They are, for about 2 or 3 months before giving you a day notice, taking a long break and working somewhere else. I guess it’s still profitable for the laobans to have to train new people every month or else they would pay more.
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Only sell liquids.
So the alternatives are:
- Land a coveted job that pays well with a company that treats you like a human being -
unrealistic but someone is doing it, I mean, or else…
Any ideas how to catch this unicorn? Both OP and I are interested.
- Start your own business.
Hmmm…needs a lot of capital. And a realistic business plan with a defined exit strategy.
For example: Many foreigners -and locals, TBH-start a restaurant without realizing that it is slavery to the business. You will be hooked to the grill and floor 24/7. At least the first 5 years. They think getting their friends to fill it up on opening night is success. Locals especially devote more money and thought to decor than getting good or at least enough servers. And never treat them right. That is why they leave. Or they stay until their pensions might kick in…And get fired.
Import/export trade companies, software development, etc are fields where foreigners have found decent success. Any suggestions for anyone who follows this alternative?
Its 4 am and i am just sitting down to take a shit, eat "dinner/breakfast"and check the phone. If you want the reality of being a laoban, there it is. But when i say open a company i mean it as a thinker and a doer. So basically not talking about restaraunts. Thats a business yes. A romantic idea, yes. But more than most other industries doomed to failure. Sorry, but rather obvious to those who stick around. Pretty much the same for locals. Spend lots setting up. Ram head into brick wall. Sell off cheap, next guy takes over and repeat.
Get into inovation, manufacturing, hard work others dont want to (or cant) do or dont have the skill set AND dilliegence you do. Teachers tend to do restaraunt/market style industries after losing their mind in the human rights abuse industry. I owned buxiban before too, i get it. thats the general mentality. Its fun and good, but few make it long term. Just a fact manydont often like to talk about. Anyone with a million dollar idea is going to implement it themself, so its best not to count on someone giving you the golden egg. You need to spend thousands of hours bleeding, sweating and crying to make it usually. Success is often not romantic. But for those willing to fight through the bullshit, taiwan offers a life seldom seen in other countries. Thats why really long term people are either very successful or married and still teaching cram schools at 70.
Make no mistake, its not easy here. But i would day if you push through the first years and make your company international, you will likely do very well for yourself. And as souldraining, tiring and painful as it is, at least with your own company you get the confidence, and often success, of having a bright future unlike being a slave for a real dick your entire life…
I think people should stop imagining some fantasy story of success. Its tiring and failures happen. Everything here is not so clear and twisted. From insurance to banking to actual government law. Learn chinese and more importantly learn local customs. If one cant do that. Leaving or eternal bitterness is innevitable. If one can do that and is a smart cookie that can work long and hard, welcome to paradise.
Also expect cancer. FYI.
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From the environment, or from the stress of being an entrepreneur?
So much black and white in this statement I am transported back to the 50s😎
I’m not very successful, not married, not teaching cram schools and I’m the third longest termer here.
I’m an anemone!
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at least you’re not an onomatopoeia!
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I had one of them once. painful procedure to get it removed.
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You can’t be successful AND married? Jeez…
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Sounds like a US vs Taiwan health system comparison?
You highlighted one issue I have with the specialist system here, self selection. Referral to specialist doctors from first line care would improve things IMO.
Lots of ppl lining up to see haematologists that should be seeing hepatologists, for a made up example…
Or in my case people with stomach aches going straight to stomach specialists.
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The problem is the long wait to see a specialist and the the extra expense which turns people away. Long waits kill people.
GPs want to act as gatekeepers but they are also not very clear in many cases. Many do not have basic diagnostic equipment . Go to hospital, get your blood and scans done directly is also efficient.
I prefer order over chaos in terms of how medical services are provisioned 
The self selection might work if test results are transferrable between hospitals, and there aren’t too many hypochondriacs clogging up the system. Don’t think that is the case though…
All bran, shredded wheat, or weetabix?
Any system that gets you to a specialist - affordably - within 24 hours for that kind of problem is kicking bladder
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Either that or the specialists are seeing too many patients 
The radiologists see patient after patient quickly; they are very hardworking in Taiwan.
Compared to Canada where they see one or two patients then take a 30 minute break in between. You’ll be sitting there all day while they screw around.
I’ve also never waited more than 30 min for emerg in Taiwan. Go to emerg in Canada and prepare to be there for 8+ hours. Same situation, the doctor sees one patient then disappears for half an hour.
My only criticism for Taiwan’s health care is that some doctors are quick to just slap a label on something without further research
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If you’re like me and in corporate work, business field (Finance, Law, Accounting etc) : HK, SG, Shanghai are great for expats in Asia. Also some other emerging economies in SE Asia (Vietnam for example) are now becoming hubs for many enterprises.
As for complaining about not finding work outside of teaching, that probably is usually explained by language skills or a lack of transferable skills that are in-demand here for non-locals.
I have friends here who are in Engineering, Software development roles that have no issues finding work and changing jobs as they have admirable work experience back home and solid skillset, that’s obviously a lot different from someone the types that are complaining but never really went above anything than an entry-level gig back home.