? Sorry to hear of your pension payment problems.

Thanks for your response above.

But as a man of advancing years, and with as you say pension payment problems, don't you think smoking cheap chinese polluted fags is not the most sensible of ideas, believe me I used to smoke, and I don't think my health has ever fully recovered.

Back in the early 90's in China, most foreign teachers were earning 1,200 RMB/month. There were only three premium brands available at that time - Ashima at 11 Yuan a pack, now out of production. Hongtashan at 10 Yuan a pack, now 7 Yuan, and Hongmei,as mentioned.Yep, smoking does harm, but I like it. I use one of those condenser filter pipes to smoke with. It removes a lot of muck, but it's not a cancer preventer, so I'm told. I clean it every second or third day.

Just to say,I'm like you in the respect that teaching here bores me. I'd think twice about returning to Europe if I were you. If you want to chill out, a public job here in China gives you lots of spare time, and a reasonable salary, as you no doubt know. However, as you like!