Job Discussion Forums

[Kebin]

So here I am in Busan, pondering my future, trying to figure out where in the world I should go after this. MOD EDIT My goal for next year is to be in a small town.

This may sound odd to many people, but one of the things that bugs me most about Korea is that it's a dog-obsessed culture. (Tacky jokes about culinary uses for dogs are not requested.) It seems virtually every Korean family owns a yappy little miniature-whatever. I've got nothing against normal, full-size dogs and even the quieter small dogs, but they're most definitely the exception that proves the rule over here: Koreans like tiny, noisy, irritating-as-hell little dogs that keep me up at night. On top of that, most Koreans are at best ambivalent about cats, and at worst see them as targets for cars. (One of my students gave me a rather graphic description of an under-wheel cat explosion, accompanied by a great big grin.)

So here's my question: has anyone noticed any countries that seem to have a particular fondness for cats instead of dogs, or at least a place where small dogs are far less common? The only two places that come to mind immediately for me are Japan and Italy, both of which I've enjoyed visiting in the past. Italy seems just about impossible to teach in for a non-EU resident--I'm a Canadian citizen--and Japan is just plain expensive, plus highly competitive, although I'd not be opposed to the idea if the right job came along.

Any suggestions for out of the way places? At the moment, quality of life is more important to me than money-earning potential and I'd like to get away from the cookie-cutter assembly line feel of Korea next year. And no #$%*& dogs!!!

[johnslat]

Dear Keban,

How about the Middle East? A distinct paucity of canines there (dogs are generally considered "unclean" in many Islamic societies.)

Regards,
John

[Glenski]

[Zero]

China. You will see dogs, but not in the yappy-dog-obsessed way you are talking about. The Chinese like a slightly larger grade of dog when they do have one, and most families don't have pets.

[Kebin]