Kyle Berg

This is weird. The person who offered me an interview for teaching English just responded again. She’s asking me to take the train to Haedo, a good hour away, because that’s where she lives. However, all the teaching would be conducted in the city, within reach of the subway lines. What?? I don’t care whether we would interview in her house or the town cafe. To ask me to interview away from the business, and not at least offer to meet at McDonald’s or some other public place in the city, is just strange.

I responded, telling her I was uncomfortable with the proposed interview but would be happy to do it at the business’s office or another public place in Buenos Aires. Otherwise, I respectfully refused. It may very well have been fine, but who knows? Maybe they’d be waiting, joking amongst themselves, “Here comes the dumb American, walking right into the trap with his passport in hand.” No thank you–especially for the pittance they’re offering.

Update: I just received this response from Kimberlee:

Dear Kyle,

I never said we’d be meeting at my home. We always meet at a corner cafe near the train station.

Nobody has ever told me that they don’t feel comfortable coming out here. I’ve recently had my husband in the hospital and have a small baby. That’s why the interviews are held here only.

But if you don’t feel comfortable, forget it.

Thanks

Statistically speaking, there is a greater chance she’s telling the truth than lying. However, especially after being robbed, my antennas are always up. That’s one of the unfortunate realities of living in a large city–especially in Latin America. Something here just doesn’t pass the smell test. And even if the school is legitimate, who wants to work for someone that ends a business email with “But if you don’t feel comfortable, forget it.”? It doesn’t exactly smack of professionalism.