Were you around in those days bro? Shit, just how old are you?

Btw, your English is excellent and I know you like to use colloquialisms, so I hope you don't mind a couple of corrections.

It's Johnny-come-latelies and hoi polloi  

I'm 25 and I come from Sweden!!!!  Yup... I shooore is!

That's why I certainly do NOT mind at all any correction to my english - and in fact welcome it as it gives me a chance to make my English better.  Thanks

I usualy use the abc spell check etc - but this computer here does not have the program and I'm too damn lazy to downloads it thru the VPN. Too much trouble!

SEAJ

[ Last edited by  SEAJ at 3-1-2010 23:16 ]

Is the English being taught the "Queen's English"?  Or is "American English" acceptable?  Having been colonized by the Brits, I'm assuming HK prefers the Queen's version...

I'd definitely like to consider such an opportunity only if my lousy American version of English would be welcomed!  And anyone in the US know the cost/difficulty in obtaining certification?

That's a pretty cool link regards to teaching English. I wonder if the acceptance of American English is preferred
or the UK English is the latter status quo. I know I don't have the proper english structure. But definitely would
like the opportunity to check it out.. Great information.
http://www.teachaway.com/form/application.php

There's definitely a 2nd class citizen vibe going on in HK. If you're not a Westerner, which I am, Cantonese, which I also am, or a person whose parents were born on the Island, which I am not, you get looked down upon. If you're from the mainland you're totally screwed. They think you're a bumpkin.

I mean, think about how most of the people on the island talk about the Filipinos or Indians. No offense to anybody in HK, but that's just how I feel.

I had a great time when I was there recently and I would go back in a heart beat but there were definitely some 2nd class vibes going on HK.

sounds like a decent gig, but what's the cost of living in HK? from my observations, almost everyone has to eat out for every single meal. plus clothes aren't that cheap, compared to here in US. or maybe i was just looking at the wrong places?

Yeah - a good way of putting it - "2ND class citizen vibe!"  VIBE is the operative word...and us Chinese here in Hong Kong are very good at concealing it "'in polite society"

But its there, definitely there and people here are smart enuff to never ignore these "vibes."  That's how we all survive.

Just IMHO

SEAJ

[ Last edited by  SEAJ at 5-1-2010 14:21 ]

It's all a matter of your own choice actually.

If you don't mind slumming it - you can have a very low cost of living;  

Even on where you live - you can Ritz it up and pay thru the nose by living in the more "appropriate" addresses for a Westerner or you can get yourself some amazingly cheap digs for an expensive place like Hong Kong i.e. some of the more run-down places like Western, Shaukeiwan, Shamshuipo/Mongkok (Oh WOW - living next to hookers - how nice and convenient!!), or many parts of the New Territories or some outlying island like Cheung Chau etc.

You can dress in Armanis or you can go across the border to Luohu and get some pretty amazing deals for just about anything and everything - even ladies!!

The difference in Hong Kong (and I'd say in many parts of Asia) - and a very important difference - is that the differentials between high living and low living is very drastic/unlike in Western countries where there really is not much choice in how you live and you're pretty well  forced to be in the crowd as far as spending patterns is concerned.

Like I said - it all depends on your druthers!!

Just IMHO

SEAJ

[ Last edited by  SEAJ at 5-1-2010 14:21 ]

A lot of westerners, especially those with families, like to live in the New Territories because of the living environment and the chance to live in a HOUSE. Never been there but I've also heard that a lot of westerners also like to live on Lamma Island. I couldn't stand living in Mid-Levels and I can't afford the Peak.    But if it's full of snobs, I wouldn't want to live there anyways.

Swedish? I don't think so.    Now you sound like a local  

Hey..... I'll get my King Gustaf to serve up our famous meatballs and play ABBA music if you want!!

Hey, you NOT impressed by my knowledge...and anything else I could get from Wiki....about Sweden????   what will it take for me to convince you that I is Blond blue eyed and Swedish??

ROFLMAO!!

Sorry - but I just Loooooove to keep everybody guessin' and you'se just gotta believe that I am What I am!!  

SEAJ

[ Last edited by  SEAJ at 5-1-2010 18:09 ]

Sai Kung IS very nice and quite affordable. so is Clear Water Bay.

And with the Eastern Harbour tunnel - its not that far away from anything - Which can be said about just about every part of Hong Kong I guess!!

It's the traffic jams that gets to me!

There ARE also quite a lot of westerners living in those "Village houses" which are 3 storeys, each 700 sq feet - and the way that some of these houses configures out the 700x3, they ARE quite nice.

As for living around snobs - Nahhh.... most people in Hong Kong don't know their next door neighbour and do NOT go out of their way to befriend others that's too "close to home." You see, most people here do put up their own barriers from anybody knowing too much about them - and as such, you wouldn't even know that you're living among snobs!!  LOL!

SEAJ

[ Last edited by  SEAJ at 5-1-2010 18:10 ]

Ha had a deeper look into those things and asked around, the government schemes are going through the motions, as they invariably re-hire the folks who are currently working NOW, but they have to readvertise every year to make it seem fair.

But you need 100s of hours of experience and certain qualifications, since you are going up against established teachers anybody new breaking in has little chance.

it all depends on how you dress and carry yourself.

if you are a white guy wearing shorts, hiking shoes, and a HUGE camping backpack, you will be treated with 0 respect and ppl will be secretly laughing at you.

if you are a white guy wearing a banker suit, with A. testoni shoes, and a LV damier messenger bag, you will get lots of looks from the ladys.

[ Last edited by  xiaodidi at 10-1-2010 20:39 ]

A Banker suit AND an LV Damier messenger Bag???  

No, not only looks from the ladies - also from "some" guys!  LOL!!

SEAJ

but check out the supply and demand ratio first...one would be surprised....