Korean Job Discussion Forums

rudyflyer · Joined: 26 Feb 2003 Location: pacing the cage

One of the nice things about Korea for us was the lack of Christmas "hype" i.e. decorations, music etc until early December which given how in the US its earlier and earlier was most refreshing...

...until this year Crying or Very sad

In the past 2 weeks we've the major department stores both in Seoul and here in Gwangju,now yesterday in Emart there were decorations etc up and while eating dinner at TGI Fridays we were subject to a barrage of Christmas music.

another bad aspect of American culture that has crept into Korea Crying or Very sad

is this happening anyhere else?

Ody · Joined: 27 Jan 2003 Location: over here

we noticed it too. it's another sign of the slump Korea is in. The economy is crying for a Christmas miracle.

Joe Thanks · Joined: 01 Oct 2003 Location: Dudleyville

mack the knife · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: standing right behind you...

kimcheeking · Guest

In canada stores have christmas decorations out before Halloween is over. Personally I think it would be better if the whole christmas season wouldn't start until around december 1st. three and a half weeks is enough for me.

schwa · Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Yap

Last year the restaurant owner next door put up a string of lights in the little boulevard tree in front of his place christmas eve, took them down again the 26th. Sensible.

katydid · Joined: 02 Feb 2003 Location: Here kitty kitty kitty...

SuperFly · Joined: 09 Jul 2003 Location: In the doghouse

Not trying to hijack the thread, but how many in Korea will attempt to put up a single small or large tree this year or in past years have you?

I never did until the last year when I had a girl roomate. I haven't had a tree up since - till this year. Confused

Joe Thanks · Joined: 01 Oct 2003 Location: Dudleyville

I don't celebrate Christmas. I mean, I give out gifts to friends and family who do, but I expect nothing in return nor do I care if I get anything in return (though I must admit, I always get things, however uncomfortable it is). Ironically I don't mind nor care when people put up decorations for it. I think ittakes small minds to get into a s h i t f i t about it.

There are more serious issues to ponder and get your panties in knots about.

It does say something about western arrogance when people pay more attention to that than the horrible things being done to 3D workers - our waegoogin brethren in South Korea.

So, in that safe, white way complain about the early Christmas decorations.

As Flipper put it (sarcastically) best,

"Isn�t life a blast
It�s just like living in the past
We go downtown to do our shopping
And we live in suburbia
And I say
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
Ho ho ho ho ho ho ho ho
He he he he he he he he
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.."

Think outside of the x-mas box, people.

Korea has you thinking cosmetic.

Joe

jaderedux · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: Lurking outside Seoul

My goodness.....apparently none of us should ever smile, have fun, give all our money to the poor, wear a hair shirt, wail and protest......about all the injustices to the poor and oppressed.

You know what life for a lot of people sucks big time. I do what I can. Give generously when I can, give of my time when possible.

I love Christmas lights....I like the hype sometimes. the only thing I don't care for so much here in Korea is the lack of fake or otherwise good cheer. It seems frequently in the states that sincere or not from Thanksgiving to New Years everyone is alot nicer, more relaxed and easier to deal with. Here it is all the trappings but none of the nice.

Yes we should all be kind and nice and generous all year round but I am not get on my high horse and lecture people for enjoying the season.

Yes, there is a horrible war, and starvation, and human rights violations everywhere but if I think only about this I will go crazy. Sadly I am not Mother Theresa, Ghandi, or MLK. I am just some schmoette trying to eak out a decent living, love, be loved and be happy. I try to lead a moral life be kind, speak out against injustice but I REFUSE TO BE UNHAPPY ALL THE TIME...I REFUSE TO SNEER AT SANTA, THE EASTER BUNNY or for that matter of fact the tooth fairy. If you don't like the commercialism don't "buy" into it. Enjoy the fact that for a few weeks part of the world is lit with pretty lights and ribbon.

I know you all mean well but sometimes such proclamations of "How can you be happy when there.........." Fill in blank with tragedy du jour...Seem a bit self-indulgent. I don't think any of you who make these holier than thou proclamations are giving your salary to the poor. Sharing your housing with homeless people and are on the verge of giving up your job to join the Peace Corps. Me, I just can't do that. Life is too short to be morose, judgemental and unhappy all the time.

But that's just me.

Jade

Okay let the flogging begin!

Ody · Joined: 27 Jan 2003 Location: over here

Nice post Jade. I quite agree.
And I don't think J.T.'s sarcasm is entirely out of sync with your sincerity.

Ody · Joined: 27 Jan 2003 Location: over here

BTW: anyone know where's the best place to buy a big, fluffy, fake x-mas tree (without breaking the bank)?

Joe Thanks · Joined: 01 Oct 2003 Location: Dudleyville

My point is that there's more to whine about than early Christmas lights., NOT there's no reason to smile when "so and so happens".

Reread what I posted. I was saying why complain about something so TRIVIAL when there's real injustice to complain about.

not "don't be happy and enjoy things."

Cheers,

Joe

mack the knife · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: standing right behind you...

What Joe is trying to express, poorly, is "Keep things in perspective, folks".

However, as I mentioned before, EVERY COMPLAINT should be allowed its day in the sun, no matter how trivial. Heck, that's basically the ENGINE driving this board.

weened · Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2003 9:52 pm Post subject:

Well if it's perspective you want... People do have a right to complain about what they perceive as a transgression against their tranquility. I cannot disagree that Iran, NK, HIV Disease in Africa, and mullets are serious heart-wrenching issues. However, is it not also true that the commercialization of a religious holiday speaks troublesome volumes of Western priorities? In addition, is it not also true that the migration of this misplaced sentiment is worrying? I think personal (read domestic) problems are just as important as public (read international) ones. Come on Joe, have you never had a song, any song, annoyingly stuck in your head? Have you then never turned to a friend and said, "I have this stupid furkin' song stuck in my head $#%#$!" This is the worst part about the pervasive "christmas spirit" for me. If you don't quite understand, work in a mall during christmas. The soundtrack will have you pulling your scrote over your head. Give the OP a break.

It sounds like the classic,

"Eat your peas. There are children starving in Africa."
"But I don't like peas."

Yes, there are children starving in Africa but that doesn't change the fact that I don't like peas.