When it comes to those kinds of projections, you just have to remember that the opinions (or indeed merely just projections) of some people are of zero value.

Examples of this? I've seen people on here try to suggest that myself or others were bitter pretend teachers, shit teachers that got fired or whatever; but even if that was true (I'm only average at best I think), one would struggle to take them seriously when they wrote their whole damn post in Chinglish.

Yes, there's a lot of truth in what you said.

As for that 'memory lane' comment... LOL. Teaching should ideally be something that you get away from in order to get a decent job, or something that you move towards to get away from more strenuous work when you head towards retirement. Being an ESL teacher doesn't make you part of an exclusive club.

If you're getting on a bit and want less strenuous work, you have to be lucky and careful in China. It can be bloody hard work just getting to your classrooms, up and down various blocks, along windy corridors (in the winter) of huge middle schools or universities- or both in one day. Maybe nowhere to sit and have your lunch. Perhaps a nice heated training centre might be attractive- although they are not so keen on you when you're getting long in the tooth.

We probably kill a lot of dreams on this board, but it's for their own good

Yes, well, advice is not easy to get right sometimes-but you seem to do a good job.