Korean Job Discussion Forums

[oneofthesarahs]

Apparently the rent in my apartment complex is going to be going up by a substantial amount in the next month, so my director wants to move me to another apartment (one that she owns).

In the grand scheme of things, moving really doesn't bother me because I don't have much stuff. The new apartment will also be about 10 minutes closer to work, has better kitchen appliances, and is generally better furnished (my place now is pretty sparce). In terms of space, it's slightly larger. But the real hitch is that if a new Korean teacher gets hired, I'd have to share the apartment (It's in the building where all of the other single Korean teachers live). It states very clearly in my contract that I am to be provided with single housing...no roommate.

I really don't care if I have a roommate or not, but I don't know if I should demand a single apartment no matter what. On one hand, I don't want to seem unreasonable or create a huge problem for my director because she has always been very reasonable and very fair, and having a roommate wouldn't bother me. But on the other hand, I'm afraid that if I roll over on this aspect of the contract, I'm opening myself up to other shit. So far, I've had nothing but great experiences with my director, but I still want to look out for myself.

Should I bother making waves and demand the single apartment or no?

[tzechuk]

Cross that bridge when you reach it?

Why rock the boat unnecessarily?

Think I can write an entire reply in cliches?

[yingwenlaoshi]

I don't understand how a roommate would be no problem. That would be uncomfortably strange, unnecesarily stressing, very invasive, and quite rude of your boss to even suggest.

Perhaps you're looking at the world through rose-colored glasses. Right there's a clue that you are probably not looking deep enough into the situation your are in. I'll bet she's screwing you in some other ways that you may not be aware of or you are just letting slide. The fact that you're asking whether she'll take you a mile if you give her an inch shows that you are suspicious of something.

If, by some ungodly reason, you accept the roommate, you should get a piece of that pie. Like at least a 200,000 increase. She's saving at least 300,000 and saving on having to pay any key money. Yeah, she probably has said to you, "Oh! Your utilities will be lower!" and painting a pretty picture, but...

[Fresh Prince]

Koreans operate at the ultimate last minute. Wait until they actually do anything before making a fuss with your school. There's a good chance that they will suddenly change their mind and the issue will be resolved at the very last minute.

It sounds like they will be moving you to a better place so it is a win-win situation. The school wants to save money and they will be giving you a better place. Since the school has been treating you well so far then there really isn't any reason to rock the boat.

You could always causually explain to your director that you can't have a roommate since in the west the culture is different. If they actually go through with moving someone in with you then you can bring up the contract but really, a lot of people are working at some pretty bad hogwans and dealing with bigger issues than having a roommate.

[alabamaman]

In my humble opinion, you should take a stand in a respectful manner when the time comes. I don't think you'll have any problems doing that with your boss when it's time to tackle that issue.

[maybe]

If you do get the roommate, it's going to be someone who you don't know at all. Then goodness knows what will happen from there. It's obvious that you are not comfortable about the situation, I wouldn't be either. If you and your director have been on good terms, just tell her. She's moving you for her own benefit. So now she is going to be more happy at work. But then will you be happy at work with having a roommate?

If worst comes to worst, the only thing she can do is have you move into another apartment. But why would she waste the time and money and when she already owns this one? In the end, she will have to pay for another apartment for either you or that maybe-going-to-be-hired Korean teacher.

[plokiju]

Your school provides accommodation for the Korean teachers? I've never heard of that happening.

Is it a 2 bedroom apartment at least if she's expecting you to share at some point? A shared studio would be completely unacceptable.

[ontheway]

You need to inform your boss now, in advance, that you don't mind moving to help out, but you signed your contract in expectation of living in single housing and you wish to keep it that way. If you take this stand now, you will avoid any misunderstanding later. If you just move now, without making the point, there will be problems later.

[yingwenlaoshi]

[swetepete]

Unless you tell her right now that a room-mate is a huge problem, I bet your boss will go ahead and make plans based on you and some random living together happily. Tell her now, "look, boss, i love ya, i dont want no static, but in my county, roomies are only ok if they're lovers. otherwise, it's a baaaad idea." Not saying yer boss is trying to exploit you, but rather, that you need to tell her that shyte's not cool, otherwise she'll assume it is.
She'll make plans accordingly. Otherwise, she'll put herself in a situation where she has ASSUMED you'll be ok with it, plan it all out, and then be cheesed at you cause yer like 'no, f&$*& that."
Room-mates can be fun if you need them, but otherwise, *#&$^ that, eh? What is this, college?

[swetepete]

btw--didnt mean to sound like a no it all, it's just i had similar exp. (with bosses i liked) who were trying to save some money, and it got sticky in the end cause i didn't make myself clear at the start.

[wylies99]

Believe me, you DON'T want a roommate.
I could tell you roommate stories you wouldn't believe, and, frankly, I don't want to post. But, I'll give you some of the general problems.
Just picture the most disgusting person you've ever seen in a bar or smelled in an elevator. Now picture the rudest person you've ever met, and, finally, picture someone who has mooched off of you so much that you just can't stand even seeing them, any more.

Now, roll that person into one and put them in an apartment with you- staying up all night, playing the worst music ever made as loud as it goes ("11"- Spinal Tap ), eating your food, leaving messes for you, forcing you to buy all of the common items (like trash bags) and never taking out the trash, getting a pet and leaving it for you to take care of, borrowing money from you, and POing the neighbors.
A female roomate can stealing your boyfriend, borrow your clothes, use your cell phone, and be a biatch during THAT time.

Yes, thats the AVERAGE adult roommate. Some women can be SUPER disgusting- beyond even what pig/slob "Animal House" guys can be.

It can get worse than that- maybe mix in some mental problems, substance abuse issues, and maybe a criminal past.

I've seen all of it, either personally or from friends who've been in those situations.

Just say NO WAY.

[Young FRANKenstein]

[poet13]

No way. It's difficult enough living with someone you CHOOSE to live with, let alone someone you don't know. This ain't college anymore. Think about your quality of life. What are the chances that it goes up with another person living there? Now what are the chances it goes down?

[bnrockin]

what will that do in terms of your contract? Does your contract list a specific place where you live?

The best case scenario, IMO, is that if your contract mentions your company will provide a single room, furnished apartment. If they try to double bunk you, pull that baby out. I might be totally off here, but it sounds reasonable to me.