Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Ya-ta Boy]

Recently a new Korean teacher joined our school so he's been asking all the normal get-to-know-you questions. Yesterday was my turn. He asked me about how I feel about living here alone. "Don't you miss your family?"

I've been asked this about a million times and have tried different responses and none of them sound very good.

I've tried: "No, I don't miss them very much except on birthdays and holidays. But that makes me sound cold and unfeeling." (I don't think that is true, but if it is, I don't want to give that impression to someone I just met.)

I've tried: "No, I don't miss them all that much because I'm an adult. I don't need mommy around all the time." But that sounds snotty and condescending.

I've tried: "No, 'alone' doesn't necessarily mean 'lonely'. I have sometimes felt lonely when I was with other people." It's true, but doesn't really answer the question.

I've tried: "Our cultures are different. We are raised from birth with the idea of moving away from home when we are around 18. It doesn't mean our moms don't love us and that we don't love them." But again, I think that sounds cold and uncaring.

I've tried: "Yes, I miss them a lot. I call and write home as often as possible." It's a lie and I don't like to make a habit of telling lies just to sound acceptable.

Do any of you have a good response to: Don't you miss your family?

[Mr. Pink]

"Sure I miss my family, but it isn't like I would see them everyday if I was back home anyways, and with cheap longdistance and email, whats the problem?"

That is how I answer when people ask me that. Think about it, if you don't live in the same city as your parents (I didn't) then how often do you see them? Like birthdays or xmas or thanksgiving if that...so what is the difference if you live over here and go home once a year, or live over there and go home once a year? (Family wise I mean )

[Swiss James]

On my first (three week long) business trip here, someone asked me
"Do you miss your mommy?"

I thought he was having a go at me age, being 22 at the time, but maybe not now I've read that!

[katydid]

It makes me ill when I hear adults talk about their mommy and daddy.

[kangnam mafioso]

just say:
"sure i miss them, but we talk a lot on the phone and through email and i will see them when i go home for the christmas holidays."

[Homer]

Here you go dude:

"heck no! They are dead and buried in my backyard"

[matko]

I knew it!!!!

Homer is a serial killer!!!!!!!!!!

[Swiss James]

Yeah I told the guy that I miss them, especially because I was raised by wolves so can't talk to them on the phone.

[Crois]

Just say they are in Prison. They dont get the Sarcaism.

[HardyandTiny]

The Korean teacher doesn't care about your response. You're supposed to be impressed by their question. They are amazing and so in touch with their emotions. All they ever think about is family and love.

[Homer]

Damn Matko

You sniffed me out man...oh well..cover is blown now...

[seoulmon]

GAWD!

I don't miss my family. When I go back to America it's the same old disfunctionalitites. Plus, our house is a mess. It's really big but we live like white trash (trailor park trash). My dad was from the depression era and he has to save ever last left over. I find bits of moldy chicken in little tupperware containers every time I go home!

You know, another thing struck me when I was back in the US. It was lunch hour, weekday, downtown and I was crossing the middle of the street without looking. No one was there. It was rush hour yet it was a ghoast town. I love all the human energy of Seoul!

...and ANOTHER THING! Everybody in America is scared to death. Sorry, none of you foreigners understands me. I know. I've been to Eng. and Can. and you just don't have the level of fear we have in America. In America, everyone is really to pop a cap in your ass. SERIOUSLY!