I could be a token!
By laglen
@laglen (19759)
United States
June 30, 2010 9:09am CST
China is hiring token foreigners. You could make $50 to $300. Just for being a pretty face. They supply your name and story, you get paid, dinner and accommodations. Not a bad gig.
It is very prestigious for companies to have a few foreigners hanging around. The requirements, be white, dont speak Chinese, and pretend you just got off a plane.
http://www.cnn.com/2010/BUSINESS/06/29/china.rent.white.people/index.html?hpt=Mid
so is this something you would do? does this offend you?
2 people like this
6 responses
@Maggiepie (7816)
• United States
30 Jun 10
It ain't PC, that's for sure! 
I wouldn't do it, because it would support Communism, but then, I don't qualify in one respect: I got hit with the ugly/fat stick in my 50s, so, naw, they wouldn't wanna look at ME! 
Maggiepie
"Turn off your TVs. Don't watch your MSNBC, your Fox, your ABC." ~ B. Obama
"Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain!" ~ The Wizard of Oz
I wouldn't do it, because it would support Communism, but then, I don't qualify in one respect: I got hit with the ugly/fat stick in my 50s, so, naw, they wouldn't wanna look at ME!
Maggiepie
"Turn off your TVs. Don't watch your MSNBC, your Fox, your ABC." ~ B. Obama
"Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain!" ~ The Wizard of Oz3 people like this
@Maggiepie (7816)
• United States
1 Jul 10
Having taught ESL classes to a number of students from Beijing, I think I'm probably a lot more aware of it than most people. One family came here with their little girl so they could have a 2nd child, among other freedoms. They were also Christians.
Yes, I realize Beijing is very modern, but I'm also aware of the poverty when you step away from the glitzy cities....
Maggiepie
"You gotta serve somebody." ~ Bob Dylan
1 person likes this
@ValBusan1 (55)
• South Korea
1 Jul 10
I was in Beijing recently and it is quite hard to believe that communism is the way of their world. I felt much, much, much more aware of it in Vietnam.
I am not saying that the underlying aspects of state control are not powerful, rather that it is not easily spotted. The extravagance and opulence is overwhelming. Of course a few steps away from the brand name shopping you can find poverty and a very basic way of life. (But that is the same here in Korea.)
2 people like this
@skysuccess (8858)
• Singapore
1 Jul 10
laglen,
First of all, I believe that the news is a little derogatory, lacks in depth research and half truth.
Just for the record, foreigners entering any country with a tourist visit pass or visa aren't allowed to work and receive income period. One could be arrested for it and especially so in as per mentioned - China.
Unbeknown to you, these so called "foreigners" or "whites" are actually teachers teaching English language in their respective states and cities. If not, how do you think some of these as related in the article had been in China for well over 3 months to half a year? FYI, an American gets to visit China visa free for a maximum stay of 1 month, anything beyond that will require documentation.
In fact, when they appear on the stage or in front of the public - the majority would already know who they actually are and retrospectively the invitee actually knows what's expected of him and the occasion.
Frankly, I am certain that one would want to know what deal or occasion before committing into it, especially if it is legal. I am sure you would not want to be involved in some shoddy deal or scam for some measly $50-$300.
Or, would you?
2 people like this
@laglen (19759)
• United States
1 Jul 10
sky, here is a paragraph from the link I provided
Last year, Jonathan Zatkin, an American actor who lives in Beijing, posed as the vice president of an Italian jewelry company that had, allegedly, been in a partnership with a Chinese jewelry chain for a decade.
@Maggiepie (7816)
• United States
1 Jul 10
Hmmm...interesting. I had students who begged me to come to China with them & stay, & teach people there how to pronounce English, since apparently they teach reading it, & grammar & spelling, but not pronunciation! They were from Beijing, & they told me China has a shortage of teachers who do what I do, & that I could make a very good living there doing it!
I turned them down because at the time (10 years or so ago) I had strong ties here in Texas. So now you tell me I couldn't have come & worked? 
Maggiepie
"You gotta serve somebody." ~ Bob Dylan
Maggiepie
"You gotta serve somebody." ~ Bob Dylan1 person likes this
@ValBusan1 (55)
• South Korea
1 Jul 10
I think Skysuccess is referring to the need for an official work visa.
I was impressed by the spoken English on my recent trip. Sure a lot of people (say those selling) have limited vocabulary but overall I think they did really well.
Oh and there is likely no major barrier to you working there now - providing you meet the legal requirements.
I have been teaching in Asia for 10 years, Japan and Korea. Come on over :)
1 person likes this
@coffeegurl (1467)
• United States
1 Jul 10
Very strange story. I don't think $44 to go to an oil convention is enough money. I make $15/hr. I'll bet I would make more money trying for a tampon commercial in america, or trying out for work as an "extra" in a movie here.
@coffeegurl (1467)
• United States
1 Jul 10
I didn't see anywhere in the article mentioning paying for a round trip ticket to mainland China. It just said they put u up in a hotel and feed you. Are we talking a $2000 flight out there too?
1 person likes this
@christiana81 (717)
• Romania
1 Jul 10
Fisr, it is discriminated for the chinese but if they pay the travel ticket, which is very expensive i coul be a token in my holliday!
1 person likes this
@ValBusan1 (55)
• South Korea
30 Jun 10
It makes me laugh, and I reckon if you have the chance then go for it.
There are foreign folks in Japan masiking a fortune as 'priests' at non legal wedding ceremonies. (The type that are for show after the legal stuff is done). There is also a market there for hiring foreigners for your party.
I have been in Asia for a long time and sometimes the 'friendships' you make are not so different from this. May as well get paid is my attitude.
I am sure it could be argued that such practices reinforce the (common) belief that foreigners are not really human. The thing that I really object to is the persistent belief that the only 'real' foreigners are white.
2 people like this
@ValBusan1 (55)
• South Korea
30 Jun 10
Cheers. Yes, it sticks in my craw that only white people can 'really' be western. People here of Asian descent (but born and raised abroad and totally westernized) can have a hard time finding a teaching job. Grrrrrrrrrr.
I challenge it whenever I can, but can be like beating your heas against a brick wall. I am always quick to point out that there is only one 'race' - the human race.
I come from a background of teaching social studies and it drives me craaaaazy.
2 people like this
