Good Day, Silverboy. You are absolutely right, experienced in China teachers do not have to use recruiters, but I assumed the question was asked by a novice; otherwise, why ask the question?

I shouldn't believe all people tell you. Some FT's, lots of FT's, have often failed in life before China and will come out with all sorts of claims about what they were up to in their past lives.

You are very wise to get away during the Spring Festival. I keep telling other FT's that 5000rmb a month not frizzled away in expensive bars and Karaoke is more than enough to save on so the FT can go to Thailand and places during the two long breaks; you are obviously not one of those spendthrift FT's.