sam239

Nov 24, 2013 11:08

Around China : sam239 commented on news US Ambassador to China, Gary Locke, Announces Resignation

Yes, if his statement is taken at face value, it implies that better schooling is available in Washington. I doubt that. Probably just a convenient reason to state publicly. Who knows what the real reason is. Full Comment>>

sam239

Nov 24, 2013 11:07

Around China : sam239 commented on news US Ambassador to China, Gary Locke, Announces Resignation

Yes, if his statement is taken at face value, it implies that better schooling is available in Washington. I doubt that. Probably just a convenient reason to state publicly. Who knows what the real reason is. Full Comment>>

sam239

Nov 11, 2013 18:28

Articles : sam239 commented on news Teaching English in China: Is it Still Worthwhile?

1. Always rent, never buy. 2. You never know when youre going to die. Do what's fun and the money will follow. 3. ESL teaching can be a gateway to bigger and better things. It is also possible to turn it into a financially rewarding career, if you get the proper qualifications. I see no reason to diss people taking ... Full Comment>>

sam239

Nov 11, 2013 15:43

Articles : sam239 commented on news Teaching English in China: Is it Still Worthwhile?

"upwardly mobile" Meh, sounds like a recipe for being rich yet unhappy. We have two different sets of standards for what makes a person "successful". "good career track" Reminds me of the story of the big-name banker who was on vacation in Mexico and found a fisherman who spent his days fishing, and the rest of the ... Full Comment>>

sam239

Nov 09, 2013 19:00

Articles : sam239 commented on news Teaching English in China: Is it Still Worthwhile?

That part, about the economic refugees, is the BS part. Not that there arent economic reasons to be here. A friend working in finance in NYC makes close to 100 grand a year but his lifestyle is similar to an expat making a third the salary here in east coast China, where a 20 minute taxi ride across town costs 3 ... Full Comment>>

sam239

Nov 01, 2013 00:16

Around China : sam239 commented on news Tiananmen Crash Update: Two Uyghur Drivers Identified

You never know when these criminal Jihadists are going to strike. I heard a similar b0mb attack in Thailand. I fully support Beijing's efforts in cracking down on separatism, extremism, and terrorism. Full Comment>>

sam239

Oct 27, 2013 10:12

Around China : sam239 commented on news “Kill All the Chinese People” TV Show is Petitioned by 25K on White House Website

Yet I heard on a Chinese radio station that China should invade Japan, Russia, and the US, but the overseas Ch. do not protest this. Once again, China and its overseas people are being pure hypocrites. Full Comment>>

sam239

Oct 17, 2013 21:08

Articles : sam239 commented on news 10 Habits I Picked Up in China That I'll (Probably) Keep for Life

My impression as well. Full Comment>>

sam239

Oct 13, 2013 14:35

Articles : sam239 commented on news Can China Really Eclipse the US as the World’s Top Superpower?

Yes, innovation is about forming and implementing new ideas, not about money. I don't see how FB is a joke compared to Weixin, the latter has crappy software, no centralized and secure source of downloads/apps, it's not something that people are going to adopt. I think China in 20 years will be much like Japan, it ... Full Comment>>

sam239

Jul 15, 2013 15:46

Articles : sam239 commented on news Why oh Why? 5 Bewildering Chinese Activities Explained

Well even if it's closer to working at Starbucks than being a high school lit teacher, there are certainly ways to use it to further your career. In some ways it might be better than an overglorified "analyst" who's paid $70,000 pa to make excel spreadsheets and PP presentations. Also one of the great things about ... Full Comment>>

sam239

Jul 15, 2013 05:59

Articles : sam239 commented on news From Mosques to Canals: Unbelievable Chinese Investments Abroad

If I'm reading this correctly, the mosque on the front page is not actually an investment, but something a Ch. company was hired to build. The title is slightly misleading. Full Comment>>

sam239

Jul 13, 2013 21:29

Articles : sam239 commented on news Danger on the Dance Floor: Dealing with Trouble at Chinese Bars

Certainly. Drunken Europeans who snottily act like the entire world is their colony are unheard of in China. Only Americans cause problems. Right. Full Comment>>

sam239

Jul 13, 2013 19:58

Articles : sam239 commented on news Why oh Why? 5 Bewildering Chinese Activities Explained

"as telling people here you're a teacher" Well you're certainly welcome to live as you want to live, but it seems like an unwise mistake to base one's career entirely on how it makes you appear to others. To give an example, I have a family member who is (by your standards) very successful, a high-level corporate ... Full Comment>>

sam239

Jul 10, 2013 04:47

Blogs : sam239 commented on Coffaholic 's blog Homesickness in China: The things that suck me into a dark hole

That's one thing I've learned in my various homes across Asia. If possible, never ask questions, directions, or where something is located in a store. "Yes" means "Maybe", "Maybe" means "No", and "No" or "I don't know" are almost unheard of. I think it's due to the "loss of face" BS. Calling them all that might also ... Full Comment>>

sam239

Jul 09, 2013 11:25

Articles : sam239 commented on news Why oh Why? 5 Bewildering Chinese Activities Explained

OK thanks for the time put forth in explaining that. I teach a subject level class for an international program (Chinese management for better or worse) and find it satisfying but it doesn't come with basic-level security such as a pension and good insurance. So something better would be interesting. At the same ... Full Comment>>

sam239

Jul 08, 2013 15:07

Articles : sam239 commented on news Why oh Why? 5 Bewildering Chinese Activities Explained

OK, that makes more sense, but at the same time, I don't know that the kind of "progress" you speak of is that attractive for the adventurous types who would come here as ESL teachers. If someone wants the sort of western lifestyle that you are speaking of, they should go back to the west, where it's going to be a ... Full Comment>>

sam239

Jul 07, 2013 21:19

Articles : sam239 commented on news Why oh Why? 5 Bewildering Chinese Activities Explained

(1) How is ESL teaching not "the real expat world"? (2) There is plenty of reason a western person would live like that. It is China, after all. If you expect businesses to provide your toilet paper for you, then you must be very limited in where you go here. (3) What is a "normal" "successful" life? Sounds like ... Full Comment>>

sam239

Jul 04, 2013 22:38

(Beijing) In Pulse : sam239 commented on news 237 Foreigners Investigated for Drug and Prostitution Crimes in Beijing

Good point about assuming they're black (actually SE Asian seems likely). I'm curious, though, which country do purple people come from? Full Comment>>

sam239

Jul 03, 2013 22:00

Articles : sam239 commented on news My Experience as a Peace Corps China Volunteer

Thanks for sharing all that information, I also LOL'd at the Sun Also Rises incident. Good Luck Full Comment>>

sam239

Jul 02, 2013 19:07

Articles : sam239 commented on news Why oh Why? 5 Bewildering Chinese Activities Explained

Just give into the way things are run here. A 6 pack of Tempo napkins runs for 6 kuai at the local luxury grocery store. It is soft and doesn't rip, even when wet. Just carry a few packs of those around and you'll be fine. Too bad they don't just do it SE Asian style and have a hose in the stall, it's much cleaner ... Full Comment>>