Dragonized
- 2010-04-19
Laowai who are living in China find themselves in the predicament of having a lot of time on their hands but not knowing what to do with it. However the COST of things in China isn't necessarily any less cheap than that of Europe or North Ameriica especially when it comes to electronic items, foreign alcohol, and general imported goods. These expats then realize that they're making the equivalent of above average salary in China where they're expected to live "comfortably". This leads to dangerous opportunities to meander and waste time indulging in things that can get them in trouble. This is an ongoing issue for a lot of teachers in China and the real problem is the lack of a caring atmosphere that can also make the teacher feel like they can talk about some things they feel uncomfortable with. Unfortunately most work places over in China don't offer this, so it comes down to experienced expats helping newer expats adjust to the environment.
L-E
- 2010-04-19
"Neither a borrower nor a lender be" is an old saying worth sticking to among all foreign teachers in China, some of whom have been in China awhile and have adopted the dishonest Chinese culture of not repaying their debts on purpose, as practised by bottom-feeding Chinese.
What you describe can easily happen to foreign teachers in China who are too quick to trust their fellow foreign teachers. Some foreigners here have developed an insatiable taste for expensive rye and fast women, especially in the big cities, where they find their salaries are not high enough to pay for their expensive pursuits. Laowai bar flies will often try to dupe their fellow foreign teachers in order to obtain additional funds. Never ever oblige them!
There is one thing that really irks me here in China- FT's who borrow money from other FT's and never pay it back! I lent 2800RMB to a so-called "friend" of mine in Jiangsu two months ago and not only has he not re-paid the money, I have found out that he spent it all on Jim Beam and ladies of the night! he said it was to help his sick brother in Guangzhou!