Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Rock]

Fact is, the majority of people outside of this little sub-culture think negatively of Korea, meaning, the world we're stuck in(not me anymore,) is vastly less mature in their reasoning and senses when it comes to other races, social behaviour, cultural norms and teaching.

Not many people take to Koreans, sorry to say. Though this is not to be negative and racist, it's just the facts. Korea wards off any invitation to foreigners, Whites, Blacks, and Chinese included.

What's the gist of this? Step outside your comfort zone. Korea offers security, and many are co-dependent in this regard. It's like having abusive parents. You're forced to put up with the abuse day after day, until one day you grow up and realize, 'I'm my own person.'

You may be poorer, you may be more insecure. But this is the price you have to pay to be an adult.

A quote from a Chinese woman: :"They're so racist. . .they treated me like I was nothing. . .I really hate Koreans."

Living there, being there, you have to leave there to find out what you've experienced, and why.

[Draz]

Man, what a downer. If you have escaped, why are you still obsessing over it? I like to complain about things. I like to complain a lot. But usually once they are over I stop talking about them. For example I've whined my way through university, crappy jobs, and minor medical problems, and then immediately forgot about all these things as soon as they were over.

What did Korea do to you???

[moosehead]

[lorenchristopher]

I just moved here a couple weeks ago, and maybe I'm speaking too soon....but I'm really sick of this BS attitude about Korea that I've gotten from so many of the expats here. I mean really it can't be that bad living here, life is what you make it.

And I agree with the others, if it was that bad for you then move on and quit complaining. You must be a real drag to be around.

[ED209]

[Brady]

Racism, or perceived racism, totally depends on your location. I worked my first year in a sleepy neighborhood in Bupyeong with a foreign population under 10, and everyone stared, pointed, laughed. This year I'm working in Sangdong, Bucheon. Night and day. There's a ton of hagwons here, and just like any Korean business that thrives next to fifty of its identical twins, you're going to be so much happier around your fellow whiteys. That isn't to say Itaewon, but definitely get yourself in a mixed crowd, especially if you're thin-skinned like myself. Your day-to-day will be that much better, making you that much happier, shading your overall experience that much brighter.

[SirFink]

[mindmetoo]

[littlelisa]

Not every Korean is racist. I have a lot of Korean friends, and they are among the sweetest people I've ever met in my life.

My boss is another story, government policies are too. But my friends are wonderful kindhearted people. Maybe you just haven't found the right circle of friends.

[Ilsanman]

I guess the OP wants us to do what Koreans and some other groups do; go overseas and do as little business with the host country's people and as much business with their own people as possible.

[jlb]

I'd agree with what one of the previous posters said: get some foreign friends who are at least somewhat positive about Korea and surround yourself with them at least a good portion of your "hanging out with people time." I know it keeps me sane.

[eamo]

[cdninkorea]

Every once in a while a thread like this appears, and the OP must think him/herself so clever and insightful for making it.

A while ago, regarding yet another thread about Korean women and how to get them in bed, a witty poster remarked: "sit on the same corner for long enough and you see the same bus come around again and again and again" (paraphrasing).
Rarely have truer words been typed on this board.

[Milwaukiedave]

I think everyone sees and experiences things differently, so generalizations don't work well. Personally I've had both good and bad experiences in my four years here. There are things that Koreans do that drive me nuts (mostly their driving habits, smoking, spiting and throwing trash on the ground). I try not to let things get to me though, but sometimes they do. We all deal with it in different ways.

[Rapacious Mr. Batstove]