It wasn’t exactly unexpected, but I didn’t expect it, if that makes sense. I was working at the call center of an insurance company on election night in 2016, and my team was half people from Connecticut in office and half remote people from non-Chicagoland Illinois, politically divided exactly as you’d expect. My shift went 13-23:30 EST, and the team chat was trying to be somewhat non political, but it was tough.

When I went into work, it seemed like Hillary would win, but throughout our shift, my coworkers and I kept getting chirps about new states being counted while the office slowly emptied (most people in office were on core hours, so by 19, we were the only ones left, including cleaning crews). When the first firm-ish numbers came in, one of our remote team members just spammed the chat with a bunch of terrible r/thedonald memes and there was an audible groan from the group.

I didn’t like Clinton, but I was certain she’d win, because I was pretty sheltered in a New England state. Hearing that trump won felt like finding out your foundation is full of mold. I don’t know how else to describe it, except that I was certain we’d choose the “chicken that’ll do” (I know that was a spoof from the democratic debate, but it feels on brand for her whole deal).

Oof

This is the problem.

When the author of the most widely read children’s books is media illiterate, how are we surprised that critical thinking skills are down?

That’s accurate!

The best unexpected“perk” of a job I’ve ever had was at a restaurant where we served a beet salad. Twice a week, the kitchen would cook and mandoline the beets, then let them dry off a little on baking sheets. The chef was incredibly annoyed that I would regularly steal something that literally left me red-handed, but they were too good to resist.

Casino Royale is my favorite movie, and I’m not a bond fan otherwise, so I definitely agree that it stands alone

You actually just need a LOT of stimulation, same as women. It’s not a fun or recommended way to start lactating, but it’ll do the trick

The days go slowly and the years go quickly

To be fair, that would be a good source of riboflavin.

I know a different version from the other two:

There once was a man from Nantucket

Who put all his shit in a bucket

And one day he tripped

And the bucket, it flipped

And he said “ah well fuck it”

The heat fills my brain and I can’t think about anything else

What is this flag, other than a striated version of the modern German flag?

Technically slowing down is also a form of acceleration, because it’s a change in speed/direction. Technically the US is developing, just downwards.

A DP with a two stroke? Damn

Talking to them doesn’t help. I’m a German teacher for new immigrants and I explained how poorly people adjust to a new country when all they wanted was something different, and they condescended to me about not letting my personal experience (with scores of students) color my opinion 🤦

I just hope anyone who’s interested based on what they’re saying adequately prepares themselves. I’m personally a proponent of freer global migration and language teaching, but it’s laughable to think that it’s general advice for people who don’t like their current situation.

This is a perfect shower thought, thank you

lol

Teaching abroad without proper preparation and understanding of what you’re signing up for is a recipe for culture shock and depression.

Just like going swimming without proper preparation ( swimming lessons and adequate aerobic fitness) is a recipe for drowning.

Lots of people have the patience for kindergartners, but that’s only because there are eight billion people. Telling everyone who’s depressed to go to a new place where they know no one and have to deal with kindergartners and employers who may or may not fulfill the accommodation or pay promises they made while not having a good working knowledge of the local culture or language is irresponsible.

And money corrupts

Several of those programs are scammy. I know people who’ve been screwed by their company in South Korea, Ethiopia, and the Philippines. I’m glad it worked for you, and it’s a worthwhile thing to try if it calls to you, but it’s a recipe for culture shock and depression if someone doesn’t fully understand and want that experience.

I’m an American living in Germany, and I teach German classes to new immigrants, so I see a lot of people who wanted something different, but didn’t specifically want Germany. It’s much more difficult for them to adjust to a new place than for people who specifically seek Germany out.

I also personally think teaching children is too important to leave to people who are untrained, even if they’re subject matter experts, but I may be biased as it’s my career. I definitely wouldn’t teach kindergarten, because I (like most people) don’t have the patience.