Korean Job Discussion Forums

[kimchi story]

Here's the deal - I come across a group of students today in the hallway and get tackled by them and they are screaming I LOVE YOU.

It's not unusual to hear it from students, boys and girls alike. Usually it comes across as an expression of familiarity and acceptance. It's like they're saying 'hey, you're ok'.

In fact, at the beginning of the year one of my colleagues explained the korean equivalent and said if I said it back the students would love it. I didn't remember the phrase - it was during a 'men's night' and we were pretty far in. But I did get a lot more comfortable with the situation, and I took to saying 'you too' as a stock response.

So what's the deal? Anyone else been through this? The giddy scrum in the hallway today was an unusual example, but I think it's a pretty common thing for foreign teachers and one that can make a person very uncomfortable, given western ethics and student/teacher relationships.

When they say 'I love you', what exactly do they mean? Am I right in assuming the Korean equivalent simply doesn't exactly translate? (the guy who first told me about it has since moved on)

[Gamecock]

Often, this is one of the only phrases the students know and they are just eager to get to know you. Even more often, especially with middle school or high school students they are just saying it to be silly or get a good giggle with their friends. Maybe it's my Western teacher/student ethics, but I never respond in the same. Usually I just ignore it and say "Hello" or try to engage them in basic conversation if it is clear they aren't just being silly.

On my first day at a public school on Monday, I had a female coteacher I had not yet met blurt out "I love you" after my introduction at the morning faculty meeting. That was a little more awkward...

[formerflautist]

I think they understand it's a way to express affection. They say "I like you" to their friends. Maybe in their heads it's more respectful to say "I love you." I just say thank you or I know and they think it's funny.

[yingwenlaoshi]

It's because they're retarded.

[kimchi story]

[ajuma]

When students say "Teacher, I love you" I just say "Yes, dear. I love you, too, but you STILL have to study!" Usually gets a laugh.

[yingwenlaoshi]

[Woland]

At least we've eliminated university students talking about 'losing their lover', as they did when I was first here ten years ago, when they really mean that they have broken up with their boy/girlfriend. I haven't heard this once in the year I've been back, but I could be wrong as I don't have that much direct contact with undergrads anymore. Can someone confirm this?

[poet13]

I've always interpreted it "I like you". Except for one of my co-teachers. He tries to hug me too often and I think he's gay.

[ajuma]

[Pak Yu Man]

First week of uni and the freshmen are saying crap like that to me. Just say it if you want to then make a joke to cover your ass.

One girl said it to me today, I said it back and then jumped behind the door and hid.


"Teacher...what's wrong?"

I said " I think my wife is going to come in and kill me!"

[oneofthesarahs]

I get "I love you" from a bunch of my students, but mostly the younger kids. Coming from the little kids, there's something less creepy and more sweetly innocent about it, I think. Most young kids develop genuine affection for their teachers, or any adult who is an authority figure. When my kindy kids tell me they love me, often accompanied with wrapping themselves around my legs, I feel perfectly okay saying "I love you too." It makes them so happy.

With the few older kids who say it, I usually play it safe and say "thanks."

[poet13]

"Um...he didn't see you with your pants the other day, did he?? "

Umm, actually, yes, and he was much too interested. Damn it, I had dismissed that. Now I'm going to have freaky dreams where I'm running away from someone but I'm too slow and they always keep gaining, but never quite catching up to me.

Thanks. Thanks a LOT!

[ajuma]

Um...are you saying that you WANT him to catch up???

[crsandus]