Got to admit your on the money here.

There definitely seems something afoot in China. It's no longer the nice, relaxed time it was working at the public places say circa 2004-2006.

Things started to go slowly downhill, and more rapidly so, after the Sichuan Earthquake and Olympics (resurgent nationalism?!). Throw in the Shanghai Expo, worlds longest bridge being built, and it equates a "We CHINESE can do it alone, we don't need you or want you, and certainly don't have to pay you more or respect you"

Inflation has certainly happened in China. But salaries haven't risen across the board for FT's in response to that. Some factory workers/hairdressers probably earn the same/more than FT's at public gigs now, and that is not factoring in redemption of receipts for meals, travelling, pension, medical and so on.

Now, like you helped me reconsider Georgia, I'm also not so sure China is worth it, despite my knowledge of the language and working experience there teaching Legal English and Western Law concepts.

Hollandesa lager beers,
THE LAWYER