Korean Job Discussion Forums

[michaelambling]

I have been an expat for 7 years, living in various countries in Europe. Almost everywhere I've gone, I've met expats who complain about the country they're in. The food is bad, the weather is bad, the people are rude, they smell, they're stupid, etc.

Sometimes these observations are valid, but sometimes they're gripes from a fish out of water. It's particularly difficult when you're new to a country and your image of the place is influenced by the people around you. Everyone bitches about a place, so you start to see the bad and bitch about it too.

I haven't been to Korea yet, and some of the complaints--particularly about teaching conditions and the unfair legal system--are valid causes for concern. But many of the things I've read about are all too familiar--they're just symptoms of Expat Misery Syndrome.

[victorology]

I also think someone who is unhappy in a place is more likely to try to vent it out on an Internet forum. The vast majority of expats I meet in person seem to enjoy Korea and that seems like the complete opposite from this forum.

[marlow]

Better than rose-colored glasses. It depends on how much time this disease takes, as well. Ten minutes of bitching per day is healthy.

Most of my daily complaining is about an incompetent workplace anyway. I love most of the culture and the food and my family and friends.

[jkelly80]

It's human nature to vent when things are bad, and not as much when things are good.

That being said, Korean managerial-types have be some of the worst in the OECD.

[Chet Wautlands]

From my experience, most foreigners here in Korea like Korea a lot. They like the food, they don't mind the job, and they often consider coming back.

There is a lot of complaining on this forum, but it's mostly by the same few people. Write their names down... I'm sure a few are already coming to mind.

Korea's not paradise, but where is?

[Thewhiteyalbum]

Sorry, but this has to be the only place where I started counting down the days to leave 3 months after I got here. I have lived in many many countries and loved living in every one of them. Except this one. I don't expect much sympathy, I'm just putting forward my perspective.

[RACETRAITOR]

[esetters21]

[Panda]

Another reason behind this symdrome is, let me call it----homogeneity phobia. You are you, dont want to be converted to anyone else. Complaining is a way to embolden yourself.

But the fact is most people accept and some even finally love Kimchi after they complain how disgusting it is ( time is awesome to change everything).

I read more and more blogs and articles complaining how they cant get used to life back home now after they spend time in Korea.



No worry too much about the symdrome~!

[Panda]

[I'm no Picasso]

I think this is pretty straight forward, actually.

First, you have the things that just actually suck about any given place, which can be hard to get over when you have something else to compare it to (home).

Then you have the stress of every little thing being new, language barriers, adjusting, etc. etc.

But the biggest culprit, I think, is the tendency to classify every bad thing as being the fault of the fact that you're living in _________/alongside ________ people. It's easy to forget that some days and people downright sucked at home, and forget that it's completely normal to have a sh*tty day every now and then, and run into assh*les from time to time, no matter where you are.

We all have I Hate Korea days. It's fine. And I think it's nice to be able to vent to other people who understand, because then it's easier to just get the hell over it and get back to life. I think living in a different place takes a certain amount of constant attitude adjustment -- it's the people who refuse to do that adjusting that end up ruining their own time here, and frustrating everyone who crosses their paths.

And then, SK just doesn't do it for some people, yet they're tied to a contract. But that's a whole other ballgame.

[Whitey Otez]

[Ultimo Hombre]

[travelingfool]

There is a reason western countries have warnings about teaching English in Korea. I don't have any concrete statistics to back this up but I have heard that the average stay for FT's in Korea is 4 months. Just look at the job board on this website. Either TEFL in Korea is growing at an insane rate or there is one hell of a turnover. While it's true that expats piss and moan about the countries they find themselves in, nothing comes close to Korea in terms of its notorious reputation for corruption and screwing over of teachers. Without going into details, I got shafted twice in that country. The E2 situation is inherently unfair and totally favors the employer rather than employee. Not getting paid, getting screwed out of health insurance and pension, deducting higher taxes than necessary and pocketing the money, the list goes on and on. Those are valid and legitimate complaints. Now if someone complains about the smell of kimchi, well yeah, that is a bit petty.

[moosehead]