Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Summer Wine]

This article is about whether an immigrant needs to integrate or not to their new country. I have two minds about what he has to say because I am also working overseas in anothers country.

Though because I am not an immigrant but rather a a migrant worker I don't feel that this country has to adopt my own countries standards.

Though I do feel that immigrants to my country should try to adopt my own countries standards and also bring in the good and not the bad. I do consider excessive nationalism to be bad.

What do you think?

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/466/story.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10473956

[Hammurabi]

If one wants to emigrate to the US, they must adopt our way of life. To say otherwise is liberal poppycock.

[RACETRAITOR]

And saying we don't have to make any attempt to integrate here is imperialist poppycock.

[renzobenzo1]

Ok here's my take.....

Living as an Asian in New Zealand is a walk in the park compared to being a New Zealander here in Korea.....

In Korea I easily feel second rate. The head-bowing, respect and politeness I show is far greater in contrast to what Asian people exhibit when they come to my country, beyond knowing the language ofcourse.

Asian people in my city make no attempt to interact with foreigners. They keep to their own clans and that's about it.

They even take over entire parts if the city and their are even entire suburbs that are basically 100% Asian occupants.
Beyond the masses of foreigners in Itaweon for example you don't see this here....

Am I saying all this is a bad thing, no, but I sure as hell am a lot more friendly and polite to Asians in my country than what I see around here.

But once again, knowing the language is a huge thing and I have had good experiences with 90% of the people here....

But it's just not the same.....Asian people can be virtually anonymous in my country but we seem to stand out here like a wild giraffe.

[RACETRAITOR]

It's cool that you have alternately lived as a white person in Korea and as an Asian person in New Zealand.

[renzobenzo1]

[mindmetoo]

We don't all live in Itaewon because we live by our schools. And English teachers are a rather special case. Westerners transfered here by their companies might live in much more Western friendly environments.

While Asians who immigrate I have no doubt tend to locate in ethnic neighborhoods, where do their children live when they become adults? The real key is looking at the children. In Canada, the USA, and I'd imagine Australia/NZ, the children of immigrants are far more integrated. No surprise, they couldn't be anything else going to public school. If you look at France. however, the children don't get out of their ethnic enclaves as French culture is highly racist. Having a last name that's not French is pretty much a scarlet letter for life.

"They even take over entire parts "

Take over? Like, gasp, they buy homes? Rent apartments? Start businesses? That's "take over"?

But to the original question, I don't think it really matters, as long as society gives immigrants a chance to integrate. If you give them the chance, their children will without a second thought. I wouldn't expect a 50 year old Korean to make a huge switch. I would be more than delighted if they formed really interesting ethnic areas of town. I don't notice in Toronto a big problem with China Town, Korea Town, Little Italy, Greektown, Little India, etc. They're tourist draws and offer great eats. God forbid these people all be forced to open fried chicken stores.

[faster]

[jvalmer]

[renzobenzo1]

Well I consider taking over, not in a derrogatery sense per se to mean buying ALL the houses in an area, owning the businesses, shops, restaurents and having that area even known as 'Chowick'.

[Homer]

renzo,

Correct me if I am mistaken here but aren't you comparing asian immigrants in NZ to foreign workers in this case English teachers) in Korea?

Don't you feel that this comparison cannot hold water? I mean one group moves to a country permanently and another just works abroad for a short to medium lenght of time....

You cannot really compare the two.

If I missunderstood you, you have my apologies.

[mindmetoo]

[Juregen]

[Tony_Balony]

The issue of "taking-over" is often poo-pooed but it is a real phenomema.

The Mexicans are taking over parts of the US and doing their best to etnically cleanse African Americans and others.

Multiculturalism is a bad idea for dozens of reasons. De-Whiting the US was done on the pretext of being fair to everyone. This concept went to soil immediately after the gates were opened. The Mexicans crashed the US, won't leave, won't allow others in, won't allow for the enforcement of laws that don't benefit them and then provide advantages and help to people from their grouip that they won't give to outsiders.

How is this addressed? Calling attention to this situation and god forbid trying to rectify it is refered to as "racist".

Is this lack of integrity intentional or accidental. It certainly is common.

[Summer Wine]