Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Konglishman]

Well, I am currently visiting my parents for the holidays. And while it has been nice at times, it has also been incredibly stressful at other times. In fact, I would say this visit is on track to being my most stressful family visit. I will give a brief summary of why.

While my brother, sister-in-law, 8 year old nephew, and baby niece were here at my parents' place for about a week, my nephew threw at least four different temper tantrums in part over where he was told to sit and over his apparent reluctance to apologize to his grandmother (my mother) over breaking something. Evidently, my sister-in-law has never believed in proper discipline. It also doesn't help that probably due to him going through the holiday nicotine withdraw, my brother tends to behave in a borderline hysterical mode. And of course, just before they left (at the very last minute for the airport), I had to chase after my parents' cat who had gotten to the driveway after my nephew had left the door open.

After they left, I found myself facing some histrionics from my parents over a couple of very slight misunderstandings. For example, my mother was curious about a pre-prepared meal I had just taken out of the microwave. She wanted me to bring it to her and show what it looked like. I asked her to wait just a minute and then I put the meal on a plate. Unfortunately, she got upset that I didn't show her with it on the original microwave plastic bowl. Some of yelling of my parents at me then resulted with me doing my best to keep calm (although not perfectly succeeding). Ultimately, at the end of that exchange, my mother called me "an asshole".

And of course, my mom has asked me yet again why I am living in "Red China". I tried to explain that I enjoy my lifestyle and standard of living overseas and was only planning to stay in China several more years anyways. But basically, she concluded that she was ashamed to have a traitor in the family...

At this point due to all of the stress, I have to say I am thinking of calling the airline and getting an earlier flight back to China. I do think I need some advice.

[Hokie21]

I am sorry to hear about your mothers attitude regarding your job and where you're living, that would be tough to hear. Your mother should be happy that you're doing something you enjoy, not many people can say that.

[Konglishman]

I didn't write all of that to make it a contest of who is under more stress. No doubt, your tight timeline for your visa and flight is quite stressful. So, you have my sympathies.

That said, I don't see you writing anything that specifically relates to family. Believe me, in addition to everything else, I am not particularly happy with my mother calling me unpatriotic. She has never before sunk that low in terms of guilt tripping.

I am not trying to snap back at you, but your post does seems a little tangential. Well, we all have our different struggles.

Anyways, as I have already said I could use some advice.

[Hokie21]

[CentralCali]

OP: Your mother is your grandmother? Interesting...

Regarding your mother querying why you "live in Red China": Yeah, my mother wonders the same for me. For some reason, she believes the entire country is still like the pictures of Beijing in the 1950s. Like my mother, your mother is holding onto her prejudices and it doesn't matter what the facts are. Do as I do and take my sister's advice: "Let her rant and don't respond to the baiting." Or you could have some fun and ask your mom why she is buying so much stuff from Red China herself thereby supporting that government!

I'm in the US now and leave for China in a week. Want some fun? Let's see if we can get both of our moms together to go out to a popular restaurant and then, even though there are Asian-Americans present, mine will just assume that "those foreigners don't understand English" and spout out racist BS, of course using all the standard ethnic slurs for Chinese, Koreans, Japanese, and Vietnamese. And she'll do this loudly. What will your mom do when she hears that crud in that setting?

[Konglishman]

[CentralCali]

[3DR]

[World Traveler]

Yet another great post by 3DR.

[Stan Rogers]

Wow so many of you have hooked up with the wrong Koreans. I have no issues with my in laws. We get a long great. Tonight me and the Father in law are going to have barbecue and a bottle of whiskey.

Good times at Stan's house tonight.

[Died By Bear]

[denverdeath]

[Hokie21]

[3DR]

Did people not read the OP?

[Died By Bear]

This is so funny