Hi "The Bully Wee". You make some good points, but I will have to disagree with you on some points for sure. Overweight women SHOULD come to China to teach you say?! Really?! I've known some overweight women teaching in China, and some not even overweight by their own countries standards. Pretty much everywhere they went people talked about how fat they were. I've seen Chinese people pointing at such women, noting that their thighs touch each other when they walk, and even imitating the way they walk. So, the woman should have very thick skin because she will hear "tai pang" (too fat) everywhere she goes. Actually, any shortcoming or flaw in one's appearance will be duly noted, including by students. Comments that one is beautiful or whatnot should be ignored, as they have not bearing on the reality. I would strongly disagree that it is an advantage to be fat, and therefor stick out even more, as a foreigner in China (especially if you are a woman, and will be subjected to highly critical competitive glances from other women). I would HIGHLY disagree that overweight woman are respected in a Patriarchal society in which average women often get around in ridiculously high-heels and short shorts to compete with sex-workers and hold on to their husband's attention.

Sadly, I know of one overweight woman who was refused a job specifically because she was "too fat." They told her so. No, it is not desirable to be a foreign overweight woman, when is is absolutely undesirable to be a Chinese overweight woman. And what will this woman's chances be of meeting a suitable Chinese man?

Further, when applying for the same job as a more qualified female colleague, I was offered much more money. So, I will have to disagree again that females are preferred over males in schools, or at least higher education. I would also disagree that students are more comfortable with female teachers. This is on a person to person basis, respective of personality, sense of humor…

Personally, if I ran a school, I'd prefer to hire women over men for some of the reasons you mentioned, but in the long run it's a person by person game, and I'd want the best and most able people, which depends not on gender.

Cheers