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Q: How would you handle this...if it were you?
I have a colleague who is from my home country. The problem is he is always creating trouble. All other teachers avoid him but he couldn't care less. I've spoken to him at great length about how he carries himself as a foreigner and how he behaves himself. After each talk, things quiet down for a few days but will flare up again. If it's not with the finance people, it with administration. Even students signed a petition to ask the administration to change teachers because he also creates lots of unhappiness in the classes. The uni threatened to fire him a few times but each time he backs down and was given chances to improve himself. Today, it happened again and it looks as if he's let off the hook again. Being from the same country, I feel let down by his behavior. It makes locals think that all of us are like that. I've advised the administration to let him go twice but he's still around. At the moment, he's left with just three classes but paid the same amount as the other teachers. I feel like giving him a good beating each time things happen.
12 years 19 weeks ago in Teaching & Learning - China
Wash your hands of him.
You have done all you can and he is an adult.
his behaviour is his problem, not yours.
it is true that we are all tainted by the association of colleagues behaving badly, but if you clearly disassociate yourself from him, people will hopefully see it is an individual not a group that is the problem.
i am in a similar situation, after warning a foreign colleague his behaviour is reflecting badly on all of us. His behaviour was potentially inviting serious problems to a group of foreign female teachers here, so i have publicly cut contact.
it might sound harsh, but when a guy invites trouble, you don't want to be caught in the train-wreck.
louischuahm:
Thanks, that was what I considered doing. As a fellow countryman, I felt I have given my all to help him but as they say, if the horse doesn't want to drink, what else can one do?
sorrel:
normally i wouldn't advocate something so extreme, but my colleague here is getting involved in potentially borderline criminal activity. As he is housed in the same block with all the foreign teachers, he could attract unsavoury locals, so we are worried.
it seems someone didn't like my advice 
Wash your hands of him.
You have done all you can and he is an adult.
his behaviour is his problem, not yours.
it is true that we are all tainted by the association of colleagues behaving badly, but if you clearly disassociate yourself from him, people will hopefully see it is an individual not a group that is the problem.
i am in a similar situation, after warning a foreign colleague his behaviour is reflecting badly on all of us. His behaviour was potentially inviting serious problems to a group of foreign female teachers here, so i have publicly cut contact.
it might sound harsh, but when a guy invites trouble, you don't want to be caught in the train-wreck.
louischuahm:
Thanks, that was what I considered doing. As a fellow countryman, I felt I have given my all to help him but as they say, if the horse doesn't want to drink, what else can one do?
sorrel:
normally i wouldn't advocate something so extreme, but my colleague here is getting involved in potentially borderline criminal activity. As he is housed in the same block with all the foreign teachers, he could attract unsavoury locals, so we are worried.
it seems someone didn't like my advice
I agree. Your case sounds quite serious. Hope nothing untoward will happen.
You got a thumbs down for advice...I got 8 for congratulating a couple planning their marriage! Don't know who'd do that but guess it takes all kinds.
Well, thanks again.
I wouldnt do anything. How long have you been there? A few weeks? If its effecting you personally then act but i wouldnt be going to admin after just arriving. At least make sure you fully understand your standing there before taking a stand haha.
Bask in the glow. There are few easier ways to look great than to stand next to a shithead.
louischuahm:
Thanks Mike. I've been here a month. I've actually been distancing myself and refuse to lunch with him anymore lest I become guilty by association. Still everyone's watching how I will handle this. I've given my take of the situation to the uni admin so it's up to them now.
I'd ignore him completely and refuse to have anything to do with him.
louischuahm:
Thanks Hulk, that's what I'm doing now. Really comes down to that.
Hulk:
Although I may come across as having done the opposite, I rarely caused trouble in China. Most people were just looking for trouble with me as their target, and they were shocked when I responded in kind. I really dislike people who cause trouble.
The guy sounds really annoying. Not only is he putting you in a hard spot and giving your countrymen a bad name, but he is getting away with it with what sounds like... less classes but the same pay.
Like these guys say, cut away from him and just shine as a good example. Let the Chinese administration know that NO foreigners are on his side so if they fire him... you guys will actually APPLAUD the act (they may be scared you will all leave after canning him).
If it were me... next time he jumps in the deep end and starts drowning again... I wouldn't hesitate to step on his head. It's not fair you guys do more work but get paid the same... and he KNOWS it.
louischuahm:
Yes Rob, there are times I wish I had a baseball bat. If he screws up himself without affecting others who the hell cares, but his behavior is affecting everyone. When he is let off, he comes back to the office with this stupid smirk on his face as if to say that he is untouchable. I'm just going to let him dig his own grave because one day, one fine day he's going to cross the line. We'll all be waiting.
Obviously the individual has issues. We are responsible for our own behavior. We can try and influence others behavior, but in the end they own it. I often feel pity on those with DPD (defective personality disorder) it sounds like you have tried to help him, thrown him a rope, but remember a drowning man will drown you too if you let him grab ahold of you. My advice would be to distance yourself.
Yeah, distance yourself..he will get fired soon enough, just have patience and continue being the great person/teacher you are. Everyone knows that there are bad people and good people from every country. I am thankful that I am the only teacher at my school and do not have this problem, but since most people here think I am African, I am constantly making sure I set myself a part and behave better, and always being friendly to everyone, so they know that I am not African. It's exhausting lol
I'm pretty sure all of us have run into the "...he;s nice because the people from...are friendly and..." syndrome. I have run into a few Canadians who make it look like Canadians are drunks and arrogant. There are many western guys that make us all look like skirt chasers. I have run into some really bad scam artists in China right after being told Chines people are friendly and honest. Point is we can't use blanket statements to describe what a nationality or race of people is like. The world is to inter-related now.
I would take the advice of the posters here. You have tried. Ignore him. Do not worry about what your Chinese students and colleagues think. They know you are the good guy and he is the bad guy.
Paper trail. Collect as much information about indiscretions, misbehavior, unprofessional behavior, or any other conduct that is contrary to the behavior outlined in his contract. Document EVERYTHING.
Next, brief your managers as to the situation and what terms and conditions you intend to put on him, in writing. Make certain that everything is covered.
Create a document that indicates each infraction and detail: the remedy to the infraction; the expected timeframe for the problem to be corrected; and, the penalty for not correcting the problem.
Meet with the guy along with one other member of management. Discuss each point and allow him the opportunity to explain. Get him to sign each point after it has been discussed - make sure that you explain that by signing, he is not admitting guilt, only that he has been counseled on the points and understands them.
I've been through the same situation many times. Management's opinion is always that "One in the hand..." and "But we spent so much money on the person already."
As others have said, there's not much more you can do than remain professional at all times and in all dealings with the rogue.
Meh... admin keep him on cos they feel they don't have an alternative.
Find them one!
Either, sort out amongst you remaining FTs how to take his classes, or find a replacement. Then go to admin, and point out they'll lose more money if he stays.
Being tarred with the same brush in not a kind reflection upon yourself .Given that you have highlighted your concerns and observation it's seem that this is the best you can do. Although this person may be from the same country, it do not mean that you are responsible for his wild wayward actions. Maybe best to keep your distance with no lifelines on hand, disassociate yourself from him and make this known. It is most unfortunate that this kind of loudmouth tare away behavior reflects upon the rest of us. We or most of us end up being tarred with the same brush. Throw no life line when it is is needed, sooner of later maybe, just maybe he will start to sink. Good Luck to you.
Thanks guys for all your answers and advice. I've already been avoiding him and he seems to know that, which is good. Anyway, I am sure one of these days he will bury himself in that hole he is digging. We shall see.
thefidu881:
Sorry dude! Unintentionally the dislike button get pressed. I hope you won't misunderstand regarding your comment.
Wash your hands of him. He is an adult, he is responsible for his actions.
Do yourself a favor ask the school to get rid of him, and have the other teachers back you up.
Education should be fun with the students not fear or hating going to class.
just my thoughts.
