Korean Job Discussion Forums

[isthisreally]

Once or twice a month my hagwon has dinners where all the teachers get together and go out to eat and drink on the bosses tab. While I'm not against this idea in principle and am grateful for these free outings, most of the time there are other things I'd rather be doing. The problem here lies in the fact that I'm pressured to attend these events. I'll be asked beforehand if I'm going and then if i reply no, i'll be pestered for reasons and asked again and again to come and asked why can't i come over and over etc.

Now it seems like the Korean teachers at my school never seem to have a problem getting out of going to these things. They always have good excuses if need be. I'm guessing they just make something up about some family occasion and that's a line that can't be crossed. Unfortunately my family isn't here. So what do you use when the occasion arises?

[Ya-ta Boy]

It's the group harmony thing, which in principal isn't bad. And drinking together can create a positive feeling. Lots of teenage parents who conceived an illegitimate baby can attest to that.

It's a mistake to skip all of these things. You risk being perceived as a wangtta.

They can also be a drag.

One approach that works is to pretend to be enthusiastic about the next one. When it's announced do a two or three minute riff on how much you're looking forward to it. Then slap your forehead and say something about it being a) someone's birthday party or b) going away party. (The key is some event that can't be rescheduled.) Express disappointment.

[browneyedgirl]

You're dog Sparky is sick and you have to give him four shots of medicine at night over a four hour time period. Going to the party WOULD KILL SPARKY..and then cry a little.

[oldfatfarang]

Saying that Korean food gives you 'sol sa' will surely stop future invitations.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

Two evenings a month is not a huge amount of time and spending it with your co-workers will greatly enhance the respect and appreciation you get at the workplace. One thing that most newbies just simply fail to realise is that what happens outside the classroom has a huge bearing on what happens inside the classroom, and is in fact directly related to how professionally you can run your lessons. This is more so at public school but even at hagwon, students can sense how much you're esteemed by your colleagues and will respond accordingly.

[BS.Dos.]

Beer and fancy restaurants? Sounds great.

I'm playing basketball with my co's next week. Never played before, but I'm looking forward to it.

[atomic42]

Reading these posts makes realize that the majority of forum members must be about 18 years old and spoiled little whiners. Why the eff wouldn't you go out to dinner with your colleagues? It's not like it's coming out of your pocket. Are you afraid of learning about a new culture and putting odd things in your mouth? Why didn't you stay in Des Moines instead of coming here?! This s.hit really pisses me off.

Nutter.

[Masta_Don]

I'd love to hear how these people'd howl about MT.

"What they want me to go to the country, all expenses paid, to eat and drink for the weekend?! Are they crazy? I'm 12-1 on Madden this season but the Broncos have a one game edge on me. I'm never going to get MVP at this rate. It's gonna take all weekend. No way I can go."

[ceesgetdegrees]

[Masta_Don]

[atomic42]

[marlow]

Excuse? Just say you don't want to go, that you like your job and your co-workers, but you have a busy life.

Personally I hate school dinners. School lunches are good, but school dinners are long. The food and conversation don't make up for the time. I'd much rather eat with my co-workers than do paperwork and teach, but once the day is over I'd like to get home to my wife and two kids, some self-study time, some exercising, reading, and writing. And then try to get to bed at a decent hour. But that's just me.

[waynehead]

I'm on my second year here. Last year at my hagwon we used to do the dinner/drinks thing maybe once a month...I always went, and had a good time. The mix of foreigners/koreans was about half/half and everyone could/would speak english.

I'm at a public school now. I get along with pretty much everyone, especially my co-teachers. But I can't stand going out to dinner with them. I know I'm lazy, and I should know a little (more than what I know) korean by now, but as the only waygookin these things are essentially three or four hours of silent tedium. Even when I go out with the english teachers, they speak korean most of the time and just give up on including me.

And with the exception of the first "welcome the waygookin" dinner, I've had to pay every time.

I don't care if it's petty. I'm making a damn excuse next time.

[silvertoes]

I get (got, I should say ... I finished yesterday) along great with my colleagues - a few will be lifelong friends - despite rarely if ever going to the staff outings.

Why not go? Because (a) I had a full life here outside work (b) I often prefer time alone after spending all days with packs of kiddies - so sue me, I'm an introvert , (c) unless another foreigner went, which was rare, I could look forward to sitting and listening to top-speed Korean for most of the evening and (d) I rarely if ever got more than a couple of hours notice and so usually already had plans. This 'if you're not with us you're against us' approach to staff socialising by some posters isn't even held so strongly by my Ko-workers, so why are you so vehement about it, waeguks?

[ceesgetdegrees]