Korean Job Discussion Forums

The Great Toad · Joined: 12 Jun 2004

Well today I was researching Busan my future home in just a bit when my current contract here expires. And while wondering about it I determined that I would move there regardless of how bad the public schools or university systems are and even if I could not drink the tap water. It is true that here in Taiwan I have ridden almost every day of the year, and it is also true I have only had a very few incidents with small kids slapping / poking my behind - whereas in Korea I was constantly deeply hurt by such antics Embarassed

However, I am sooooo isolated out in Country redneck land my only choice of friends are a few drunken cigarette smoking and drug loving but otherwise basically good people (ala "Metropolitan") here Wink

Therefore I do not have a plethora of friends like in the USA.

But, after a few meetings with some acquaintances here in Taiwan I decided against endeavoring to spend a lot of time with them as one Brain Child thought he was clever to pull out a hash pipe at our barbecue Shocked

There was a certain lady in Jeju - maybe still there - who I think may well be crazy Confused

- at any rate I did in fact spend time with her together with others - but if I could do it again I would not have.

Of course in Busan I will have a huge base of people to choose from so chances are I won't spend time with someone who is a L00zer Freak. Not to say I hate anyone - I love everybody - but when it comes to social times you have to use discretion on who to invite and who to avoid. Happily after a short interview withmost foreigners you can get clues if they are wholesome individuals or something else...

Still I would attend a Dave's gathering if only to show off to everyone how clever, handsome, wise, and humble I am in person.

But, how about you guys- do you ever say to yourself - "Why am I with this group or person - what am I thinking? Oh yeah I do not know anyone else who speaks English."

faster · Joined: 03 Sep 2006

I've said it before, but it bears repeating:
When I moved to Korea, I promised myself I wouldn't befriend anyone I wouldn't choose to spend time with if I were back in the states. Five years later, I am sure it has served me well.

The Great Toad · Joined: 12 Jun 2004

dbl post

The Great Toad · Joined: 12 Jun 2004

Yes, but Faster in Jeju there were only about 300 native English speakers so it was not like I had a lot to choose from- sometimes an ok guy had a tag along who was someone I would never befriend in the USA as we had complete opposite world views. You maybe were always in a big city...

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

faster · Joined: 03 Sep 2006

The Great Toad · Joined: 12 Jun 2004

Ha ah well let me explain one example that I look back on from my Jeju days with bemusement now...

Ok what was irritating at the time is how I had dinner with an alcholic repeat drunk driver who eventually got jail time for it and a Real life Beavis turned flesh from Beavis and butt head... Sad thing is it started with me meeting up for dinner with two all around well adjusted and likeable friends. The Real life Beavis was a complete freak boy who talked in excessively vulgar ways in front of the two oter very well adjusted English Speaking K-Girls at dinner. He even did a quote straight from the show about his monkey - then repeated several times until he was positive the K-Girls understood his humor and saw how clever and charming he was. The jailed drunk driver lady was speaking how she was very happy to be working in Korea since here jail sentence had related to the loss of her office job in America. Needless to say I politely explained to the two well adjusted Korean ESL teachers that they should please excuse me of such a gathering with the real life Beavis again. Actually, the drunk convict seemed a pleasant type from our short dinner- I guess she just loved the drink too much... In fact I think the real life Beavis may still be in Jeju...

PimpofKorea · Posted: Fri May 25, 2007 7:55 pm Post subject:

sadsac · Joined: 22 Dec 2003 Location: Gwangwang

I rarely go drinking so that precludes hanging with 99% of the foreigners in Korea. I like be a selective SOB, just as I am back home. Smile

pest2 · Joined: 01 Jun 2005 Location: Vancouver, Canada

Yes, almost everyone I've met in Korea is weird. Or maybe I am weird and people in Korea are just too normal.

I dont know about Taiwan. I had an easier time meeting people I clicked with in China.

One aspect I'd like to include in a comparison of Korean and China would be the fact that most expats in Korea seem sorta defensive and insecure and generally unhappy whereas expats in China seem to be more the happy-go-lucky types. I think this probably has to do with the fact that Chinese like foreigners (at least in the city) whereas in Korea....

Cheonmunka · Joined: 04 Jun 2004

Man, I must be old. I only really hang out with my family and wife's friends. I work so much and get into hobbies like music that I have no need for social drinking, which is what most people do.
But, I do have need for social interaction like this. This site is good to be able to slightly express yourself as well as get some more views. It's bases then would be intellectual.
So, would I let my friends affect my, or compromise my position? I can't see how that would happen.

But, sometimes they offer unique advice. As much as some others I have had the fortune to have had correspondence with on this site.