sam239 on news Is Teaching English in China Worthwhile?(48 comments)
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 on news Is Teaching English in China Worthwhile?(48 comments)
"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 ... Full Comment>>
sam239 on news Is Teaching English in China Worthwhile?(48 comments)
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 on news Tiananmen Crash Update: Two Uyghur Drivers Identified(3 comments)
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 on news “Kill All the Chinese People” TV Show is Petitioned by 25K on White House Website(37 comments)
Yet I heard on a Chinese radio station that China should invade Japan, Russia, and the US, and that was being serious, not a joke, but the overseas Ch. do not protest this. Once again, China and its overseas people are being pure hypocrites. Full Comment>>
sam239 on Coffaholic 's blog Bend Over Britain: China Will Save Your Ass(6 comments)
Haha. The Chinese factory bosses need to get over themselves, as Traveler says they cant even keep themselves with clean air water and food. I know it feels good for the dogged nationalist to post this, but Im skeptical of the claim that UK is on its knees begging to its Chinese savior. Give me a break. Same with ... Full Comment>>
sam239 on news Lenovo Reportedly in Talks to Buy Up Blackberry Ltd.(2 comments)
I wish companies like Samsung would be buying BB. Nothing against China but it seems like the only reason for this "strategic" move is cold, hard cash, not long term thinking. Bye Bye Blackberry Full Comment>>
sam239 on news 10 Habits I Picked Up in China That I'll (Probably) Keep for Life(59 comments)
My impression as well. Full Comment>>
sam239 on news Can China Really Eclipse the US as the World’s Top Superpower?(17 comments)
From my experience with mainland Chinese the latest, university educated young generation (the post 90s), excluding most of the fu-er-dai (spoiled, rotten wealthy 2nd generations)that is, is just about the only hope China has. Actually had dinner with such a group last evening, they were well aware of the uglyiness, ... Full Comment>>
sam239 on news A Killer Hangover: China’s Problem with Fake Alcohol(13 comments)
Wow, soju, that is a devilish alternative. No thanks. I haven't had any problems since buying only a specific drink (example Jack on the rocks) from a reputable bar. Find a reputable place and order consistent drinks, so you know they're trustworthy. Don't buy 5 rmb tequila shots or the special mixed drinks, that's ... Full Comment>>
sam239 on news KFC Customer in Foshan Finds Black Beetle in His Drink(6 comments)
Foreigners are criminals. Foreign businesses are dirty. Foreigners take advantage of China. Blah Blah Blah Full Comment>>
sam239 on news Why oh Why? 5 Bewildering Chinese Activities Explained (23 comments)
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 ... Full Comment>>
sam239 on news From Mosques to Canals: Unbelievable Chinese Investments Abroad(4 comments)
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 on news Danger on the Dance Floor: Dealing with Trouble at Chinese Bars(19 comments)
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 on news Why oh Why? 5 Bewildering Chinese Activities Explained (23 comments)
"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 ... Full Comment>>
sam239 on Coffaholic 's blog Homesickness in China: The things that suck me into a dark hole(4 comments)
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 ... Full Comment>>
sam239 on news Why oh Why? 5 Bewildering Chinese Activities Explained (23 comments)
OK thanks for the time put forth in explaining that. I teach a subject level class for an international program (Chinese management) and find it satisfying and well-paying, 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 time, ... Full Comment>>
sam239 on news Why oh Why? 5 Bewildering Chinese Activities Explained (23 comments)
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 ... Full Comment>>
sam239 on news Why oh Why? 5 Bewildering Chinese Activities Explained (23 comments)
(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" ... Full Comment>>
sam239 on news 237 Foreigners Investigated for Drug and Prostitution Crimes in Beijing(11 comments)
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 on news My Experience as a Peace Corps China Volunteer(7 comments)
Thanks for sharing all that information, I also LOL'd at the Sun Also Rises incident. Good Luck Full Comment>>
sam239 on news Why oh Why? 5 Bewildering Chinese Activities Explained (23 comments)
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>>
sam239 on news Man Offers 1 Million RMB for Woman to Pose as Girlfriend for "Chunjie"(15 comments)
My Chinese friend knows people who have done this for around 10,000. He's paying too much! Full Comment>>