Korean Job Discussion Forums

[alinkorea]

This will be my 3rd year in the same public school. Never had a gift for Chusok. To others in public schools, have you previously received Chusok gifts?

[JiH]

Well,

To be honest in the eyes of your co-workers, you are not a real "teacher teacher" as I like to call it. So things like Chusok gifts and the "bonus" money aren't applicable to you.

At the same time, you don't have the same responsibilities nor are you required to stay late just for the sake of staying late because your boss is like a lot of the Korean teachers.

My friend and I discussed it and while it's very irritating. It's not something likely to change.

[eamo]

I've just been through a tense meeting with my boss because of this. My public/private high school has given the Korean teachers a cash gift for Chuseok but nothing to foreigners. My boss is saying that it's because of the public school pay system. Basically, in a convulated way, the Chuseok bonus is part of a teachers salary and not really a true bonus. The foreigners sign different contracts which don't have any bonus built into it.

I don't know if he's telling the truth or just covering up. I too would be interested to know if many foreigners are getting Chuseok gifts from public schools.

[spliff]

I got a small towel.

[hubba bubba]

I got socks last year.

Or maybe that was for Teacher's Day.

[blueatjustc]

i got 100k, must be an odd school

[genezorm]

i think its just because none of you understand korean culture

[jaderedux2]

When I worked at a hogwan I got 100K bonus and a soap and toothpaste set. Public School...hearty handshake!

Jade

[theatrelily]

I got nothing last year; but then again, the Koreans didn't get anything either.

This year they gave me extra time off at the end of this week to fly out for my sister's wedding in Trinidad.

Much better than the Spam gift box my old hagwon is fond of giving its teachers.

[hugo_danner]

I got the same picture album they give 6th grades when they leave for middle school. It's pretty nice, but I don't take pictures much anymore.

[Rapacious Mr. Batstove]

I got the SPAM and Oil gift set in my first year here.

I'm going to give it to my handler, it's two years old. Do you think she'll notice?

[Smee]

First year in hagwon I got a case of SPAM and a small bit of money (it was actually just the overtime I was owed, but the director brought us into his office and gave it to us in his envelope, as if he were doing us a favor).

Last year I didn't get anything. The teachers got cash bonuses, of course. I understand why we're not included, and it doesn't really bother me that much. But it is tough to feel acclimated when you're an outsider to all the functions and ceremonies.

I don't expect anything for their holidays. I'd be very happy to have Thursday and Friday off, but we'll see.

[Michelle]

Hi There,

Hmmm, I wasn't expecting a bonus, they already gave me Thursday and Friday off for a longer holiday.

If I do get it it will be a definite plus.

I was thinking, aren't we expected to give our coworkers something?

How about some good Duk? (rice cake) you wouldn't believe it took me a while to think of that!

Any thoughts?


Michelle

[Jellypah]

I'll either get a box of shower gel and moisturizer - or more likely a box with a couple bottles of wine. That's nice. The K-teachers get 150,000W gift certificate for Lotte though.

Michelle - I don't know about getting your co-workers something. I doubt it. Usually it's time for the boss to be thankful for your hard work. The other teachers and I used to pool together to get a couple boxes of fruit for the boss, but she asked us to stop doing that.

[Alyallen]

Never got a gift. Don't want a gift, anyway. I'd much rather have the whole week off but what are the chances of something so sensible happening two years in a row