Looking back at this thread, you gave the first impression of being patronizing and holier than thou by attacking SMGS after he made this post:

http://www.eslteachersboard.com/cgi-bin/forum/index.pl?read=73115

San wasn't trying to accuse you or to say things to hurt you in any personal way. He was merely offering his perspective on things, but then you decided to bite back with this:

http://www.eslteachersboard.com/cgi-bin/forum/index.pl?read=73126

You sounded awfully defensive. You wanted to tell the person off because he questioned your earning methods. Well in your original post you admitted you had "side earnings". I've know people who have claimed to make Gulf country money in china by doing two or three gigs at the same time. However you fail to see the fact that most people do that have this type of luck. With china it's almost completely dependent on how you look. You could have the best english in the world but if you're not in the right ethnic group you're not going to get the best paying jobs. Work side jobs and having private students to tutor will also not be as easy. What San probably meant was you were not earning legitimate money that was 16,000 - 18,000. It is rare to meet any foreign teachers making that type of money.

The esl expat community in china is a reflection of the inequality in general. You get a few expats who teach who make REALLY GOOD money due to having the right looks and being able to pick and choose almost any type of teaching job they want. Then you have the rest of us who either choose not to do this or cannot be given a chance to. That is a fact.