> Over the course of my careers in both ESL and music, I've had the
> privilege of residing and working in many lands alien to my own
> cultural heritage. At times, it represented a most difficult
> transition, that is, until I finally discovered that the
> "differences" were mainly baseless notions induced by
> advertising, rumor, etc.; in short, a figment of someone else's
> imagination. Being an American living in Europe wasn't too difficult
> to handle, but when I finally wound up in Asia -- Japan at first --
> WOW! Did I have problems from the first bloody day, not only in
> accepting the status quo, but actually comprehending the why and
> wherefore of this, that, and the other. But, surprisingly enough, it
> didn't take me all that long to savvy and actually begin to move with
> the flow. I truly began to LOVE the experience. Therefore, I thought
> that China would be a "snap," as well. Hmgh! How mistaken I
> was. Although the PRC is certainly a land of super-modern cities
> which parallel the grandeur and modernness of Los Angeles, Boston,
> San Francisco, etc., a foreigner usually has a rude awakening in
> store. Japan, by this late date, is wholly acclimated to Americans
> and their ways. China, on the other hand, is only just beginning its
> trek toward communication with the Western world, and through the
> medium of English at that. By inviting instructors directly from
> English-speaking countries is certainly a step in the right
> direction, while, even at this relatively early stage, the program
> appears to be alive and healthy. But, with every measure of success
> there is usually an equal degree of failure (growing pains?)-- snags
> which CAN be amended, that is, IF "Barcas is willin'."
> Without getting deeply into the philosophical or psychological
> aspects concerning westerners in China (recently, we've surely been
> reading our fair share of THAT business), let's mercifully reduce the
> whole bloody mess to a science of a few words. China is a land with a
> centuries-old heritage. But, comparing that heritage with any entity
> in contemporary Western society is not the problem. Rather, it is a
> question of one 20th century belief vs. another. This, in fact, is
> the main source of opposition and the basis of all the whining, and
> in many cases, the unfortunate abandonment of one's contract in
> midstream. Let's face it, folks, we of the West are downright spoiled
> in comparison to the average dudes in China's working class.
> Consequently, the PRC is having the damnedest time of it granting
> recognition to the Western world's belief in the rights of man --
> something which is in direct opposition to every known tenet of
> Communism. Under the circumstances, that's quite understandable, yet,
> for the sake of good public relations, the PRC is, at best, placing
> itself in a questionable position by failing to grant exception for
> the sake of retaining its imported "experts." Doubtless,
> the "ism" of ANY country must normally be respected by ANY
> foreign visitor. HOWEVER, when that country is simultaneously
> attempting to create outstanding cultural and economic relations with
> a people whose very existence is wound about a system so diverse from
> its own, and it has gone so far as to invite teaching representatives
> from that land with whom it politically vies -- in this instance a
> deviation from the usual course should be realistically anticipated.
> Yes, an "exception," if only for the sake of good public
> relations. YES, there will always be those disguised
> "ministers of the faith" who will now and then slip into
> the PRC. We've got the same trouble with the occasional communist.
> Let's face it: there's no perfect setup, especially when extending an
> open invitation to those of diverse cultures to live and work amongst
> you. Under the circumstances, there are bound to be disagreements
> galore, while, the way I see things, it would pay for you to be
> prepared for such eventuality in the form of your own
> "experts" being on-hand to straighten out problems as they
> arise. Also, for the sake of preserving the PRC's costly investment
> already made to its most commendable program of English education, it
> would seem only sensible to strictly control the activities of all
> associated schools and agencies. This would also serve as an
> effective means of squelching their already-foul reputation
> circulating among prospective instructors in all English-speaking
> countries. It goes without saying that having to read of major
> improprieties on the international discussion boards each day hardly
> serves as an inspiration to further one's teaching career in The PRC.

> In the final analysis, what I suggest to the Ministry of Education of
> The PRC is to seek out and select the best personnel amongst the
> invited teachers to assist in the actual design and execution of the
> entire English language learning program. After all, with westerners
> assisting to this end, there might be a good chance for fewer of the
> disgraceful foul-ups which are now being reported on a daily basis. I
> further suggest that ours is NOT a conflict of political or religious
> differences. On the contrary, it is but a failure of mutual tolerance
> for our differences, resultant in a major slowdown in the progress of
> a most unique and much-needed nationwide learning program.

> Love to all,
> Ellis

I understand how you feel Ellis, and understand your message, even though I have never set foot in China. I read the daily gripe list. The cultures colliding is merely a collision between the collectivism of Chinese philosophy and the individualism of the Western. The irony in your message however, lies in your closing paragraph, where you suggest to the PRC to seek out the best and the brightest to "collectively" come up with some type of uniform program. I'm not in disagreement with your idea, just wanted to know if you understood the irony of it all?

Your friend, Bill