As discussed in another thread, I think there have been some really good threads in the past.
My idea is that we should post some links to them and see if anybody new wants to contribute, and / or post replies to them.
It might not work, because I'm not sure many people search through old threads, but there are some really good ones.
However, for my first suggestion, I'd like to quote a really obscure thread because it influenced me more than any other.
Ostensibly it was about Eden English, but it was more about the nature of teaching in China.Eden
English I haaaaaate you! (Read 1514 times)
http://raoulschinasaloon.com/index.php?topic=6851.msg128295#msg128295Anyway it's something Raoul said;
It's often those who care the most about teaching and their students, who get the worst psychological mind-job working in China. I had to go through this myself as well, as have many others of us here on The Saloon. The sad fact is that educational diligence not only doesn't generate any loyalty, but it's often like Teaching A Pig To Sing: It wastes your time, and annoys the pig. 
The message I'd want to come from this is: Come to China to experience China, not to teach. Teaching is just a way to support yourself while you're experiencing China. Of course you should still do your best for your students' sake, but all you can do is the best you can do. You can't expect to influence the corrupt, incompetent, baijiu-swilling buttheads who own or manage most Chinese schools.
I don't disagree with anything Raoul said there by the way, but I was working at the time in an environment that was quite unprofessional (and oh boy, did it go even more downhill from there). As discussed in another thread, I started to see all Chinese employers, and perhaps China itself, as a non-dancing friendly pig.
Anyway, I'm now in a very good situation, with a new Uni.
I'm not saying it's perfect, but the administrative and management staff are as competent as one could wish. To a great extent I am still doing the job for myself and the students. I'm not sure the management at my new Uni appreciate the effort I put in, but it doesn't matter. I find that I don't need to be patted on the back. I just need to work in a professional environment, where the teachers and students I see everyday are motivated and happy, and not stuck in the kind of pointless hellhole I used to work in.
I will post more of my favourite threads from the past when I have time; sort of like a radio show playing the top 20 from a long ago year.
It would be really great though if referencing this thread buggered up Eden English's search results, whoever they are.
The all time classic thread like this though is the next one.