Korean Job Discussion Forums

VanIslander · Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 6:10 pm Post subject: How cynical are you?

I have often been called "optimistic" and even "naive" but on some subjects I've been quite the opposite:

I knew at the wedding that Prince Charles' marriage to a much younger Lady Di wasn't going to work. Most poo-pooed the idea.

I knew before the Seoul Olympics that 100-metre sprinter Ben Johnson was on steroids just by looking at him. Many said I was just being jealous.

I "know" before the 2008 U.S. presidental election that Rudy Giuliani will be the next American president.

I suddenly put these together and see myself as a bit cynical.

How about you?

flakfizer · Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 6:36 pm Post subject:

WHy vote? Nothing's going to change and you can't trust that people will vote honestly anyway.

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

I have too much life experience if thats possible. I've seen too much crap, and been the centre of too much of it as well. I've never let myself become completely bitter and cynical but I'm treading a fine line these days.

When I meet someone who has no life experience I view them in pretty much the same way as veterans view first year teachers (myself included) in Korea on this forum. You sure get a lot of life experience fast here, so I can see why that is. Its a lot harder to get it back home.

I think if I'm here for a long time and then go back home, I'll find it hard to relate to most people. I'm sure the same thing happens to most people who are here for awhile, if they even stay for long enough.

pastis · Joined: 20 Jun 2006

Cynicism = (depressive) realism. I can't take seriously anyone who's not at least somewhat cynical.

MANDRL · Joined: 13 Oct 2006 Location: South Korea

Life's too short to be pissed off and cynical at things. Everyone has stuff happen to them, you just gotta embrace whatever is thrown your way.

Kimchi Cowboy · Joined: 17 Sep 2006

Bramble · Joined: 26 Jan 2007 Location: National treasures need homes

I was skeptical of Dr. Hwang's "discoveries," but not nearly as skeptical as I should have been (considering how things turned out).

Qinella · Joined: 25 Feb 2005 Location: the crib

pest2 · Joined: 01 Jun 2005 Location: Vancouver, Canada

peppermint · Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2007 12:18 am Post subject:

I tend to brace myself for the worst, but still hope for the best. Not sure where that puts me on the scale though

cbclark4 · Joined: 20 Aug 2006 Location: Masan

I'm too old to be optimistic.

tzechuk · Joined: 20 Dec 2004

I am not very cynical. I'd like to give things the benefit of the doubt first.

SuperHero · Joined: 10 Dec 2003 Location: Superhero Hideout

esetters21 · Joined: 30 Apr 2006 Location: Seoul

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

I'm going to refrain and say that while I do have moments of sheer cynicism (now especially given what just happened), I'm generally a more optimistic than pessimistic person. I'm actually very optimistic about some things.

I don't think too much cynicism is healthy. People who are cynical all the time are boring, and downers (not that really optimistic people can't be annoying). For those who argue that it's more "realistic", I implore you to think what the world would be like if everyone was cynical and vice versa. Which is better?

Cynicism... whatever, people need to learn to be balanced.