Jeff,what a wonderful letter.I too am amazed that people will go to another country and expect that everyone and everything will fall at their feet and make their dream come true. WAKE UP PEOPLE!!! Reminds me of the Australian woman who went with her husband to his country of origin (also a developing country) and stayed the whole six weeks in the home neighbouhood because she had to have McD,KFC,and Pizza Hut.
So many people come here with no experience (and often little ability )and expect to be treated like royalty.The attitude of some teachers is disgraceful.While it is true that some schools,or some people in some schools,like to parade "The Foreign Teacher" before the community,most schools,I think,expect us to TEACH - to give the kids some valuable experience with listening to and speaking English.Unfortunately,it seems too many are just having a paid holiday and throw a tantrum when something like student demands gets in the way.
Perhaps some blame should go to the recruiters who paint a rosy picture of China but neglect to inform prospective teachers of the reality.I've been involved in introducing teachers to a school and have gone to great lengths to give them as much informatin as possible - both positive and negative.Nevertheless,teaches who come to China need to be mature enough and well enough informed to understand that they are coming to a developing country and their "old ways" will be challenged.With correct information and a positive attitude life in China can be wonderful.