Thank you for trying to understand. You seem to be a very open minded person and your opinions are appreciated. I am truely sorry for the middle aged thing. I am tecnically middle aged too i guess, but i am not talking about myself. I have actually seen a couple young losers here just out for a good "roll in the hay" so to speak. It is disgusting when the other person gets left here to think about the mistake they made trusting a foreigner. Also bad for the teachers that follow.

Im glad you have an honest friend, that trusts & respects you here in CHina. Im sure it makes your life here easier to have her as a friend. If you have been in China a while, though, you will be aware of how respect works for Chinese people. Many times my friends/students say what they think I want to hear. It is out of respect & friendship that they do this. I guess I have been here too long because this is totally acceptable to me now. Its the right way of doing things here.

Cheers. Good Luck In China. Hope you are happy for as long as you are here.

> Absolutely agree with you about "taking advantage"...I did
> re-read your post, maybe the middle age thing sticks in my
> craw...since I am (middle age that is). Yesterday, I had this
> discussion with a 24 yo Chinese female and she agreed quite
> vehemently that age was not a barrier to any sort of relationship
> except that in Chinese eyes, the man must be older than the woman.
> Let's be friends...sorry if I let the "middle age" remarks
> become too important.
> Cheers,