Korean Job Discussion Forums

IncognitoHFX · Joined: 06 May 2007 Location: Yeongtong, Suwon

I don't understand it. I always thought ajosshi referred to a middle aged, married Korean man, but apparently I fit the profile. Even though I'm not married and I'm 23 years old.

I've been cracking down on my kids lately for being grabby in class when they need help. They scream "TEACHAAAAAA" until I come, or they'll grab me by the arm and shove the test/essay/whatever in my face and say "answer!" (No, I don't tolerate that. Its just been four months and they refuse to stop this behaviour).

Lately my youngest kids (I only teach about four classes of non-middle school students thank god, I like teaching middle school students) have been pointing at me and saying "Ajosshi! Bali-wa, Bali! Help!" or just saying "Ajosshi!!!" and starring expectantly. I ignore them unless they sit there quietly and raise their hand of course, but I was a bit surprised that they were calling me this. Isn't this term reserved for older Korean men, not young Westerners?

oneofthesarahs · Joined: 05 Nov 2006 Location: Sacheon City

They're probably just being assholes.

ryouga013 · Joined: 14 Sep 2007

I have told the kids that if they use the words "bali" or "quickly, quickly" to me, they are going to be helped last, and I will help them as slowly as I possible can. Most of them have stopped.

As far as the Ajoshi thing, I have no idea, never been called that, nver even heard it.

Ilsanman · Joined: 15 Aug 2003 Location: Bucheon, Korea

I am the same, the more urgent and impatient they are, the slower I get. Or I help someone else.

spyro25 · Joined: 23 Nov 2004

i got called ajossi once by some students, then i told them i wasnt married yet. i forget the korean for this but being of ajossi age and not married brought an even worse name for me!

Ilsanman · Joined: 15 Aug 2003 Location: Bucheon, Korea

They called you 노총각 I bet.

spyro25 · Joined: 23 Nov 2004

thats the one

peppermint · Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2007 5:57 am Post subject:

Oh come on, to a 6 year old, high schoolers seem like grownups, so of course they're seeing you as older than you are.

crsandus · Joined: 05 Oct 2004

I was at Caribbean Bay a couple years back (at the tender age of 25) floating in the river. The river/stream was awfully crowded and I somehow managed to separate a group (3 to 4) of young high school girls (or old middle school girls) who were floating together in their inner tubes. I tried pushing them back together but ended up pushing them farther away from each other. The girls started yelling and pointing to each other and the only thing I heard from that was "ajeossi".

I looked back to where my sister was floating and I pointed to myself and mouthed "ajeossi?" asking if she had heard the same thing that I had, she she shook her head yes and started laughing like crazy... It was both a funny and yet sad moment.

faster · Joined: 03 Sep 2006

There isn't really a common term for unmarried adult man (male version of "agashi"). It's not rude at all.

write of weigh · Joined: 08 Sep 2007 Location: Mars

Some lady in a car approached me today as I was walking down the street. She said, "agoshi, agoshi," I also am not used to being called agoshi. Makes me feel old. Anyway, I was dumbfounded that she was actually talking to me. She proceeded to ask me directions to some place-i think. I just smiled and was thinking in my mind, cant she see im a wagook. I responded "Mo-lie-yo," with a hint of shock, but also a feeling of inexpicable pride that a local asked me directions. Felt as an equal or maybe that i belonged.

kreitler7 · Joined: 07 Jan 2005 Location: Seoul

If they can't get the grasp of "teacher" then "son-sang-nim" is fine. That means "teacher" in Korean. Give 'em a star or prize for everytime they correctly say "teacher". Better yet, give them a prize for putting up their hand and waiting and not saying anything at all.

IncognitoHFX · Joined: 06 May 2007 Location: Yeongtong, Suwon

Jizzo T. Clown · Joined: 27 Mar 2006 Location: at my wit's end

Wow, your students actually ask for help? Shocked

Since my predecessor had already told every one of my students to call me by my first name, it's been a lost cause getting them to address me correctly (i.e. "Mr. Clown," not "Jizzo") However, I am confident that their next teacher will be afforded the respect he or she deserves. Wink

So I think it's important to set a good example so the next teacher won't have to put up with the same BS...that, or make it clear how you want to be addressed with the next group of students.

xCustomx · Joined: 06 Jan 2006

I wouldn't worry about them calling you ajoshi, I'd be more concerned about classroom management issues that you seem to be having. If kids were shoving stuff in my face, screaming "Teachuuuuuuh" and grabbing me demanding I give them answers, there would be some sort of punishment. You need to let them know that you're the one in control of the class, not them