You slag off ex factory workers, ex-forklift truck drivers, ex-dole claimers, ex- shelf stackers, ex-minicab drivers, ex-argos staff, and the like.

You claim that it was impossible for Bangkok Phil to be teaching in Thailand whilst living a "wide-boy" lifestyle, as he could never have delivered a decent lesson after preparing the class at his one room apartment along Petchaburi Road the night after having a few beers in the Londoner.

You claim that many teachers in Thailand are running from their own countires, and that they would have pretty much zero career choice in their own countries, you slag off non-degree holders, and you are adamant that anyone who dares to take the TEFL course up at Text and Talk must be a loser in some way.

And what if someone has a degree that is completely irrellevant to teaching? That is the case in many instances.

You take great joy in ridiculing the degree-less amongst us. I have no degree at all, I didn't feel like wasting the time doing one. John Major's government in the early 1990s were literally throwing student loans at people so they could get degrees, even my dad took one as a mature student.

Sadly many of the people I know that took and got degrees in this era are working in fields with no relation to the four years they took out of their lives during that period. Is that maybe a reflection of the company I keep maybe?

So the question is, who would you applaud as a real, genuine TEFL-er?

The ex-hippy who has just spent 3 years stoned in Goa?

The husband and wife team who used to teach at a private school in Dorset?

The female Khao San Road-er with no qualifications other than white skin, blonde hair and an english accent?

The 24 year old male teacher that used to teach at your local primary school?

Just what criteria would anyone need to be accepted in your limited outlook of TEFL-ing? Because apparently everyone is at fault in some way, or on the run.

I'd like to hear your opinions on the subject please. Name names if you have to.