Needy people.
Well I'm now in Russia and feel much happier than the last three month stint because I have three new teachers, two of which are young guys who are great fun.I love to laugh and have a great sense of humour so these guys, excellent teachers by the way, have me in stitches. The problem is that all three teachers on my team are quite needy and a little inflexible in many ways.
The accommodation we are provided with is clean, comfortable with internet access and satellite tv, but they complain that it's oppressive having a cleaner come in every weekday morning.....what's that all about? Her name is Galina, she is wonderful and waits until we have gone to work before coming in, unless of course the classes are in the afternoon then she will knock and come in to do her job. Why can't they see that a little kindness to her can reap so many benefits? Last year when I was here I bought beetroot and was going to try to make borscht, Galina who doesn't speak any English, tried to explain how it was made and that I would need to grate the beetroot. When I returned from work there was a grater in my tiny kitchen. This is just one of many little things she has done for me. I wouldn't dream of leaving dirty dishes in the sink or my bed unmade, perhaps she appreciates that, yet they leave their rooms in the same state my son used to when he was in his early teens. The male teachers are in their early thirties and the female is sixty four so it's not an age related discourtesy.
We also have a flat in Moscow provided by the company because we teach there a couple of days a week, it's a good flat but they complain that the beds are not comfortable enough, that they have to travel to work on the metro for half an hour....in a city the size of Moscow I don't think half an hour is unreasonable.
The complaints go on and I'm getting weary and trying not to lose my patience.
Perhaps it will all settle down after a couple more weeks when everybody is comfortable in this country and with their work.
I ask myself though, why do people like this choose to work abroad?
Comments (1)
If they want to complain, let them. You can enjoy the benefits and mentally send the others forgiveness for not being aware enough to see beyonf their imagined negatives. No doubt they are doing the best they can for where they are in their lives. Try not to hitch a ride on their coattails, have fun yourself and maybe they will notice and hitch a ride on yours.