In reply to "rater" --When someone becomes the jury, the judge and the executioner, it becomes clear that 'truth' -- as a matter of opinion -- has no apparent value. I won't say what I really want to say but the internet is full of short sighted beguilistic ''boneheads'' that become the authority of all situations based on their own opinions.

For the record, in Chinese culture there are many who believe that in the first year of employment there may be individual management in an individual location that will attempt to screw an employee. It is then said that -- in Chinese culture -- after the first year of service, "IF" the respective employee has proven an inderterminate value to the company, it is expected that the employee will screw the individual management for their own personal benefit by negotiation. Need I say more ... screw for a better deal before they screw you. If a loss was incurred then perhaps the legs were not long enough and the servant di not serve admirably enough -- welcome to the world! If an individual lacks the intestinal fortitude and interpersonal skills to achieve in this 'dog eat dog world' -- so be it!

However...read between the lines "rater" -- I have fought for foreigners, stuck my neck on the line for many of them, negotiated better deals for them etc. -- at the end of the day; I do not work in Wuhan nor have I for more than three years; I only recruit for the individual management in one city and I might add, due to some hard fought interpersonal battles, it is a great management team yet still imperfect. In addition to that, I have refused to recruit in other cities for more than two years based on the fact that there are too many 'wanna be kings and queens' in this industry who do not value ethics, loyalty, contractual misinterpretations are common etc.

That is without saying that 'wanna be kings and queens' are on both sides of the fence. In that, many foreigners who come here are 'square pegs' -- including me! There are too many, both male and female, with huge egos, even bigger reflections of what they think the world owes them. The greatest in this kosmos are the ones who 'put up' and 'put out' -- those who find a place to serve and just do it! -- even under the duress of personal imperfection and constitutional imperfection.

This is the main aspect I milk as an individual; as foreigners we are not Chinese, we don't fit, neither do we have to fit--that in itself is a benefit if you know how to 'milk the cow to get the cream.' However, although I am not here for personal financial gain --it is still good to get a good deal -- but to get the 'cream' it still requires intense social skills at the coal-face to forge your own distinct sphere of influence. Wherein, you may have some determinate control of your own spatial dominion. Dominators dominate! Rulers rule! Do both-be both!

If one is of above average intelligence, they might be able to catch the drift on this thread and advise the many wanna be's -- that -- quote Kaibo -- "service is the ethic upon which dominion is established in this industry" and if an individual proves their service ethics and the client speaks the voice of approval then the 'screws are driven by the driver' -- rather than the screws being driven by the prognasticratory voice of defense.

At the end of the day, there is nothing ever perfect in an imperfect world, least of all me. I have no regrets on the service I have provided at NDI to the Chinese people. I did it not for the company, although I am indebted and grateful to be the longest serving FT in this org, and indebted to the founding directors for showing faith in me as an individual. In addition and in suuport fo the maligned reputation of the founders of this company, I am indebted and thankful for them ruling against individual management to support foreigners that I recruited, for providing a company structure, though not perfect, that can provide the avenue to serve, and for providing me with a residency permit spanning six years (not five) in the PRC.

There is no be all or end all in this topical thread but it needs to be said that, let the judge support what the finding of the jury determines and let the judgement reflect truth and equity -- in value and in justice.

Selah!