Job Discussion Forums

[JezzaYouBeauty!!]

OK...Takibansei....now honestly, just calmly....

When have I said I hate Japan? When have I said I can't stand Japan? When have I said Japanese have been mean to me? When have I said Korea is better than Japan? When have I said I am going back to Korea?

You have no idea of MY academic background, and the things I have done, seen and learnt so far. You painted a picture as if I am your typical, dumb, idiot, newbie teacher....who just can't hack it. You don't know me or many others in a similar position. Lay off.

People who are wondering things like 'Taiwan vs Korea vs Japan' etc, are gonna get info from this thread. People sometimes ask about other foreigners, and the possibility of making good friends teaching abroad....and they're gonna get info from this thread.

And then you have to go and ruin the thread, with the big attack on me.

It is quite hard not to get berated on these forums. So what....I have to get a masters degree, learn japanese fluently, develop good connections, move to Tokyo.....before you'll respect anything I say on this forum. Is that it?

Was it me who brought up the topics of racism and discrimination in Japan on this forum?

I don't know why for some reason you are threatened by me, or Korea, or newbie teachers or whatever.........just go easy, mate.

[Speed]

To answer your OP Jezz:

I pretty much had the situation you described. Great job at an eikawa, little stress, both J and G friends and frequent nights out at 'the bar'.

Although the bar was a 15 minute bike ride away and I hit it about twice a week, it was a happy place that many of my aquaintances and friends used to gather.

As for the cost of going out being 10,000 a night - no way for me.
If I was going to the bar I was looking at about 2,000 yen = 3 strong drinks and some kara-age snacks or ramen on the way home.

I also used to easily save about 100,000 yen.

Yes Jezz, it's possible.

[Brooks]

I used to do that, but that was 3-4 years ago.
One thing with Japan is that people come and go, and your scene can disappear.
But I work six days a week. That is why I make more than many teachers.
You can`t have it all in this business.

With going out, it gets expensive, and 3 days a week gets tiring.
Once or twice a week is enough.

To go out that involves a train ride to at least one station.
Who walks home after drinking? Nobody I know, and that means last call can be early.

[SEndrigo]

Jezza,

Another good topic!

I now teach business classes in and around Tokyo...is it satisfying? yes, most of the time. The pay is great. The flexibility is great. But it's part-time. No job is perfect (though Zzonkmiles' job looks quite good), and no country is perfect.

As for having a tight-knit group of friends, I have a few good foreign friends and a few Japanese friends. Everyone else is just an acquaintence.

But to be honest, the only way to make a close Japanese friend (from my experience) is to speak really good Japanese....but it's not only language barrier, it's a cultural and social barrier as well.

Of course it can be done, there are many kind and interesting people here, and I don't regret coming here at all.

Give Japan some time, you'll go through highs and lows, I think just after the one-year mark is very important as it will determine whether you really want to stay here longer.

[Mark]

[Zzonkmiles]

[Mark]

Hi Zzonk,

Yeah, that answered it, and thanks for that.

[markle]

Jezza
I detect a couple issues going on in the background here. You're married to Japanese woman right? and that's why you're in rural Kyushu, and probably why you aren't going out drinking 3 nights a week. There was a reason you left Korea and that reason is still relevant, especially with a wife in tow.
Sounds to me that you are grappling more with lifestyle changes rather than geographic issues.
Personally if you're interested in party life then I say Thailand, you know the country, there are plenty of Japanese there so your wife will have people to relate to, just forget making money for your future.
But for the long haul, Japan offers much more. Hard to break into for sure but not impossible.

[Ryumicko]

"You painted a picture as if I am your typical, dumb, idiot, newbie teacher....who just can't hack it."


Hey, Im one of those...be nice

[PAULH]