I haven't posted here forr the past year or so, but in reading dragonized post, I have to agree wholeheartedly! I managed to live and work in mainland China for five years. I endured it mostly for the wonderful relationship I had with my students, the amazing hospitality of the Chiinese people, and of course, the food (and the prices!). But China is corrupt on a level you can't imagine until you live there for awhile. You must ALWAYS be alert to ripoffs and misrepresenations -- especially from employers and landlords. Every transaction involving money is a game of wits. Trust me (and dragonized).