Suggested topics for discussions at places like English corners: How is life in the US (in particular) different from the way it is portrayed in Hollywood films & TV shows? And in what ways is life in 'the West' not necessarily the same as 'life in the US', regardless of how it's portrayed? And how are western foreigners in Kunming atypical of the majority of people living in the countries from which they come? Many people seem misled about the first two of these issues thanks to the domination in the international media by (primarily US) entertainment, by the hype of the travel industry, and by the types of things that make the news - think of what foreigners wouldn't know about China if they only depended on Chinese media and entertainment. Concerning the last issue, I've often had people imply to me that 'foreigners' (read: 'westerners') all seem to be 'free' in their lifestyles, can go wherever they want, have money, have been to university, are more or less 'middle class' etc., not realizing that most 'foreigners' who come to live/stay in China exhibit characteristics somewhat different from those of the great majority who stay home, most of whom are not native English speakers and don't even speak English, and that many are not 'white', however defined.

Alien, have you ever been to the US? Is your knowledge of US life first hand?

This is other sensitive topics you are proposing. I am confident most expats understand any frank discussion of western (US) lifestyle would involve comparisons and judgments and ought to be avoided in public forums.

But then you have the right to input your 五毛.

As long as it doesn't involve direct, serious negative judgements of life in China, I don't think it ought to be, or needs to be, avoided.

Yet you invite direct, serious judgments of life the US knowing full well that this means a one sided conversation without comparisons. Your topics seek to promote criticism of Westerner, Americans in particular, and I wonder why.

What do you think of a discussion of the Hukuo System? Its history, origin and effectiveness. What role does it play in contemporary Chinese society? In light of China's drive to urbanization, does the Hukou System result in uneducated, low cost workers and save social costs as claimed by some in the Chinese medial?

But it is your 五毛.

Didn't think of a discussion of the hukou system - you're not suggesting one, are you? What's your point?

I'd gladly participate in an English corner that would give Chinese participants a chance to discuss following: 1. not all white foreigners come from USA, 2. there are many nations in Europe and they all have their own culture, customs, languages, 3. only a small number of "Westerners" is English native speakers.
And no comparisons with China are needed.
That could be a good start to a more interesting discussion, even about hukou system (because why not?).
Where exactly in Cuihu park does the English corner take place? When? I'd like to give it a shot.

The Cuihu English corner is opposite the Cuihu hotel, on Thursday nights from about 7pm.

Yes, I have had conversation, in a EC setting, asking Chinese to explain the Hukou System. The implications for Chinese society and China's economy are great. I find if it is a topic Chinese are familiar with then the effort is on expressing their knowledge in English.

Also have discussed China's labor law, pollution and food safety. I find that propaganda agendas produce strange discussions roughly divided into two groups: parrots and those that scoff.

BTW, I never pontificate but elicit letting Chinese speak and use English. Any information I use is sourced from China's media and is in English. I never inject Western news into these discussions.

A number of the topics suggested above are one sided. The locals could do little more than listen, as most of this is outside of their experience. I am sure some would find this free culture class interesting, but I would have to ask myself, 'What is in it for me?' This might sound selfish, but as explained before, this is my free time.

4. Not only Whites are native English speakers.

@tigertiger, the satisfaction of knowing that you have shared your rich knowledge of the outside world with those who have a distorted view of it.