Korean Job Discussion Forums

[bovinerebel]

I just came from a class where I was doing a little quiz on countries. I finished up with a crossword (it's the end of the exam week) and the students wanted a hint for a question to which the answer was "Japan". I said " It's a country many Koreans don't like".

In unison they cried out "America !".

I was surprised at this response and asked the Korean teacher what that was about. She told me that these days most Koreans hated America and Americans. I knew these was some ant american sentiment in Korea , but I didn't know it was to this degree.

Also last week when I brought up that American beef was going to be imported and that would bring down the price of beef , I got nothing but looks of disgust and fury and was told "We really hate America".

Now I do have a go at American foriegn policy a bit in my classes , and as often as possible have a go at Bush etc .....so perhaps they feel comfortable talking about this to me. Anyone else noticed this trend and can give me some more insight into ?

I'd blame the export of junk american telivision shows and soulless celebrities/pop "artists" personally....but there might be more to it than that.

[PGF]

it's all about the beef thing. pick up a copy of the herald or the jung ang daily. the people who are against the import of US beef are basically young and clueless.

it'll last about two months and then everything will go back to normal with all koreans loving everything american....

[bovinerebel]

[PGF]

Nope. That's all there is to it. It's a fairly recent thing. Trust me; it'll blow over. I recommend you ignore students who slam the US right now. It's just media fueled ignorance...it's temporary.

These people love americans.

[bovinerebel]

[ceesgetdegrees]

Don't let it worry you. Koreans can be quite pathetic at times and it's just sad to see educated people acting like such lemmings, just smile and agree with whatever is the next stupid theory they come up with that glorifies the han race. Leave them to their petty, pitiful hatemongoring and realise that it's a national sport here, he who hates loudest wins.

[bovinerebel]

[crazy_arcade]

Politics have little to no place in the ESL/EFL classroom.

And, also, what a terrible hint you provided for "Japan." The last thing you
should be doing is helping to perpetuate the cycle of hate.

[saw6436]

Sad to say but, for the most part, I've given up actually caring about the opinion(s) of 95% of the Koreans I meet/know.

[bovinerebel]

[Night Ranger]

[bovinerebel]

[ceesgetdegrees]

^^ hahaha...god we sound like a bunch of cynical bastards. Still, it's not like anything thats been said isn't based on reality.

[saw6436]

^^Nothing cynical at all. Just 10 years of dealing with ignorance, xenophobia, inferiority complexes and extreme nationalism have led me to just "give up" on most Koreans I meet here.

I still value some of the people I have met here. But, since changing cities 3 1/2 years ago I havn't met a single new K-friend and I am perfectly content to keep it that way.

[darkcity]

of the various places i've been, people are all too willing to hate on america, especially if you're not 100% patriotic and proud of america yourself.

i've totally detached myself from caring anymore. just sign my paycheck. it's not like i love your country either.