Korean Job Discussion Forums

[whatever]

I think that Koreans are some of the most interesting people I've ever lived among for several reasons...I find many of them to be charismatic, interesting, accomplished and humorous.

Sometimes the humorous part is unintentional, and some of my favorites are when they make assertions about Korea or some perceived reality in Korea vs. what they perceive to be the case in other countries or cultures.

>>>I'm sure we all have a few funny recollections. Please share! In a good-natured sort of way, you dig?...

A good one that I heard today was this...A Korean coworker had invited me to accompany him to his church this weekend. He knew that I wouldn't be interested, as over a while he came to know me and that I was raised in a different faith and now didn't care, but he asked anyway. I politely declined, even thanked him, for his offer.

He persisted throughout the day and finally I simply told him thanks but no thanks, it would only make me uncomfortable. That I couldn't possibly enjoy it, so it was neither good for him or me. So he says, "Perfect! In Korea we know that church is working if it makes you uncomfortable! The more uncomfortable the better! Korean church is the most effective in the whole world. Everbody knows this. You must have seen it in your media at home. It's big news!"

I ignore the latter part, but then tell him that I knew many North Americans who enjoyed and were genuinely uplifted by going to church. Not my cup of tea, but...So he continues, "See, see, see, that is what is wrong with your country. In Korea, we know better. Korean church is punishment! ...So, are you coming?"

(There must be so many, even more awkward or funny, but that's just today. Cheers!)

[Ilsanman]

My mother in law was watching James Bond get it on with Halle Berry, and she said 'I am glad Korean women don't have 1 night stands'.

I would have corrected her, but then I would have to explain how I know.

[blaseblasphemener]

Kim Il Sung is a great patriot.

chortle, guh-fa, slap knee.

[Young FRANKenstein]

Did you know Korea is the only country with four seasons?

[Oreovictim]

My good friend/former coworker had to give lectures on Friday nights. He had one lecture on Canada and made the mistake of telling the students that Canada is larger than Korea. The students replied, "No, that is not possible. Korea is larger." These are high school students, by the way.

He also did a lecture on pottery, and he said that some of the first known pottery came from Japan. Again, the students said, "No, it didn't. It came from Korea. The Japanese stole it from Korea."

Now I give lectures. I've been covering the animal kingdom. They weren't too impressed with learning about dogs, and they REALLY weren't interested with learning about cats. "Teacher, teacher, I don't like cats." "Why?", I asked. "They go to the fish market and try to steal fish." I asked them what would they like to learn about. "Give us math lectures. We have exams coming up." And . . . "Give us lectures on Korea."

I should give them a lecture on Japan. I bet that that would really go over.

[jaganath69]

Whilst getting to know the new Korean teachers at my private school, one of them, a young lass from Busan, told us she had been to the Philippines. I asked her what she did there, and she told me she'd pretty much kicked it back on the beach all week. When I inquired as to who had the better beaches, she responded, "Busan, of course".

[shifdog]

A Korean once told me that the Han River is the longest river in the world.

[DCJames]

[shifdog]

[VanIslander]

[Vancouver]

[insam]

[freethought]

[articulate_ink]

Good topic.

Here are mine:

1. Korea is the only divided country in the world.

2. Kimchi kept SARS out of Korea.

3. Wellbing is an important trend in Korean society.

4. Koreans have better immune systems and are generally stronger and healthier than Caucasians.

[Young FRANKenstein]