'As I said, you don't get a computer for free, not even as a teacher in England, my brother had to buy his own at his house, seems you have an entitlement mentality that they should provide you with one, it's not actually a legal requirement in China, unless someone can point out any different, or there is some obscure SAFEA law I missed!?! I will however agree with you on they can afford it, but pull out all kinds of bullcrap about why the FT can't have this or that provided or repaired in his/her apartment. One of the reasons I am glad to be out of China, and never plan to set foot back there again. But more power to you for staying, I certainly got burnt out of it all...I agree that giving you a printer (not all schools do this!) but then bitching about toner or A4 paper is pathetic."

What's all this "you have to buy your own computer for your own house in England" got to do with the price of fish? It seems you are just hell-bent on confrontation, and coming across as Mr Reasonable FT. I will tell you that Mr Reasonable in China will not cut any ice.

When I interview a boss in China I speak to them for hours on the phone and go over the contract with a fine tooth comb, getting changes where I can. I get myself the best possible deal-this isn't bitching it's getting agreement-bitching usually exists where there hasn't been an agreement about this or that.

Teaching in China is not really a proper job because any old Tom Dick and Harry is doing it. I myself wouldn't get a job cleaning out the toilets in an English school. I don't expect to save up a nest egg out of the work I do in China but it must pay it's own way. I find that all the little savings I can make whilst in the country all add up and enable me to take nice holidays during that year. I do not stroll around China like the big I am FT throwing money around like confetti, I live carefully like the Chinese. I refuse to speak English(except to FT's) outside of the classroom-I only speak English if a Chinese can speak better English than i can Mandarin, which now never happens. In fact this year i will be teaching in Mandarin a lot for non English subjects.

Don't use me please, to distance yourself from winging FT's (as you see it) and set yourself up as Mr Reasonable. I reach an agreement with my employers and like them i like saving money. Got nowt to do with bitching-that's more like wot you are doing now.

We should get back to the subject of evil Suzhou.