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Q: Any Good Reason to Go to China Instead of Other Places?
What's the pros and cons of picking China over say, Japan or South Korea? (Especially South Korea.... ) It seems that Chinese people arent too polite and they drive some people here up the wall from what I can see. For anyone that is in China, is there anything that keeps you there, or will you go somewhere else after that?
For work or holiday? And if work, in what field?
Not that I've really experienced other places, but from what I've heard...
In Sth Korea, they'll work you for your average pay. They are, apparently, more xenophobic than Chinese... but also more polite and friendlier.
Japan - a lot more formal (but also with a serious split-personality with the younger generation seriously rebelling!). Can be xenophobic.. or obsessed. Work you very hard for nicer money. You will NEED good qualifications to get in there! Lots of competition. VERY westernised!
China - not-one gives a toss what you do.. unless they can benefit from it. the pays can be good, and you won't be expected to really contribute or do much. It's just your face that matters. Will take someone's cat if it comes from an English speaking country. (can you say "meow" in English?
Taiwan (country of...) - nice polite people, a lot more world-wise than mainland. You won't be treated as a 'foreigner' as much as the previous countries. Pay can be good - but you might have to spend it more than in China. Also wants to see the qualifications and experience before you get in. Like Japan, VERY westernised. (I met a Taiwanese woman here a few weeks ago. Her husband works here, and she came on a holiday. She had to leave - only a few days earlier than planned - cos she just couldn't take it any more! And this is in Hangzhou!! Hates the people, and their behaviour, etc etc... I laugh at this (not her) - that 'Chinese' hate it so much...)
Thailand... nice place, nice people - when they aren't trying to rip you off!!! Can be serious cheaters and scammers - but with more government backing than in China. Like China, corruption is endemic. Perhaps you're more likely to get beaten up if you complain. But less pollution. And more foreigner-friendly. Much lower economy than the other places mentioned - but you can live better. Also, western items much more common (depending where), and more chance of people who speak English reasonably well.
Singapore... damn expensive, and you'll really need your qualifications and experience to get in!!! However, very nice (except in summer). Super civilised ($10,000SG for swearing in public! Littering is a huge no-no!) Most people are multi-lingual (Cantonese, Indian, English, & Malay) Awesome cultural mix... their airport and zoos epitomise how things should be! A little over-board on the rules.
HongKong - like Singapore, but becoming worse since the hand-over. A lot more mainlanders. More multi-cultural than China, but not as much as Singapore (but it's debateable). Again, quals and experience to work there, and the summer will suck. Very fiikken expensive!!! Has the most expensive real estate on the planet (I was told), around Stanley area.
I've heard stories of people being scammed in South Korea before too. I believe the proper terminology of their training schools is "Hogwon" if I'm not mistaken. I think most people are turned off by the fact that scamming seems to be a bit more widespread here. That and a multiplicity of other things. Anyway, if you have the Asia bug in you, its definitely worth it to come over here for some time. Scams are the major thing to worry about. Good decisions can be made as far as work is concerned, and you should be very careful when evaluating your contracts. Don't come over here on the wrong visa, for starters.
South Korea isn't likely to be very different from China in many aspects. Working habits, social interaction, etc.. will have a lot of common patterns. Imagine a wealthy Chinese province being its own country : that's South Korea. There are cultural differences (language, writing), the balance of pros & cons is a bit different, in the same way Portugal and Spain are different but close.
Being in China for a year or two while you are young and without much commitment can be a nice experience. When that changes, you experience in China will quickly turn into a challenge.
For work or holiday? And if work, in what field?
Not that I've really experienced other places, but from what I've heard...
In Sth Korea, they'll work you for your average pay. They are, apparently, more xenophobic than Chinese... but also more polite and friendlier.
Japan - a lot more formal (but also with a serious split-personality with the younger generation seriously rebelling!). Can be xenophobic.. or obsessed. Work you very hard for nicer money. You will NEED good qualifications to get in there! Lots of competition. VERY westernised!
China - not-one gives a toss what you do.. unless they can benefit from it. the pays can be good, and you won't be expected to really contribute or do much. It's just your face that matters. Will take someone's cat if it comes from an English speaking country. (can you say "meow" in English?
Taiwan (country of...) - nice polite people, a lot more world-wise than mainland. You won't be treated as a 'foreigner' as much as the previous countries. Pay can be good - but you might have to spend it more than in China. Also wants to see the qualifications and experience before you get in. Like Japan, VERY westernised. (I met a Taiwanese woman here a few weeks ago. Her husband works here, and she came on a holiday. She had to leave - only a few days earlier than planned - cos she just couldn't take it any more! And this is in Hangzhou!! Hates the people, and their behaviour, etc etc... I laugh at this (not her) - that 'Chinese' hate it so much...)
Thailand... nice place, nice people - when they aren't trying to rip you off!!! Can be serious cheaters and scammers - but with more government backing than in China. Like China, corruption is endemic. Perhaps you're more likely to get beaten up if you complain. But less pollution. And more foreigner-friendly. Much lower economy than the other places mentioned - but you can live better. Also, western items much more common (depending where), and more chance of people who speak English reasonably well.
Singapore... damn expensive, and you'll really need your qualifications and experience to get in!!! However, very nice (except in summer). Super civilised ($10,000SG for swearing in public! Littering is a huge no-no!) Most people are multi-lingual (Cantonese, Indian, English, & Malay) Awesome cultural mix... their airport and zoos epitomise how things should be! A little over-board on the rules.
HongKong - like Singapore, but becoming worse since the hand-over. A lot more mainlanders. More multi-cultural than China, but not as much as Singapore (but it's debateable). Again, quals and experience to work there, and the summer will suck. Very fiikken expensive!!! Has the most expensive real estate on the planet (I was told), around Stanley area.
Pollution, xenophobia, idiocy, untrustworthy healthcare, no real education, no legal recourse, dangerous roads, nothing nice+affordable, superficiality and elitism, noise, shoddy housing construction, rude people everywhere, overpriced or gutter oil food, nobody speaks English...
Probably the easiest country in the world to get a super pretty girl into your bed, just for being white.
What are your priorities? I wish I had come when I was younger and unmarried. If you're not, it just becomes a huge temptation.
