Korean Job Discussion Forums

[rapier]

What makes international inter-teacher relations even poorer is when your average waegook whines constantly or gets all angry at having to do something which korean teachers have to do as standard- such as helping at the speech day/ making lanterns for halloween, or appearing in a photo with a kid on his birthday.
Even if it wasn't in your contract, you can still help do small gestures like that... I mean it doesn't hurt that much....

[busan_boy2000]

So treat people with the same courtesy and respect here as one would at home. Ok, Ill get slammed for that - as this is not home after all. But it seems to me like be polite and friendly whever you work or live is always a good mantra.

Good point though about the english thing. I forget that even though they are english teachers the Koreans are likely embarassed about thier speaking ability. Something that still bugs me - as what about my Korean and French (at home)? I still try and sound like an idiot 99% of the time.

And I totally agree that little things like helping the Korean teachers, even if not in contract, is just common courtesy. make the lanterns or be in a picture....a little goes a long way.

[crazylemongirl]

[kiwiboy_nz_99]

The Korean teachers are all female, yes? At any rate I've never seen a Korean male in that feild. I had frosty relations with the k teachers and especially the secretary at first. I found that coming in with small gifts such as candy on a regular basis slowly got things on the right foot. It's amazing how into gifts the Koreans are, and it doesn't have to be expensive, it's about the fact that you thought of them. I would note that it's especially important to get the secratary on your side, she often subtley controls the whole vibe on the k teachers. If she likes you, they all will in the end. Gifts!

The I would also go to them with little questions about my Korean study and they really respect that too.

[Corporal]

[rapier]

I've finally given up today!!! No more Mr Charming nice guy from Rapier in the workplace ....they can sc**w themselves. Putting in effort to impress, forge good relations with, help, be friendly and cool towards korean co workers is a waste of time.
They are miserable, snivelling, sycophantic, devious gossiping backbiters on personal power trips who wouldn't know genuine efforts to bridge the racial divide if it hit them in their rice- munching teeth.
Example: i am aaaallwayss the first to greet and say hello: sometimes its not even acknowledged. I buy food and put it out for people to eat in the work place. Reciprocated? I don't think so...
They are the most sullen, stiff, hung up people I've met on my worldwide travels...from now on it'll just be me and the other waegooks fighting our corner...
there's no point trying to see things their way... they prefer you as one of the opposition, than an easy-going workmate.

[crazylemongirl]

rapier,
that sucks. How many more days left in the contract?

CLG

[rapier]

CLG: Uhh, 9 months...! yeah what bothers me is that you can't relax around them. the head teacher one is a jumped-up b***ch who will unexpectedly pull some unwanted surprise or harrasment out the box: she's little more than the wonjangnims instrument of torture. Another is a miserable wench who fancies herself as the best professional teacher No.1, and tries to make everyone else look bad; another is a two-faced, hot and cold vixen; and so on....
When it comes down to it, they'll all side with their own, no matter how confiding or whatever effort you make....

[Len8]

Could be a money issue. I've often met Korean teachers who are jealous, because they don't make as much money as the Waeguks. Tell them you earn W1,000,000 a month( It's a lie of course) ,but it might mellow them.

[Mr. Pink]

[rapier]

Mr pink: exactly right- no korean female can keep a secret, and they know virtually every detail of our lives- they remain tight-lipped by comparison...
A lot of them prefer to hang onto their precious small minded politics and ways- impervious to efforts at friendship, a lot of them..wether its shyness or nervousness at their lack of english i don't know, but thats how they come across.
I want to see everyone as individuals, but they definitely, ultimately stick with their own. No matter the favors/ confidence you give a Korean, they will always side with the boss or with eachother when it comes down to it...
Dissapointing, because I definitely went out on a limb for one or two of them..

[crazylemongirl]

oh well rapier. It could be worse, you could be the lone waygook there.

clg

[Homer]

Rapier,

As far as the korean female co-worker and "siding with the boss" did you consider the fact that they might do that sometimes because many of us wae-guks are only there for a year and look for short term fixes and or benefits and do not think long term at all.

In such a case why side with the temp.?

Having worked at the same school for a few years I can honestlty say that now we have formed professional as well as personal relationships and that we can help out each other and take initiatives to imporve the school.
Why? Because my co-workers can see that this can be followed up.

At my first school what you mentionned would happen. One of your teachers was constantly complaining and confronting the boss. This guy had been at 4 different schools in 4 years. The korean staff would not go on a limb for him because they knew perfectly well he was only after improving his personal situation with little thought as to the long term effect this might have on the staff.

Its a different ballgame for most of them as they are at their particular school for a long time (or at least want to be) and most wae-guks are only there for a year (sometimes less when they run). This leads to different mindsets and goals.
Heck I would not invest myself for a person that will be there for just a year and is just trying to better his or her personal situation.
If they get cheated thats different, but unfortunately, most of the time its not the case...

[some waygug-in]

I don't know, where I worked I really didn't have that problem........
Well, maybe a bit when I first started, the head Korean teacher was a bit of a pushy know-it-all b**ch, but I always just smiled and did as I was told.

Things just worked themselves out from there. The boss was really hard to deal with so the Korean staff kept changing every month or 2. I guess that's one benefit of having a really crappy wonjangnim. Pretty soon, all the real nasty people were gone and all the new teachers were great.

The best thing I can think to say is that if it was me, I would keep my head down, do my job, smile as often as possible, and just don't worry about them. Try to keep busy with prep work and figuring out new activities etc. , that way they won't have any reason to get on your case.

Just remember, we can leave if we want to, they were born into this.

I really feel sorry for most of them.

Merry Christmas

[Mr. Pink]