User Comments - bodawei

Posted on: English Teaching Jobs in China

You have probably noticed that this does not make sense, in English anyway.

The age limit that I have most often heard is 60.. so, as yaosiyi says, it may be difficult in some situations if you do not have your foot in the door before that. My advice would be to get good advice on this matter, and practice the persistence that often serves you well when living in China. And good luck.

Posted on: Eating Idioms, Part 1

I have learned Sichuan and Yunnan majiang but my teacher has played many styles - he went to uni in Wuhan and it seems he spent the whole time playing majiang, hee hee.

In our games if you don't say 找牌 in the round before winning, you are penalised.

There are many regional words used in majiang - some of them are funny and many are risque. This is what makes the game a lot of fun. When I get time I will post some of the terminology we use.

Posted on: Eating Idioms, Part 1

Thanks for those links Baba, I will get into them when I have time. There is much to learn with majiang, both culture and language. I didn't realise that there are lessons.

Posted on: Eating Idioms, Part 1

打麻将的时如果赢了，我一般说：’完了！‘ 还有刚才完了以前应该说：’找一个或者‘找牌’。‘

Posted on: Bank Transactions

'70% thing'

I'm not sure but I assume this is set in Beijing for my kind of contract. But it is easily avoided as I have said above. I didn't mention above that the admin charge in Chinese banks for transfers is remarkably low - or maybe more likely the charge in Australian banks is remarkably high. :) Also for atm withdrawals outside your city or at another bank - I think my bank charges 1 rmb from memory.

Posted on: English Teaching Jobs in China

Great topic team, you've answered some FAQ on these boards!  

Maybe not so well known, although English is the main teaching opportunity, there are jobs in a number of other subject areas.  I hear people say 'I'd love to teach in China but I don't want to teach English'.  From my experience these are business subjects mainly, I guess, including accounting, but also literature (the Chinese divide the world up as either American or English literature), anthropology, and a range of other languages. In my case economics. I even have a foreign friend who teaches Chinese culture. There are also a range of opportunities as foreign experts in areas such as agriculture and the sciences. And at high school level you can find jobs across the full range of subjects such as where kids are preparing for foreign public exams.

The comment about culture shock, even getting lost reminded me of an experience being lost within a day or two of arriving.

I will look out for the blacklist with interest.  I agree with the comments made in the podcast - the universities may pay less but they are usually much better employers and the differences soon become painfully clear. 

Posted on: How to Start a Conversation with Chinese People

你好吗? is something Chinese people say when they see a foreigner. :)

Actually the 'ban' on 你好吗? is something of a little myth. I overhear people meeting at the bus stop and saying this to each other. Perhaps they learnt it from foreigners? Another explanation is that the question shows actual concern.

Posted on: Bringing Pets into China

Hi toianw

This is one of the representations that appeals to me; I was told that he has a big belly that functions as a sponge, absorbing all of the 'bad stuff', so leaving the world a better place. Have you heard this interpretation?

Posted on: Bank Transactions

'Does this work?'

I got the paperwork done for 2009/10 but didn't use it (so I can't say it worked for me); I didn't use it because I discovered I could take the full amount by using an atm. 1. I could take 100% rather than 70% allowed under my contract; 2. Much easier. You need to check which English bank accepts your Union Pay card.

Posted on: Eating Idioms, Part 1

haha, 准备好了.