Korean Job Discussion Forums

[denistron]

I'm trying to make a point to a Korean friend about all the boasting I hear in Korea. I've heard lots of people give examples on this message board such as "Koreans are smart because we use metal chopsticks". Or, "Korean language is the best because...."

What are so more commonly used examples that you might hear on a regular basis?

(by the way, this isn't a Korea bashing thread. I'm just trying to make a point about how much boasting goes on to a friend who disagrees...)

[Vancouver]

[mole]

...we have four seasons.
...we have a 10,000 year history.

[Demophobe]

[Atavistic]

Don't forget the glory of the alphabet.

[oldfatfarang]

During an otherwise interesting and stimulating conversation with a Korean police detective: "Our christianity is better than Western christianity" (teacher gobsmacked - lost for words).

[kermo]

...because they can drink off-license!
It was a beautiful afternoon in Burnaby, BC, and I had just picked up some tasty alcohol. I started a brilliant suggestion which trailed off into disappointment: "Let's drink this outdoors... oh wait. We're in Canada."

You probably don't hear this from Koreans, but they don't know how good they have it.

[Cerriowen]

mmmm... no one's mentioned their genetically pure, superior gene pool yet.

I'm constantly told that Korean women are the most beautiful in the world.

[indytrucks]

[Mix1]

Let's just admit this is a Korea bashing thread. But let's also admit that when a country boasts a lot it can really be annoying.

Also, there seems to be a MASSIVE gap between how Koreans view themselves and how others view them. This is almost comical at times.

For those who like to bash Korea, I think it may have something to do with living amongst Koreans and being rather frustrated by them on a daily basis (via perceived racism, xenophobia, rudeness, etc. ). These people then use the Internet forum to vent and release this frustration, in an effort to feel better and make sense of their situation in Korea.

I don't think this is always a bad thing. In the process they may learn something about themselves and Korea as well, especially if other people post replies that contradict or modify this thought process.

To be fair, I think the Seoul subway system is one of the best I have seen. They can boast about that.

[Unposter]

Koreans are the best in the world at Ladies Golf, short-track ice-skating, Archery, and of course Tae-kwon-do.

[jaganath69]

Things they can justifiably be proud of...

Dragging the economy from African levels to OECD membership in record time.

Creation of heavy industries when all economic experts said they should not be pursued.

Near full employment.

Democratisation (although there is a long way to go)

A vibrant civil society, albeit one that is brimming with racist f@cktard netizens at times.

Korean products becoming sold the world over and increasing in popularity.

I would say that none of this makes them the greatest, but they are good reasons for Koreans to be proud at times.

[Newbie]

You guys are WAY too anal. So he wants to make fun of the crazy stuff Koreans say. What's the big deal. They deserve it. It's about time they learned that the crap they say is a laugh and completely unacceptable. Sure, Korea is a decent place, but they definitely need to learn just how unimportant and unimpressive they really are.

Add to the list:

The Miracle of the Han (thank you USA and Japan)
Parents love their children more that Westerners do
5,000 year history (of doing nothing, of course)
They have a lot of patents pending (which usually results in nothing, of course)
Kimchi (thank you China)
Jeon: a sense of community that no other country has (thank you Arirang for being a racist piece of trash)
Good manners (nice to family. shit to strangers)

[mj roach]

korea is the best...
because our grandfathers, grandmothers
fathers, mothers and teachers
have always told us
that korea is the best...
that's why.

[Demophobe]