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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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kentucker4
Joined: 03 Sep 2007
Location: Georgia
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 Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 4:24 pm Post subject: should I be worried? |
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I just got into Seoul and am waiting on a flight to Ulsan. My boss or school official told me on the phone today I would have to get a hotel for two or so nights once I get into Ulsan as the person in my apartment hasn't moved yet. Also, the school is not even in Ulsan, so I am not sure why in the world he wants me to fly there. I was originally supposed to fly to Busan but the way they scheduled the flight made it impossible for me to get my luggae on time and catch a bus to the Gimpo Airport in time for the flight. Nothing was mentioned of apartment situation until I got here. Now I am in limbo at the airport waiting for my flight and too spend much needed money on a freakin hotel.  Is stuff like this common? I was REALLY looking forward to unloading my luggage into my new apartment and settling in...now I have to tote all of this stuff everywhere. |
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htrain
Joined: 24 May 2007
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| Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 4:27 pm Post subject: Re: should I be worried? |
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| kentucker4 wrote: |
| I just got into Seoul and am waiting on a flight to Ulsan. My boss or school official told me on the phone today I would have to get a hotel for two or so nights once I get into Ulsan as the person in my apartment hasn't moved yet. Also, the school is not even in Ulsan, so I am not sure why in the world he wants me to fly there. I was originally supposed to fly to Busan but the way they scheduled the flight made it impossible for me to get my luggae on time and catch a bus to the Gimpo Airport in time for the flight. Nothing was mentioned of apartment situation until I got here. Now I am in limbo at the airport waiting for my flight and too spend much needed money on a freakin hotel. Is stuff like this common? I was REALLY looking forward to unloading my luggage into my new apartment and settling in...now I have to tote all of this stuff everywhere. |
I know you're emotional but just relax. When I got here the same thing happened. Koreans don't plan until the very last possible second, get used to this. THEY will pay for your hotel, not you. It sucks carrying your stuff, but just relax a bit and enjoy the new sights and smells. You'll get your new place soon. |
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SeoulShakin
Joined: 05 Jan 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 4:28 pm Post subject: |
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If he's putting you in a hotel, he should be paying for it. You tell him that. Not your fault he got you here early. He pays. Be firm, but not rude about it. Explain that you weren't aware of this situation with the hotel, and you did not plan for it in your budget. He is responsible for your accomodation, so you expect him to pay. The end.
It's quite common for people to have to spend a day or two in a hotel, so don't COMPLETELY freak. So long as he's paying for it, relax and enjoy. |
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cruisemonkey
Joined: 04 Jul 2005
Location: Hopefully, the same place as my luggage.
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| Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 4:36 pm Post subject: |
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I assume you're working for a private hogwan.
It's not common... but it's Korea. Relax, get a hotel and try to have it charged to your boss/owner. I can almost guarantee it won't work, but try. This sets up the working relationship - save the reciept and bug him for it. In the end, he'll probably 'pay up' if he decides your valuable.
When I arrived for my current position my handler/co-teacher didn't where my apartment was (or when I cold move in). 
Last edited by cruisemonkey on Fri Oct 12, 2007 4:50 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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htrain
Joined: 24 May 2007
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| Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 4:39 pm Post subject: |
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| cruisemonkey wrote: |
| It's not common... but it's Korea. Relax, get a hotel and try to have it charged to your boss. I can almost guarantee it won't work, but save the reciept and bug him for it. In the end, he'll probably 'pay up' if he decides your valuable. |
If you know any Korean pretend you don't. He'll have to come over and check into the hotel for you, especially since you're headed to BFE. At this point you can remind him that you don't have any won, you're hungry, and you don't know Korean, and he'll pay for it. |
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cruisemonkey
Joined: 04 Jul 2005
Location: Hopefully, the same place as my luggage.
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| Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 4:58 pm Post subject: |
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| htrain wrote: |
| ... , especially since you're headed to BFE. |
What/where the hell is BFE? |
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Funky Chunk
Joined: 29 Sep 2007
Location: Haebangchon, Seoul
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| Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 5:18 pm Post subject: |
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| cruisemonkey wrote: |
| htrain wrote: |
| ... , especially since you're headed to BFE. |
What/where the hell is BFE? |
BFE = Bum F**k Egypt -- another way of saying that a person is out in the middle of nowhere |
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cruisemonkey
Joined: 04 Jul 2005
Location: Hopefully, the same place as my luggage.
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| Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 5:31 pm Post subject: |
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| LOL... I spent two years in BFE - Changnyeong. |
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kentucker4
Joined: 03 Sep 2007
Location: Georgia
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| Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 5:59 pm Post subject: |
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So Ulsan is really small??? That sucks..I really wanted to go to Busan. I am confused why my boss wants me to fly to Ulsan when he says that my school and apartment are only 25-30 minutes away from Pusan University. I think maybe he is flying me to Ulsan because he lives close to there and he is picking me up from the airport. I dunno...I am really confused right now.
So far this place is very interesting to say the least. Everything seems like a mini adventure even though I am just stuck at the airport right now. Also, I have noticed something about the Korean girls. Most of them are indifferent to me but some of them seem to take a curiosity in the fact that I am an American. The really nice ones seem conservative and smile a lot..almost a shyness or something. The ones who are indifferennt obviously come off as cold. I met a super nice elderly business man who gave me a free ride to a hotel after the airport kicked me out last night. He even loaded up my luggage for me and everything. I was speechless. |
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Funky Chunk
Joined: 29 Sep 2007
Location: Haebangchon, Seoul
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| Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 6:13 pm Post subject: |
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That guy definitely won't be the last nice guy you meet. Despite what some site users say, there are some very friendly people in Korea who are not looking for anything at all from you. Now don't get me wrong, there are some definite jerks too, but I found that the ratio is the same as you'd encounter in the northern part of the US. For whatever reason, cab drivers always seemed to be particularly nice to me, as were the elderly people in my neighborhood (Youngdeungpo). I think the trick is to not take disinterest as dislike. Put out positive vibes and you'll most likely get positive back. If you don't, screw 'em, they may just be a wad in general, and chances are, it's their loss.  |
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kentucker4
Joined: 03 Sep 2007
Location: Georgia
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| Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 6:31 pm Post subject: |
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| Funky Chunk wrote: |
| That guy definitely won't be the last nice guy you meet. Despite what some site users say, there are some very friendly people in Korea who are not looking for anything at all from you. Now don't get me wrong, there are some definite jerks too, but I found that the ratio is the same as you'd encounter in the northern part of the US. For whatever reason, cab drivers always seemed to be particularly nice to me, as were the elderly people in my neighborhood (Youngdeungpo). I think the trick is to not take disinterest as dislike. Put out positive vibes and you'll most likely get positive back. If you don't, screw 'em, they may just be a wad in general, and chances are, it's their loss. |
Yes, I agree, except for my limited experiences with taxi drivers. Last night, one tried to charge me 70,000 won for a bus ride to Gimpo Airport when there was a bus right beside him charging only 5,000 won! I( almost got suckered and gave in as I was desperate to try and catch my flight, and didn't know how much the bus was at that moment. But then I said 70 bucks..no freakin way..that's a whole weekend of going out and caught the Bus for the same trip saving me 65,000 won. Then a couple of hours later when I was booted from the airport, I asked two taxi drivers at like 2 in the morning for a ride while I had all of my luggage with me. They said a bunch of jibberish to me in English...not really adressing my question with frustrated looks on their faces, then they got this weird look on their faces and spoke Korean to themselves while both eying my luggage and lughing. Then they started looking around the streets for any activity while frequently looking back at my luggage and one made a remark in Korean to me with this weird smile..didn't give me the good intentions vibe. This was 2 something in the morning and I was just out there pby myself with all of my luggage. I really believe they were thinking about taking my luggage somehow. I know that sounds crazy, but these guys were very shady acting.
On a seperate note, I know I just got here, but I already find myself wanting want to date a Korean girl. I love how the nicer or maybe I should say the more open ones carry themselves. They always smile and seem kind of shy almost to a certain degree. But the idea of setting up a date or hang out with a Korean girl seems kind of daunting because of the language barrier and my phone issues, don't have a phone. Anyone have experience on dating Korean girls? Any advice?
Ha, so far, I really like it here.  |
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The_Eyeball_Kid
Joined: 20 Jun 2007
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| Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 6:47 pm Post subject: |
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Please do report the rest of your experiences and impressions in minute and exacting detail, won't you?
Is this forum serving as your internal monologue or something? |
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Funky Chunk
Joined: 29 Sep 2007
Location: Haebangchon, Seoul
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| Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 6:47 pm Post subject: |
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| Sorry, no advice on dating Korean girls, and since I'm not attracted to Korean guys, I can't give any cultural dating advice either. All of my dating in Korea came in the form of military guys. |
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cruisemonkey
Joined: 04 Jul 2005
Location: Hopefully, the same place as my luggage.
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| Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 6:52 pm Post subject: |
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| kentucker4 wrote: |
| Funky Chunk wrote: |
| That guy definitely won't be the last nice guy you meet. Despite what some site users say, there are some very friendly people in Korea who are not looking for anything at all from you. Now don't get me wrong, there are some definite jerks too, but I found that the ratio is the same as you'd encounter in the northern part of the US. For whatever reason, cab drivers always seemed to be particularly nice to me, as were the elderly people in my neighborhood (Youngdeungpo). I think the trick is to not take disinterest as dislike. Put out positive vibes and you'll most likely get positive back. If you don't, screw 'em, they may just be a wad in general, and chances are, it's their loss. |
Yes, I agree, except for my limited experiences with taxi drivers. Last night, one tried to charge me 70,000 won for a bus ride to Gimpo Airport when there was a bus right beside him charging only 5,000 won! I( almost got suckered and gave in as I was desperate to try and catch my flight, and didn't know how much the bus was at that moment. But then I said 70 bucks..no freakin way..that's a whole weekend of going out and caught the Bus for the same trip saving me 65,000 won. Then a couple of hours later when I was booted from the airport, I asked two taxi drivers at like 2 in the morning for a ride while I had all of my luggage with me. They said a bunch of jibberish to me in English...not really adressing my question with frustrated looks on their faces, then they got this weird look on their faces and spoke Korean to themselves while both eying my luggage and lughing. Then they started looking around the streets for any activity while frequently looking back at my luggage and one made a remark in Korean to me with this weird smile..didn't give me the good intentions vibe. This was 2 something in the morning and I was just out there pby myself with all of my luggage. I really believe they were thinking about taking my luggage somehow. I know that sounds crazy, but these guys were very shady acting.
On a seperate note, I know I just got here, but I already find myself wanting want to date a Korean girl. I love how the nicer or maybe I should say the more open ones carry themselves. They always smile and seem kind of shy almost to a certain degree. But the idea of setting up a date or hang out with a Korean girl seems kind of daunting because of the language barrier and my phone issues, don't have a phone. Anyone have experience on dating Korean girls? Any advice?
Ha, so far, I really like it here. |
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Bibbitybop
Joined: 22 Feb 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 6:52 pm Post subject: |
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| The_Eyeball_Kid wrote: |
Please do report the rest of your experiences and impressions in minute and exacting detail, won't you?
Is this forum serving as your internal monologue or something? |
Since this is a forum about living in Korea, and the OP just got here and knows no one yet, this forum is serving as an internal monologue. It helps the OP with his situation for venting and getting advice, and other newbies may read it later and know the difficulties that arise in Korea. |
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