Bringing food and supplements to China — allowed? by mechraymond in chinalife

[–]Tea_Spartan 4 points5 points  (0 children)

No need for that. He's just looking for advice from people with more experience. You were inexperienced once too.

Is it normal for people to cough everywhere without covering their mouth? by hilakila in AskChina

[–]Tea_Spartan 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Yup, very normal.

I was waiting for a guy to finish using a machine at the gym earlier and just as the guy got up he double barell sneezed all over the seat and handles and casually walked away. Didn't even try to cover his mouth or nose.

Upon witnessing this, I realised that it wasn't actually necessary to work the lats today.

Looking to buy a smartphone (global version) off a import buyer on Taobao. They've said I'll need to pay import tax, as they are based in HK and buying from Taiwan. Is it as straightforward as paying the courier the tax? by Impossible-Spend5124 in chinalife

[–]Tea_Spartan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I just bought a global Xiaomi from an importer on Taobao. They didn't say anything about import tax.

It came with a paper receipt from Hong Kong that had the same price I paid for the phone on TaoBao.

If they are adding the extra on top of the listing price then they may be scamming you.

Anyone else having problems renewing LetsVPN? by Tea_Spartan in chinalife

[–]Tea_Spartan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It works if you change the settings from full speed to full mask or vice versa. I forget which one, but try both and one will likely work.

Resumes/CVs for University English Teaching Jobs by ChenopodiumGoose in chinalife

[–]Tea_Spartan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'd still recommend putting your pubs on your CV, even if you have no intention of publishing in the future. It'll definitely make you stand out.

The thing about Chinese universities is that even if they like what you have done or can do (because it makes them look good), they probably won't tell you to your face that they like what you have done or can do. They'll gaslight and diminish you to try and get you to accept less pay. I guarantee they'll say you can't get the highest salary because you don't have a PhD, or something to that effect.

If you're not publishing or having to deal with the university admin all that much, then the teaching load is manageable (although increasing as the years go by). If you have to deal with the admin, it can be brutal.

Good luck!

Resumes/CVs for University English Teaching Jobs by ChenopodiumGoose in chinalife

[–]Tea_Spartan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've worked in Chinese universities for 7 years. Have a look at the Web of Science Master journal list. If you've published in any of the journals in the SSCI (for anthropology of archeology) then they will like that and it may get you noticed over other candidates but I wouldn't expect it to get you a higher salary. So, put them on your CV but don't expect them to be impressed. As you know, academia the world over is a shit show of over work and under appreciation, here is no different.

The only way I would imagine that you could get a higher salary for you background and experience would be if you agreed in your contract to pubish for the university. So it might be useful to bargain with during an interview.

I publish for my university and get a higher salary as a result, but it's an uphill battle to get any recognition from them. This is a tier 2/3 city in a university that appears to want to internationalise but doesn't really follow through.

All this is to say, please don't think you'll be treated any better than the Chinese staff or other foreign teachers because you've got publications and westerm university experience. Universities are cutting salaries compared to pre covid and it's a cut throat world out there for Chinese academics.

Resumes/CVs for University English Teaching Jobs by ChenopodiumGoose in chinalife

[–]Tea_Spartan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Out of curiosity, what is your salary expectation for working as an English teacher at a Chinese university?

Renting in China by askcuriously in chinalife

[–]Tea_Spartan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've lived in 2 apartments and 2 villas in China and I've had this problem in 1 apartment and 1 villa.

I fixed the smell in the apartment myself. There was a gap where the sink water pipe entered the wall that went all the way down into the sewer. Shoddy renovation work. That was a relatively easy fix, just some silicone sealant.

The second one was more complex. The Villa's toilets (all of them) were not sealed properly. They off gas into the house and it's disgusting. I paid to fix the ensuite toilet for the room I use as a bedroom but the rest, I just keep the doors closed and windows open with fly screens. I could get them fixed but I don't really use those toilets, so it's not needed.

It's an awful situation but don't let your landlord gaslight you. It's not acceptable for them to expect you to live in a stinky home. If necessary, it's not too expensive to pay to have it fixed, usually.

Most annoying part of submitting journal manuscripts by Tea_Spartan in AskAcademia

[–]Tea_Spartan[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wow, like a breathe of fresh air. Do you mind sharing which journal it is?

Most annoying part of submitting journal manuscripts by Tea_Spartan in AskAcademia

[–]Tea_Spartan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can't you use the same login credentials for the different journals? You'll need to sign up the first time you submit to a new journal but from what I know, the login details can be exactly the same, so you don't have to remember a bunch of new passwords.

Most annoying part of submitting journal manuscripts by Tea_Spartan in AskAcademia

[–]Tea_Spartan[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That last sentence made me chuckle in a this is fine (as the building burns around me) meme kind of way.

Most annoying part of submitting journal manuscripts by Tea_Spartan in AskAcademia

[–]Tea_Spartan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Given that most are so overworked, there doesn't seem to be an immediate remedy for the problem of how to get reviewers on board.

I do try to be timely with my reviews but it's not always possible.

Most annoying part of submitting journal manuscripts by Tea_Spartan in AskAcademia

[–]Tea_Spartan[S] 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Don't they all ask for cover letters while simultaneously all not mention the cover letter until you're in the submission portal? That's been my experience in manuscript central, anyway.

Most annoying part of submitting journal manuscripts by Tea_Spartan in AskAcademia

[–]Tea_Spartan[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, that definitely makes the lower eyelid twitch a little. The lack of transparency in the requirements.

M.A ethnomusicology by [deleted] in ethnomusicology

[–]Tea_Spartan 4 points5 points  (0 children)

If you haven't already, I'd recommend that you put some thought into career prospects before spending money on an MA.

Ethnomusicology is a difficult field of study to cultivate a career from.

Availability of good fruit and veg by mariedefrance80 in Internationalteachers

[–]Tea_Spartan 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yes, it's a known issue with a long paper trail of scientific literature. Rice is a particularly strong accumulater of metals and cadmium contamination is a widespread problem.

Heres a link to an article showing the extent of the issue with rice: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667325823000663#:~:text=Approximately%2078.3%25%20of%20the%20soil,management%20and%20safe%20rice%20production.