Where are you guys going and what kind of fnb and atmosphere is it? Doesn't have to be only Western either. Let me know your input!

@filipd

I understand your reasons for creating a white/blacklist since you are running a teacher training company. This would create leverage for you and your customers (teachers you train) in the job market, which would in turn help your own business development.

However, I would be wary of jumping to conclusions because they may tarnish your reputation in the future. I am not sure whether abcdragons is legitimate or not, but putting them on a "blacklist" for fraud based on your initial impression and publicizing it could be defamation.

Cheers.

I can't really make a substantial opinion here, but I feel that Facebook normally is intended for private use by the user. Linkedin and Facebook profiles often differ greatly, especially so if the person draws a clear line between his personal and professional life.

At the same time, although the website is nothing cutting edge we have to note that Kunming is still in it's early stages of development. Looking at the bars in the French Concession in Shanghai its easy to see the difference than those on Wenlinjie and that doesn't really say much about if the owner is passionate or not.

The disclaimer on the front page, if honest, seems to also convey that they are a legitimate business — a big up in China. Ofcourse more due diligence is needed.

Anyways, all I'm saying is that to me the Facebook thing can be taken with a grain of salt and the quoted reply is something I see many hiring people talk about. Once you get into hiring people, I admit it does get irritating to hear compensation mentioned in the early stages even if you offer excellent packages.

A law firm in New York, Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, offers highly lucrative packages but makes it publicly known they look down on compensation seekers — no one asks about bonuses in the first round interview ha ha.

Not sure I understand quite clearly. The first point OP raised is Old Town being packed with people, but I'm not sure how one can complain about something that one directly contributes to. OP is one of those that created that heavy crowd, crowds are created by individual interests.

For MCD, it is unethical to charge more in this circumstance unless logistics fees were a lot more. I'm not sure why the heavy increase, or if it is verified.

Tax for outsides is common not only in Yunnan but many ethnic areas with tourist encroachment. If you were opening your house or village to massive amounts of tourists, naturally your sacrifice would need some sort of compensation. And trust me, there is sacrifice.

And yes, things have changed in Lijiang. Not because of the locals, but in fact because the "crowd", people like yourself and I. It is impossible for things to be the same in Old Town when there are so many external pressures.

Furthermore, "maintenance tax" must refer to the the negative impact when throngs of people visit an area; inevitably the area needs maintenance ie. trash pickup, infrastructure refurbishing etc. Why would the local villagers cover it when it is the direct consequence of visitors?

Now, I'm not saying everything is fair and right — just that I have also listened to the other side of the story and would like to share it. Food for thought.

@natsymir
What an entertaining blog. Talented writers and cheeky adventures. Keep up the good work!