BD, you were actually in the Marines? And you want to come to Thailand and teach ESL?

Oh, man.

Yeah, you need to go someplace else. You know you sound a lot like me. Pragmatic, hard-working. We're both used to a 'system' of logic and discipline that gets things done back in the states. Those things got us pretty far. And I'll keep on using discipline and logic when I get back there.

You won't see that 'system' here, and you'll be reminded of its absence daily if you teach ESL in Thai-ville. And every day you'll get pissed off. 'Why won't they just do the work?' you'll ask yourself over and over and over. Finally, much more sooner than later, you'll simply pack up and head for Don Muang airport. You wouldn't put up with this baloney for long. I'm barely hanging on, and I'm what one would call a 'bleeding heart liberal'. I can imagine what an ex-marine from the US would think about this place, its education system, or its slacker students.

I think one of the most hilarious ideas for a reality show would be for Lee Armey, the drill sarge from the movie 'Full Metal Jacket', to come to Thailand to teach ESL and portray the same mentality he displayed in that movie. I'd watch it, for sure. That's because I know how it will end. I can vividly see the opening act of the first episode: the main character chokes a Thai kid to death the first few minutes on his new job.

You don't need this place, BD. You'll only get aggravated here, I'm telling you. Thailand is for slacker teachers, not serious guys.