As a non-Western expat in China, I've noticed an amusing phenomenon: the bubble many Western expats, especially ESL teachers, create around them.

The way some act online - Reddit's a prime example - and in real life can be fascinating. Despite barely scratching the surface, they'll confidently weigh in on any China-related topic.

Last week, someone in a forum asked about China's tech scene from a software engineer's perspective. Predictably, an ESL teacher chimed in with misguided insights, revealing their limited viewpoint. The contrast was clear when a foreign software engineer stepped in with accurate information, noting how some ESL teachers "speak on everything while knowing little."

These folks spend a year or two here and suddenly become self-proclaimed China experts. They'll give strong opinions about everything Chinese while rarely stepping outside their teaching bubble. And somehow, there's often this underlying tone that they're doing China a favor just by being here.

Don't get me wrong – this isn't about bashing Western expatriates. Many are fantastic professionals. It's about a certain type who mistakes their narrow view from the English teaching bubble for a full picture. They're seeing China through a keyhole but talking like they've got a panoramic view.