"Some schools refuse your demands because there is simply no law stating that they have to be provided, jeeez, and you call me confrontational... besides the apartment with provided furniture and other periphery, it's not the law in China to provide a PC...unless there is a SAFEA regulation stating otherwise, which I sincerely doubt, and which you obviously haven't bothered to check. I agree with almost all of your postings, except this point, and it is a pertinent one."

Oh my God, what are you on about? Don't keep resorting to "the bleeding obvious" Do you think I don't know that it isn't Chinese law to supply a computer? (The flowers that bloom in the spring tra la has nothing to do with the case) Why should there be such legislation? There is also no law to say you can't demand one[computer]- No confrontation involved, the boss has the right to refuse and I equally have the right to say that I am no longer interested in the position.

Another thing i always insist on apart from microwave etceteras is a new set of pots and pans, a new rice cooker, water dispenser and all new cooking utensils-these all cost money and I don't like tat. i get all these things added to the contract beforehand.

This new university I've made it known before I arrive that if I'm not wined and dined by the leaders upon my arrival i will not be well-pleased. It's all to do with getting off on the right foot.

Right, i really cannot answer any further stuff for a couple of months-I have to paint my soffits and fascias before I go. Look forward to speaking in a couple of months.

"Actually, on stepping back, it seems you are the one bent on confrontation because of me having some past squabble with your brother/best friend in Central China, that you haven't been able to let go after nigh on 3 years.

Some facts:

1. I am not in China at this time, and have no plans on returning.
2. Yes, it pays to be reasonable, flexible,call it what you will. Although I will agree with you being Mr Reasonable in China won't get you far. It still doesn't entitle you to your own pc in your apartment. I have worked at a very good university in Guangdong province, I can forward details if necessary, and they never provided PC's in the ft's flats, although internet was available through the LAN if you had a laptop, and of course PC's in the FT's office. Some schools may do it, and give you a top of the line PC, others may give you a three year old dusty beast of a PC, some places not at all...it all depends on the admin of said place, wouldn't you agree?"

Well Dear Boy, I'm gobsmacked, the bloke you had a relationship with in Central China is unlikely to have been my brother- my brother, my elder brother, is 75 and hasn't left Portsmouth for about thirty years. So, whoever this chap was, I'm sorry the relationship ended over a silly squabble, you must have been close.

As for your statistics about schools offering computers or not, dusty old ones or otherwise, I don't give a tinker's curse. If a school doesn't give me what i want I simply don't go there. Some schools have refused my demands-I don't work for those schools-How you can argue with that beggars belief.

I can't stop FT's taking on really bad contracts like with this crappy Suzhou place, that you don't have much to say about, I can only say do not sell yourself too cheaply and don't be scared to bargain with a school or simply reject a hundred employers until you find a suitable one for you, with computer or not

'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.

"Do you expect a computer?" TL asked me

Too true, I do! I have turned down quite a few jobs in China because they have refused to give me one- In exasperation they usually bring out the old chestnut "it's company policy not to provide one" which I respond "it's my policy to be provided with a computer," and a printer, and an undertaking to provide a new ream of A4 and replace toner whenever needed- I'm not a handout sort of teacher; however, they seem to like them and as long as it doesn't cost me anything I will as they relish saying in China "cooperate" If an employer doesn't give me what I want I end communication and move on. FT's that have put up with (dare I say it?) NONSENSE and not prepared to stick to their guns as to want they want in their contract have a lot to answer for, they have enabled outfits like this SUZHOU DIVE to get the upper hand and treat FT's like shite. Having said all that, one shouldn't complain about the lack of provisions on arrival at a school if you haven't agreed with the employer beforehand as to what should be provided.

Do whatever hours you like TL, just do your sums beforehand to make sure things make sense.

I fly out on Wednesday, hope there's a few Thai birds to greet me.

Back in my homeland, I used to deliver Chinese carry-out meals to customers of a Chinese takeaway by means of an old van I had bought at a car auction. My wages were meager, but as it turned out, better things were to emanate from such lowly employment. One of the counter girls was a Suzhou girl who had had an American boyfriend in that city prior to venturing abroad. He had taught her English at a public college there. That was his third teaching gig in China, where he had initially taught at a private school after arriving on a tourist visa. In Suzhou, he had met many foreigners and spoke to her about Raoul Duke, who had given him much valuable information as to where not to teach in return for standing that old China hand drinks all night long. Turnoi's name came up in the conversation, and from what I was told by the Suzhou girl, Turnoi had subsequently given the American much useful advice on how to stop a dishonest local Chinese employer from cheating him out of his end of contract air fare allowance. Turnoi had communicated via the internet with the American to impart advice to help the young foreigner get his air fare allowance in full. The Suzhou girl gave me one piece of advice that I took without hesitation - she said I should contact Turnoi before deciding where to teach in China. I did so, and have never had any regrets about it since then. If Turnoi says a job is not good, don't take it, simple as that! He's helped countless foreigners like me. There's no substitute for experience, and he's got stacks of it.