentalism. A child's behavior is to be changed or shaped according to what society needs and the growth and development of the child is not an issue. It is a value neutral position that ... Full Comment>>

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Torchier

Mar 14, 2014 23:25

Around China : Torchier commented on news Former English Tutor Sentenced for Sexually Exploiting Children in China and US

Dr. Michael Davis is not listed on the staff of ULink school in Suzhou. There is a vacancy for (1) history and (2) English teachers for that staff. Jay Knox is right that the discussion of the main article does not involve college students. However, teachers who are members of a professional association are held ... Full Comment>>

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Torchier

Mar 14, 2014 20:55

Blogs : Torchier commented on murphy903 's blog 8 Bits Of Advice For Foreign Teachers

I think Murphy's advice is a very good place for a newcomer to start. I found my problems with taxi drivers ended when I worked out the shortest route to the new site of the university and give simple directions like zhi zou or yizhi (straight ahead), zuo guai (left)or you guai (right); my mnemonic trick is it is a ... Full Comment>>

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Torchier

Mar 14, 2014 13:59

Around China : Torchier commented on news Former English Tutor Sentenced for Sexually Exploiting Children in China and US

I'd like to respond to comments #11 primarily and #12 as well. I agree with some of the calls that #12 made about being set up by disgruntled students. I saw a teacher immediately suspended by a superintendent because of a 16 year old girl's complaint about sexual harassment at 3 p.m. on a ground level classroom ... Full Comment>>

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Torchier

Mar 14, 2014 00:50

Around China : Torchier commented on news Former English Tutor Sentenced for Sexually Exploiting Children in China and US

There are many people here in China, Thailand, and other countries in Southeast Asia who are teaching English but they are not trained teachers. "Instructor or tutor" would be a better description of their status. Some of these instructors are quite close in age to the college students they teach, and they see ... Full Comment>>

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Torchier

Mar 09, 2014 19:20

Articles : Torchier commented on news Tourism Booms as Mainland Chinese Go to Hong Kong to Sit SATs

Wait until all the states implement the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) that involve frequent batteries of tests throughout the year from kindergarten to grade 12. These standards are really federally mandated and enforced through withdrawal of funding in public schools. Bill Gates and Pearson Publishing are two ... Full Comment>>

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Torchier

Mar 07, 2014 21:56

Articles : Torchier commented on news (Mind-Blowing) Words of Wisdom - Life Advice from a China Expat Sage

In 10 years I've been to 36 cities in China on my own and got robbed in only two railway stations: Guangzhou North and Shanghai North. "He who wears backpack frontwards doesn't get robbed at train stations." The only habit I just cannot get used to is the multi-tasking by clerks. I was booking a hotel in Dalian and ... Full Comment>>

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