Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Konglishman]

China also has some issues with respect to privacy although I have to admit ignorance as to whether medical privacy is respected or not.

For example, on Christmas eve last year, I went to take my 2 cats to a pet sitting service as I was about to take a short Christmas vacation to Seoul. The lady who I had previously spoken with was not there. So, I called someone from work to translate. Speaking on the phone, I told my co-worker that I had my cats with me and was about to explain what I needed her to translate. But then, she said that "I know."

I asked her how she already knew that I had taken my cats with me from my apartment. She said that my neighbor had called her to tell her that. They had met once when she was helping me find an apartment, but I must say that I found it strange to learn that my neighbor was calling my co-worker to begin with not to mention the fact that it was over such a mundane detail of me carrying my cats in a pet carrier.

In a more disturbing example, I was at a belated New Year's Party organized by the school. It was only for the teachers and administrators (no students there). Food and drinks (including alcohol) was free. I had several glasses of wine (as had many other teachers there) by the time a contest had started. I went up second for the contest drawing and to my surprise won the much coveted iPad. Upon winning the iPad, one of the school administrators asked me to do the Gangnam Style dance. All in good fun, I obliged.

Well, a few days later, one of my 10th grade students was chatting with her friends in the hall. Then, she asked me if it was true. "Is what true?" I asked. Then, she said, "I heard you were drunk and doing the Gangnam Style dance."

[aq8knyus]

Yeah this a major irritation, I remember when I first came to Korea and my co-teacher not only looked at my results she discussed them with a nurse.

To the OP if you have to explain what you need in the future when im in doubt I always just say 피검사 and/or 소변검사, depending on what I need. It is by no means the natural Korean thing to say, it just helps me to avoid having to say HIV, AIDS or drugs.

Also has anyone else seen how they take and store urines tests? Paper cups all in a line with no sealed covering, on display. Back home at least you get a capsule with a sealable top that is covered for the most part by labels.

I gag every time I have to return my piss cup back to the tray with all the others. Cups half full of other people's piss is not something you want to see in the morning.

[Smithington]

[rollo]

I totally understand this, as the delicate flowers you are you shouold never ever be subjected to any sort of stress or any thing outside of how things are done in the West.

I wept when I read that you actually had to endure a medical test. A medical test that somehow I am not sure how is racist.

I also am not sure was it the anti-spectrum orginization that administerd the test???

but you are sure it is only being done for racial motives? How do you know that? telepathy perhaps.
but there is a solution so that you are not exposed to anymore of this horror,

They have airports here where they have planes that can fly you back to the West. See problem solved. Your delicate sensabilities will be safe that way.

[dairyairy]

[Stan Rogers]

[Steelrails]

Not speaking on other medical privacy related questions, but the OP in this years old thread is basically blaming the natives for him being unable to speak in Korean and it resulting in a cross-cultural and linguistic screw-up.

According to the OP he had a note that said exactly what needed to be done, but of course the OP lacks the linguistic ability to confirm if indeed that was the case.

Then the OP basically does the equivalent of "WHY DON'T ANY OF YOU PEOPLE SPEAK ENGLISH?!?!" and blames the nurses for what happens.

Instead of asking for a blood test, or a physical the OP asks for an AIDs test and then is upset when they get sent to get an AIDs test (which incidentally is not the full screening and not the proper test).

To top it off the OP claims they were "stigmatized" as if anyone gave a crap about that incident 15 minutes later.

Other incidents deserve sympathy, the OP's seems to be the result of someone who doesn't excel at thinking and reacting calmly and rationally.

[rkc76sf]

[sluggo832004]

lol @ this website.

It seems like half the people on here are self hating/ self righteous westerners who loathe and hate all foreigners. Any complaint turns into a rescue/defense mission to save Koreans.


And another half are the "I hate everything about Korea" crowd. Which makes for great threads to read alot.

[Steelrails]

[Squire]

I'm a pretty open person but I try to be a bit secretive about anything I wouldn't want everyone at my school to know. My co-teacher called me up just a couple of days ago to tell me that another foreign teacher she works with at a different school (a friend of mine) is sick and will require an operation. I can't stand the idea of my CT calling people up to tell them my news so I try not to tell her much

Last year I went to get my health checkup done myself because I couldn't be bothered listening to my CT wittering on that afternoon, but this time I'll probably do myself it on privacy grounds

[Weigookin74]

[Weigookin74]

Let me say, I don't expect people to be fully fluent in English here, at all. I even speak some basic Korean to people and they speak some basic English to me and we meet in the middle. Now complex things, I do need an English speaker, of course.

[aq8knyus]

@steelrails

It was clear from the OP that the problem was not communication as the nurses eventually understood, albeit with great difficulty. The problem was shouting it out in front of god knows how many people.

To take your laboured analogy, if the nurses back home finally understood the arabic speaking middle easterner would it be ok for them to shout it out in front of other people?

There was no need to do that, they should have shown more tact and respect. I dare say many, many Koreans would feel the same if they were in that position.

[Steelrails]