Korean Job Discussion Forums

[hamlet712]

I have spent many weeks trying to retort to the many people who either HATE Korea, or who simply feel superior to Koreans ( and someties to those who are simply venting about their bad situations, but I waned to start a thread saying what it is that I enjoy about Korea.

Clearly some trolls will come on and spout of what they hate and how terrible it is here, but I am hoping to get more comments from those that love this country and came here for more than the paycheck.

Here are some of the things I love about the country

1) they have a very efficient public transportation system that gets you around fairly quickly in most cases and at a decent cost.

2) there is a major night life here you dont get in many towns

3) nearly anything is quite accessable

4) Many of the people are very friendly, will say Hello to you in English.

5) you can get very decent food at a very decent price, a big variety of things and all of th street vendors

6) they are not an overly capitalistic culture. Many of the things are half of what youd spend in America or Canada.

7) If you actually do a bit of research and look into a job befoe you sign a contract MANY of the jobs are quite good and pay you a very good salary. (even WITH the drop in the american dollar)( I am a Canadian so my money is not taking that big of a loss.)

I know I am lucky to have had good decent bosses, I also realize that some people have had bad experiences here.

Wy wife is Korean, and she is the nicest kindest woman I have ever met. Despite what many people think about Koreans she was raised this way and every one in her family is this way.

Korea is a country that has a lot of respectful traditions and most people are raised to be respectful in everyday situations. Korea is not a "rude" culture but apparently when people see the less refined guys spitting and shoving people, or being rude in general this translates to the fact that Koreans are rude.

So, what do you guys like about Korea?

[laogaiguk]

I liked a lot of things about Korea, including the things you said. Having said that, Korean culture is rude, and not just by my Western standards either. To pretend otherwise is actually harmful to Korea.

[coffeeandmilk]

I agree wholeheartedly. My wife(who is Thai) and I love being in Korea. We live in Jeollanamdo province in a small rural town.

I will, however, also agree with the above post and say in general Korean people as a nation are quite rude, even by Asian standards. When you get to know a few on a personal level, things change and you get to see the softer and kinder side. Even my Korean co-teachers acknowledge that the nationalism here borders on fanaticism and needs to be curbed and altered for the people to truly thrive. That would be the part where failing to recognize the problem threatens Korea. There is no harm in feeling pride, but too many take it way too far.

[hamlet712]

[i4NI]

[Css]

The thing that I like most about korea is the almost absolute feeling of security and safety I have at nearly all times..

[jkelly80]

Korea is not a rude country per se, but it's rude given its level of affluence. Too much, too quick.

[hamlet712]

[hamlet712]

[pidgin]

I second the safety aspect mentioned above. Crime stats are so incredibly low here, therefore the cops aren't in your face everywhere you go.

I like the changing seasons these days. I ended nearly a decade without Winter, not too long ago.

I like the food availability (like the OP). I know an affordable Thai place nearby, Vietnamese, decent enough Mexican, Italian...a good steak, etc..etc...

My bills are reasonable enough. Online shopping (korean) is awesome for just about anything.

Koreans appear rude to many because often they just don't give a hoot about strangers (excepting the elderly and very young). Once you establish a relationship, often they'll bend over backwards to make you comfortable or help you if needed, imo.

[pidgin]

[Ekaia]

This is my first week in Seoul. So far so good!

[coffeeandmilk]

[MrRogers]

Css wrote:

[Join Me]

Overall, I love Korea. Like anyone I have my days and I have to remind myself that every Korean is an individual. My current director may be a total psycho but that doesn't mean every Korean is...my last one was great.

I still get irritated when some adjuma tries to jump in front of me in line (I don't like to be forced to shove women aside). That said, I was absolutely breathless when I went to E-Mart today. I haven't shopped for food there for almost a year and when I went downstairs there was a single file line of close to 100 Koreans waiting to get something. I guess the public service commercials they run on TV about waiting your turn in line are getting through to the masses.