Korean Job Discussion Forums

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

I teach 2 days a week at a boys middle school, so I'm not really in on what's going on with the rest of the staff.

Yesterday after classes were over, some woman from the education office or some other gov't office comes in and calls a special meeting.

I have to stay till 4:30 anyway, so I sit in. The meeting turns out to about sexual harrassment in the workplace. They hand out some forms 99% in Korean and some of the other teachers start snickering. I sit through half an hour of listening to this idiot babling on in Korean. None of the Korean staff seem very interested in what she's saying, so I just keep my head down and try and wait it out.

Then she asks all the teachers to start filling something out on the forms, and they all seem pretty hesitant. The principal keeps making little jokes under his breath, and all the female staff seems really uncomfortable.

Then the woman goes around to make sure the forms are getting filled out right, and out of the blue ....one of the teachers follows her around with a camera, recording the "event" for posterity. WTF?

Next thing I know, the idiot calls me out in front of the staff and asks me some questions in Korean. Blahh blahh, sexual adjustment eduation OK? she asks me. What the f&*( does that mean? Does she want to know if I have had sex-education or if I think it's a good idea or what?

I have no clue what she's on about so I just shrug my shoulders untill she leaves. The other staff were all snickering away while this was going on, and I was on the verge of walking out.

I found this whole thing totally weird, upsetting and the way she singled me out was totally inappropriate, to say the least.

I've never heard of anything like this before, this is my 3rd year in public schools.

Just wondering if anyone else knows what this was about.

Xuanzang · Joined: 10 Apr 2007 Location: Sadang

Should have just walked. I wouldn't have blamed you. Maybe someone at the education saw that episode of Sexy Mong with our fellow teachers portraying would be rapists.

oldfatfarang · Joined: 19 May 2005 Location: On the road to somewhere.

Oh, no. It sounds like you just missed out on your opportunity for the Korean govt. to pay for your gender realignment.

refikaM · Joined: 06 May 2006 Location: Gangwondo

They had those meetings yearly at the MS I taught for 2 years... FTs were never included, fortunately...

jvalmer · Joined: 06 Jun 2003

For the last 3 or so years, I've sat in on those info sessions. It happens during the meetings, so it's really a non-event. Not sure why the lady would single you out though..

gregoriomills · Joined: 02 Mar 2009 Location: Busan, Korea

Holy ****! That's friggin hilarious! To be fair, though, that kinda stuff drives me nutty, as well. When you feel they are somehow belittling you or getting a cheap laugh out of the fact that you don't speak Korean and that they have no idea how to use the word "OK." I wouldn't have blamed you for walking out, and the other teachers probably would have understood your not going in the first place.

However, a quickly responded "몰라요" (I don't know) with a smile would have probably diverted any unwanted attention.

harlowethrombey · Joined: 17 Mar 2009 Location: Seoul

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

That's just it. I don't know that I was accused of anything, I kind of think she was asking if I understood what she was talking about.

Obviously, I understood the general topic, but had no idea what she was asking.

I think she singled me out because she didn't have the nerve to do it to a fellow Korean. I was enraged and at the same time I felt they should be pitied.

How cute, Koreans attempt at political correctness turns into a racist bash against foreign teachers. Rolling Eyes

Who'dathunkit.

Straphanger · Joined: 09 Oct 2008 Location: Chilgok, Korea

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

Easier said than done. I have no place to go in that school other than hang out in the bathroom. The meeting was in the main teachers room, I wasn't even aware that a meeting had been called. I was just sitting at the desk they allow me to use on Thursdays.

The principal picked up a mic and introduced the woman and the next thing I know we are in the middle of a meeting.

I suppose I could have walked out then, but it was either stay or sit in the bathroom for half an hour.

harlowethrombey · Joined: 17 Mar 2009 Location: Seoul

Yes work is always full of surprises. Sometimes that's a good thing and sometimes. . .urm. . .

'See you tomorrow!'
"oh, tomorrow there is no school. did you know?'
"uh, no. No one told me.'

Very Happy

Straphanger · Joined: 09 Oct 2008 Location: Chilgok, Korea

rollo · Joined: 10 May 2006 Location: China

Probably just wanted to include you in the meeting. Avoid those meetings in the future. Racist bash?? Ha ha ha! If you are a white person the closiest that you have ever been to racist bashing is reading about it. I think just cultural clumsiness! I dont blame you for not liking it though. Your best revenge learn Korean!!!

rollo · Joined: 10 May 2006 Location: China

Probably just wanted to include you in the meeting. Avoid those meetings in the future. Racist bash?? Ha ha ha! If you are a white person the closiest that you have ever been to racist bashing is reading about it. I think just cultural clumsiness! I dont blame you for not liking it though. Your best revenge learn Korean!!!

rollo · Joined: 10 May 2006 Location: China

Probably just wanted to include you in the meeting. Avoid those meetings in the future. Racist bash?? Ha ha ha! If you are a white person the closiest that you have ever been to racist bashing is reading about it. I think just cultural clumsiness! I dont blame you for not liking it though. Your best revenge learn Korean!!!