Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Otherside]

Has anyone else had the pleasure of reading the cultural tips at the back of the GEPIK teachers' guides. Most of them are pretty humorous, but today's is a step-up from the usual comments.

"Koreans can easily calculate prices without a calculator but Americans have difficulties even in simple calculations without a cash register or a calculator."

If you have any other pearls of wisdom from the "cultural tips" section, please add them here .

[Countrygirl]

"Western people show exclamation even over trifles. This phenomenon isn't found in oriental culture that appreciates people who control their feeling and taciturn...In western culture, they start a conversation about the weather when they meet someone for the first time: "It's a lovely day, isn't it?" This is referenced to the inclement weather in England. The people who live in an area with nice weather like Korea aren't touched by this kind of thing but Englishmen can be impressed."

When I read this to my daughter she said, "Is that why Korean people talk about food all the time? Because it sucks?"

[ernie]

hahahaha! ^

i have to disagree with the calculator observation, tho... numerous times i've been at the store counter with the correct change in my hand waiting for the cashier to ring up the price... IMO koreans are much more dependent on the calculator, at least in corner stores...

[Cerriowen]

[Otherside]

They are at the back of each section in the Gyeonggi teachers guide.
Elementary school I'm afraid..

Countrygirl, your daughter's comment was brilliant!

Another pearl of wisdom from "cultural tips"

"In regards to perspectives on wearing clothes, people of western societies are usually dressed simply. Westerners tend to focus on practicality instead of trying to follow the fashion trends."

[Aussiekimchi]

http://gepik.ken.go.kr/eng/skin/layout/sub_06/cultural4.asp

There are some gems here also.

#2 : People are usually kind, but sometimes not to African Americans and South-East Asians.

[Scouse Mouse]

I read through this years guides when I was checking out what would be in store for me when I handed in my notice. One part that made me laugh was wittering on about how foreigners alway mispronounce Korea. Apparently we must say Koh-re-ah, and not krree-ah (or some similar spelling was used as an example).

Anyway, it went on to say how disrespectful it was to pronounce the name of a country so badly, and that we should at least take the time to learn how to say it. Fair enough. I pronouce it correctly anyway, and now I can get justifiably pissed when 99% of Koreans say I am from Een-geh-ran-duh!

[KYC]

[Yu_Bum_suk]

One of my favourites is the school principal who, when speaking of North Koreans residing in the South, said 'We should treat them like foreigners but with respect'. There's a Freudian slip that really says it all.

[Cerriowen]

#11 You may be insisted to drink alcohol beyond your capacity.

#28 when you drink alcohol with seniors or older person, you'd better turn your head around...

... and spit up pea soup?


I've also figured out the reason for saying "Have a good meal"...

It's like wishing someone luck before they do something dangerous or stupid.

[ED209]

[Otherside]

Don't know much about number 12, but 23 is a certainty
A girl I used to work with told me about this and whenever we went out I'd always joke about "all the lesbians" in korea.

She also informed me that it was normal for people (who weren't dating) to hold hands (m/f) and that she often walked hand in hand with her brother... I subsequently found out that this is not "normal". ~~

[Easter Clark]

#13. You may be bothered by children and youngsters who want to speak to foreigners, now and then with bad words wich are not intended badly.

This gives your students license to curse in class?! I had a girl today who found out the hard way that saying "F*ck you" to the teacher is not a good idea. Normally I let bad words slide if they're just saying them to be funny, but she was angry because I made her do her worksheet and thought would be "fun" to curse at me directly. Nope!

[that guy]

Aussiekimchi that link is great. I think we need to save it.

[Dodgy Al]

You left off no.31.

31. Koreans are often required by their managers to produce mundane tasks by yesterday, resulting in inferior or inaccurate pieces of work. Whilst this work is often mocked by Americans, the manager is always impressed by the number of words.