[kdavid]

I believe that the Chinese get very hung-up on appearances and the way the in which things are presented. They also aren't very trusting of each other. I've heard many parents comment that ABC (American[western] Born Chinese) couldn't possibly be western because they didn't have white skin.

Along the same line of discrimination, I've also heard parents say that teachers with black skin "must be" from Africa, and therefore not have a standard accent.

These types of comments just help display the utter ignorance and inability of some Chinese to open their minds and see past their own nose.

Hang in there. It may take some time, but once you establish a reputation of being a good teacher many people will look past the color of your skin and shape of your eyes and see that you can do the job just as well as anyone else, if not better!