adb2014 on news 4 Things Expats in China Find Hard to Accept(2 comments)
The number of public holidays. So. Many. Holidays! Full Comment>>
adb2014 on news My Worst Expat Colleagues as an ESL Teacher in China(9 comments)
It's a shame. When I first used this site in 2014, it was full of interesting articles which attracted a lot of comments. Now it's basically a ghost site. Full Comment>>
adb2014 on news My Worst Expat Colleagues as an ESL Teacher in China(9 comments)
Interesting, five comments and only two of them are about the article. Please advertise your services elsewhere, we're not interested. Full Comment>>
adb2014 on news LBH: Why are English Teachers in China Perceived as ‘Losers Back Home’?(15 comments)
In the first few years of ESL teaching, the wages aren't that great. But your salary does increase as you gain skills and experience. Being patient can bring great rewards. Full Comment>>
adb2014 on news LBH: Why are English Teachers in China Perceived as ‘Losers Back Home’?(15 comments)
I'm not bothered at all if people assume I'm a LBH. I have a teaching job I love, a healthy, happy family here and I'm coming out ahead financially. So screw them, who cares what they think? Full Comment>>
adb2014 on news 7 of the Strangest Jobs for Foreigners in China(4 comments)
I once appeared in an advertisement as a quality control expert visiting a factory (I had the tie, lab coat, clip board, the works). In reality, I was a teacher with two young kids, a very modest income and a great need for money. Don't judge me :p Full Comment>>
adb2014 on news The Importance of Respecting “Face” as a Foreign Teacher in China(11 comments)
While we're expected to smile at Chinese staff and parents and give nothing but compliments, foreign teachers (that I know of, at least) are regularly getting slapped, kicked, pinched, groped, punched and pushed by students, some who call out 'you're s**t', 'you are SB' and/or f**k you!' during class. They feel they ... Full Comment>>
adb2014 on news 5 Things Foreigners in China Shouldn’t Do(8 comments)
I'm fine with treating locals with dignity and giving them face. They could also help by not saying childish things like 'hellooo, how are you?' every time I walk past. Respect has to go both ways. Full Comment>>
adb2014 on news 4 Strange Things that Might Happen in a Job Interview in China(6 comments)
Good article and very helpful! Full Comment>>
adb2014 on news My Worst Expat Colleagues as an ESL Teacher in China(9 comments)
Ah, back in the days when Baidu images showed mostly porn pics until it was cleaned up. Full Comment>>
adb2014 on news 5 Ways to Live Local and Save Money as an Expat in China(6 comments)
As someone who has lived in China for 15 years, II have some alterrnative suggestions: 1. Stop buying premium brand coffee (Luckin, Starbucks). Family Mart, C-Ctore, 7-11 and a number of independent cafes sell similar tasting coffee at a fraction of their prices. 2. Stop buying alcohol; but if you must have some, ... Full Comment>>
adb2014 on adb2014 's blog The Reality of Raising Kids in China.(13 comments)
Thanks for the positive comments, and apologies for the article shown as one giant paragraph -that honestly was not how I submitted it. Full Comment>>
adb2014 on news How to Avoid the Bad Western Restaurant Experience in China(4 comments)
The first and most obvious sign would be somewhere that LOOKS like a Western restaurant but is clearly a knock-off. Remember OFC with Obama's face instead of Colonel Sanders? Full Comment>>
adb2014 on news A Lesson in Chinese Education(6 comments)
AN lesson? Some razor-sharp editing there, echinacities! Full Comment>>
adb2014 on news China Considers Removing English from Compulsory Education(5 comments)
I see it as the result of rampart nationalism rather than laziness. Kids are being brainwashed into believing that China is the centre of the world and all things Western (including English) is unneccessary and evil. When I came to China, public kindergartens were able to teach English and celebrate Western holidays ... Full Comment>>
adb2014 on news China Considers Removing English from Compulsory Education(5 comments)
To be honest, I don't think it would make a lot of difference. I've spent a lot of time teaching in public schools and with the exception of some, both teachers and students tolerate rather than enjoy English class.Why constantly force something on them that they really don't want? Let the specialised schools and ... Full Comment>>
adb2014 on news How Foreign Students and Workers in China Get Special Treatment (8 comments)
What seems to be overlooked is that the 'special treatment' here is nothing out of the ordinary in Western countries who, honestly speaking, are much more developed than most of China. No one from the US, UK or Australia in their right mind would take a difficult exam just to go to a Chinese university where they ... Full Comment>>
adb2014 on news 4 Ways to Spot Job Scams in China(17 comments)
There would be a lot less teachers working illegally if it didn't take so long to get a visa. Even if you're changing jobs while already in China, there's still a 2-3 month wait until the new work visa is ready. In the meantime, you have bills to pay, rent due and in some cases, kids to raise and your new employer ... Full Comment>>
adb2014 on news How Can China Remedy its Post-Coronavirus Reputation?(15 comments)
The lack of PPEs when the virus broke, plus the initial denial and cover-ups proves that China learned absolutely nothing from the SARS virus. There was clearly no plan in place to prevent something like that from ever happening again. It seems they just went right back to their old habits and crossed their fingers, ... Full Comment>>
adb2014 on news How Can China Remedy its Post-Coronavirus Reputation?(15 comments)
Um, how about by not starting any more pandemics/epidemics? In this century alone, we've had SARS, bird flu and now COVID-19, all originating in China. With this sort of record, I don't really blame anyone for being angry at them. What I would like to see happen is for China NOT to go back to their old habits. There ... Full Comment>>
adb2014 on news Foreigners Breaking Corona Rules Could be ‘Deported and Banned for 10 Years’(21 comments)
If China insists of labeling foreigners as guests, they surely have a responsibility to make them comfortable and treat them with basic courtesy. For example, when people visit your home, you won't insult them, refuse them food or drink or make special house rules designed to embarrass them, would you? Yelling ... Full Comment>>
adb2014 on news Some Schools Reopen in China as Coronavirus Spread Slows(7 comments)
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the schools in Guangdong open again very soon. Full Comment>>
adb2014 on news Majority of Beijing Expats Working from Home due to Coronavirus (7 comments)
I'm sure they have access to all the first and even second-tier cities. But we only seem to get reports on BJ and SH, because news outlets just (seem to) assume that most foreigners live there. I live in GZ and it can be frustrating trying to get reliable news and updates for my area. Full Comment>>
adb2014 on news Majority of Beijing Expats Working from Home due to Coronavirus (7 comments)
People working from home has been common knowledge for a while now. And why focus only on people in Beijing or Shanghai? Full Comment>>
adb2014 on news Top Tips for Acing a Job Interview in China(9 comments)
Guys, this site does have a jobs section where you can find work. Advertising your professional credentials in the comments section is a complete waste of time. Full Comment>>