Korean Job Discussion Forums

[alwaysfaithless]

[IncognitoHFX]

[alwaysfaithless]

This is my second time back in Korea. My first time was a few years ago, and I was on of the older teachers at an adult school. Most of my coworkers and i got along fine, considering we were all 11 males sharing a small office. I didn't go out with them a lot, but when I did, I always appreciated the time with them. To be truthful, I was like you--I thought I had nothing in common with the young crowd....I thought they didn't want to hang out with an old guy. Surprisingly, going out with some of these guys turned into some great times.....for sure, there was drinking--couldn't get around that, but there were a few guys who liked hiking and showed me the ropes about the many mountains for hiking.....also, there was the gyms, the jimjilbangs, the noraebangs, all completely new to me and I really enjoyed myself. I guess because we are all experiencing a new culture, were all learning something together. For this reason, I don't think that age really matters. Like you, IncognitoHFX, I am not much of a drinker, and I stay away from the bar scene for that reason. Now, here I am again, 41 years old and back in Korea working around 20-somethings. I get along fine with the guys and girls at work, and I truly appreciate it when some ask me to hang out with them. I am learning a valuable lesson about this age gap thing; what really counts is being able to connect with the right person. Your young, and are probably more flexible than this oldie, so I am sure you will have no trouble hooking up with a buddy/girlfriend in the near future. Let it happen naturally. It is the only way.

[jajdude]

Age? bah, what a pile of horsefeathers. I gave up birthdays years ago.

Yr poll should read do ya feel old? Under 30 or over? maybe, like it matters so much

[peppermint]

Incognito, you're over thinking this. Relax, be a little more flexible about things and you'll enjoy yourself more. So you aren't into the heavy drinking scene, good for you. Don't let it rule out friends that are though.

You don't have to roll with the same crowd every single night, it's probably better if you don't. You'll have a wider range of experiences and likely learn more that way, never mind the whole end of contract issue that comes up in so many expat friendships.

Age is only a problem if you let it be. I've got very good friends who're 10-15 years older than me and a few who are 8 years younger, and I'm 29. Eventually you realize that common ground counts for much more than the number of birthday candles on your last cake

[WanderingDolphin]

[Ginormousaurus]

I'm 25. I was 21 when I got here and I was always the youngest, no matter what group of people I hung out with.

[indytrucks]

I always ran with an older crowd in my 20s. I found people slightly older to be more interesting. And fair play, the older folks were always very open to hanging around with someone younger, and trying to make me feel comfortable.

Now that I'm a bit older, I find I don't have the same patience for younger folk that was afforded me. Maybe it's a change in attitudes, I dunno, but mostly I find the 20s crowd here in Korea to be shallow, overly hedonistic and downright irritating.

[hcn207]

Really? I'm 22, 3 of my coworkers are under 25, and I feel like I see other people around my age a lot when I'm out in Gangnam and Apgujeong. Maybe it depends on your region/school?

[sirfro]

I recently turned 23, but I look old, especially if I don't shave every other day... My receding hairline helps too

[nomaster]

[VirginIslander]

Western age: 26. Korean age: 28. ESL age: 37.