Korean Job Discussion Forums

[stevemcgarrett]

This question has been bothering me for quite some time now. Back home in the States I feel out of place because of what I perceive to be too much vulgar individualism and just plain vulgarity. By this I mean the rising, democratically-distorted notion that my need to express myself, however debased, outweighs the community's interests. The relentless trash-talking, the airing one's dirty laundry like it was fine linen, the conversion of media to soft porn, parents who forget to discipline as they try to be their child's friend, the emulation of gangsta rappers, the junk food diet, the sexualization of pre-pubescent teens, the pervasiveness of the jock mentality in the schools, the privileging of money over education, the constant search for one's 15 minutes of fame and the need to feel validated, etc., etc.

Then I come to East Asia, at this moment Korea, and I am bombarded with vulgar collectivism. Banality abounding, the turning of youthful brains into porridge, the lock-step march to the examination room, the ceaseless competition for social status through the emulation of what is perceived to be proper behavior, the stifling of creativity in general for the sake of compliance and face-saving, the brow-beating of parents that makes college students co-dependent, the devaluing of the female gender, the insistence on nationalist allegiance even to the extent of choosing what car or cell phone to buy, the almost paranoid xenophobia and blind prejudice, the making of automatons in the office work place, the wasting of youthful energy in senseless late night cramming rather than more productive outlets, and on an on.

Ensnared, and caught between two extremes of cultural gravitation, in other words. Neither wanting one set of dictates or the other and knowing with increasing chagrin that a melding of the two sets of cultural norms is what is most desperately needed now but knowing there is a lack of cultural reciprocity, in that most in America (and the West as a whole) make little effort to learn from the East while the latter strives to compromise in some sectors of its societies.

Has anyone else felt this way and, if so, how do you deal with it?

[jdog2050]

[Demophobe]

[inkakola]

I totally agree with you about all the things wrong with American society, but what was the reason you moved to the other side of the planet? was it to find what you already knew you wanted to get away from? and which do you prefer? are you seeking a perfect society? i find a lot of the Korean culture to be refreshing, especially since i was a teacher back in the states. but at the same time, being here has taught me to appreciate individuality and to be glad that i come from a place where it is encouraged, no matter the societal consequences.

[PimpofKorea]

Culture sucks...money is good....hence I stay

[stevemcgarrett]

demophobe:

If it's not your circus, then pull up your tent poles and move to another thread. And take your monkey act with you.

jdog:

Ya know, I heard mention made of that once in a bar in Beijing from a bevy of Mongolian ladies of the evening. They spoke some English and Russian; no Chinese. Also heard it from a friend here in Korea who recently traveled there. But isn't corruption of the former Commie government rampant there? Perhaps I could live in a yurt.

Anyway, I'm not trying to escape something bad or find something better. Utopian I'm not: just whimsical about what a balanced society would look like. Perhaps I should venture into Scandanavia? Any leads on that?

[rothkowitz]

There's not a great value placed on individualism here........versus the excesses of individualism in most western places....

The female howling soundtrack on game shows versus Britneys' coochie.Blech.

Find culture where you can.

[Ya-ta Boy]

It's just a thought, but maybe the OP would be happier if less time were spent being judgemental.

[numazawa]

[captain kirk]

How do Koreans get hooked on Kimchi? So that, when travelling to Thailand, say, they must bring along spicy ramyon? As if kimchi is the sword of excalibur! How does it come about, this old boys, old school firm belief in the uberKorean-ness? From a foreigner's perspective there's nothing worth worshipping in a mess of fermented cabbage! But kimchi and other traditional vital fluids of Korean identity seem to be shared around the metaphorical community campfire so often, so heartily, that Koreans and their kit are the finest warriors. The tall tales of the virtues of Korean Identity kit are etched in stone. At some point in a Korean's life reality becomes Korean Superiority. Being a communal culture the rah rah is reciprocated, amplified, quadruplified.

Is this UberKorean-ness supposed to bother me personally, then, when it seems to me to be expressed as racism and xenephobia? Dammit, they don't know what racism or xenephobia is anymore! There may have been a time, at the age of ten, when the mind was open to 'the outside'. And I have the pleasure of working with kids!

Other countries amplify the merits of their national identity to the max, too. The OP is excellent! The writer depicts a lot of NOISE here, and there. Cultural, summary noise. Peaceful state of mind to pause and examine a life, state of mind, cross-cultural differences. I vote here for now. There is a lot of cultural NOISE stateside, too!

[Fresh Prince]

Your not the only one that feels that way.

Many people who share your thoughts have considered the thought of migrating to another country, where there are larger populations of people who think progressively, if such a country exists. Many Americans migrate to Canada or another English speaking country. But where does that leave your home country? A loss of forward thinkers would cause the insanity to only increase as there would be fewer and fewer people to add a voice of reason?

The historical way of dealing with this phenomenon is to write a book.

[jdog2050]

[Reflections]

Excellent post.

I think the answer to your problems lies in finding some middle ground, like spending some time in a country that isn't as polarised as the Korea and America you described.

After my first year here some time ago, I saved 15 million won and took a trip from Tijuana down to Colombia. It took over one year and I blew a good portion of that cash, but after Korea it was the most refreshing experience to discover that the world has more shades of grey than I once thought - with of course some 'streaks of white' late at night on the coast of Costa Rica.

[twg]

[4 months left]