Cold War

There are so many things that I could go on a rant about here. I usually don't, but you'll know what I'm thinking when I mutter "ugh, China!" with frustration. There's one thing that I should mention, because it's so ridiculous, it's funny.

When we first arrived at the school, the weather was warm and nice. All the windows remained open, none having screens (because that's super safe for young children). The breeze was really pleasant.

I share an office with Allison, another foreigner and 6 female Chinese teachers. My relationship with the Chinese teachers is much different than my relationship with former Korean coworkers. In Korea, I shared all my classes with a Korean teacher. We discussed students, discipline, and the English language. We were a team working towards the same goal- to teach the kids English. And, my Korean coworker, Annie and I became great friends! It's very different here. Of course, I'm not working at an after school English academy anymore, keep that in mind. These students have a variety of subjects in a day, I'm one of many teachers they see. Only a few of the Chinese teachers speak English.

Something else that I should mention, is that the local teachers don't seem to place an importance on our (the foreigners') classes. Several times, they have taken students out of our classes to do Chinese homework, and some have even told the students straight out that their English classes weren't as important as the other classes. We've discussed this with the administration, and so far it's just been an unspoken battle between the Chinese and foreign teachers. Sets a nice mood for the office, doesn't it?

Allison told me right away to bring headphones, because it can get very loud in our office. That's an understatement. If it's not loud bantering or group singing, its an iPhone going off at top volume playing a Chinese pop song - 10 times in a row. She's not answering! Stop calling, idiot! It never stops. I find myself cranking my headphones on full blast just to tune them out.

Lucky me, my desk also sits right under the daily schedule posted on the wall, near the door. At least once a day, a Chinese teacher's torso is leaning on my head as I'm ducking while trying to type up my lesson plans. Occasionally I get a "sorry" but it's not like they stop after apologizing. Whatever, that's not the worst thing.

To be honest with you, none of this stuff really bothers me as much as the door. Because I sit right next to the door (my back is to it) It has become my unofficial job to close the door that everyone leaves wide open. Everyone seems to ignore the sign that says, "Close the door." You may be thinking, what's the big deal about leaving the door open? It's a very big deal, because not only do they leave the office door wide open- every window, right outside the door in the hallway, is open. It's winter. It's freezing. WHY?! WHY?! WHY?! As soon as the door is opened, it sucks in the cold air. I'm the first target.

Apparently, the Chinese teachers value fresh air more than warmth. They've each got a little humidifier on their desks to battle the dry air. There is a nice big heater in the center of the ceiling, that's running on high. But then, all the dang windows are open. Right, makes perfect sense.

I've taken it upon myself to fight back, passive-aggressively of course. It started with loud, unsatisfied sighs. Then Allison joined in with me at yelling "Close the door!" to any student who enters. And now, I just slam the door closed when people leave it open. I don't know why I bother changing  my outfits everyday, because I wear my coat and gloves all day.

I don't think I'll win this war until spring. At that point, I surrender.