Korean Job Discussion Forums

[poeticjustice]

These last few Fridays have been such a pain in the ass.

I'm enrolled in a University Korean course that has a class each Friday at 8:00pm.

However, two weeks ago, my PS told me I needed to go out with them after work on Friday. They told me this ten minutes before we went out. The restaurant and bar thing lasted until 9:00pm, and even though I tried to explain to them that I really needed to be home to go to class, they said that it was extremely important to my principal that I be there.

When I got home, it was too late. I said I'd go next week. But next Friday, same thing happened. About an hour before my shift ended, the principal made a mandatory event out of thin air and said everyone had to go. It was another restaurant, didn't get home until around 10:00pm and decided to email the teacher and explain why I've been absent.

Tonight, lo and behold--same thing! It's teacher's day so we all have to go mountain climbing. I'm not going to get home until midnight. After mountain climibing, we're all going to a restaurant... A + B + C = I'm going to be sitting on the floor, being force-fed soju and beer until midnight.

Normally I don't mind doing stuff in the evenings with my co-teachers. I generally enjoy myself. It's these mandatory events that piss me off, because they never tell me the day before, never give me any time to change plans, and today I'm expected to climb the mountain in my work clothes (tie, dress shirt, work shoes and dress pants) because that's what I normally wear to work and since I didn't know we were climbing today that's what I wore. I'm not allowed to go home and change into suitable, mountain climbing attire and I barely have enough time to type this post detailing my frustrations.

Does anyone else have these sorts of problems?

[Horangi Munshin]

No. That's all you need to say. Maybe No thank you to be polite.

[waynehead]

This is ridiculous. You clearly have an airtight, legitimate excuse for not attending these so called mandatory events. Tell them politely you have work to do, and that you can't go. Then don't go. It's just that easy.

[blade]

[bundangbabo]

Never have these problems - mind you - for the first 8 months I was invited to nothing and then as the start of the new semester came about I was suddenly invited to teachers functions - all of which I politely declined.

By then - I was sure I wasn't going to re-new at the school - it all depends if you want to re-new with the school you are at - if you aren't going to re-new then just tell them politely that you have made other plans.

[poeticjustice]

[halfmanhalfbiscuit]

Get some nuts

[some waygug-in]

I had this same problem my first year in PS. They wanted me to tag along to every dinner/drinking party/tea party etc. Sometimes they even had 2 in a week. I thought I had to go to stay on the good side of the principal. Finally I just said no one day......I thought they were going to surround me and drag me off anyway. They tried their best to "encourage" me to go, but I just stuck to my guns and went home.

They stopped asking after that, and in the second year I only had to go to a few of those things.

I think it's part of a game with them, Let's see if we can drive the waygug-in nuts.

You aren't at my old school in Jang-yu by any chance?

good luck

[poeticjustice]

[cmr]

Whatever about the "cultural events". Once your working hours are done your time is yours and you can do whatever you want.

Put it nicely to your principal that you are making efforts to learn about Korean culture by taking those classes at university (and I guess it's not free). He doesn't own you, so even if he says anything about it, just be polite but firm. When it's time to go, just go. Don't go with them saying you will have to leave early; just go home.

[AgDragon01]

I think you have a legitimate excuse - Plenty of my co-teachers find any excuse they can to get out of going to these things, and many of them are taking classes. They get a free pass, but it's still considered a little negative. In general I tend to go to as many as I can, just for the purposes of mingling and appearing to be a good little drone in the hive mind.

By the way, I sympathize with you - This teacher's day I went to a function at a park with the entire staff - everyone left at 7pm, and I was praising God that it didn't go any later. Until the people who were giving me a ride home decided they'd stop off somewhere for a snack, which ended up being them bitching about work and their kids for 3 HOURS. And not a bottle of soju to dull the pain.....

I certainly understand that to them this is their free time, I just hate being Shanghaied into it.

[yeremy]

Sometimes you have to stand up for yourself politely and say, "No, thank you because I have other plans and I have to ..." Other times, it may be important to go and make the best of it. And yet again, you may want to go. Only you can decide.

I disagree with those that say it means instant non-renewal at the end of your contract. Get real. You do not understand the Korean system. They would love to have you there but they aren't your friends. They are your employer and visa sponsor. Your ability to drink and dance are only a small part of the decision whether to resign or not resign you at the end of your contract. And frankly, your school would prefer that you were a very hard working teacher rather than a hard partying teacher.

I know people who claim that dressing up like you're going for a job interview and buying gifts for your school and co-teacher is also helpful for longetivity at your school. Your best shot at being re-signed is to be dependable, responsible, creative, productive and to get along well with the staff, students and parents. If you're respected by your school, they will respect your decisions regarding the "trips."

I have rarely gone on those trips whether they are at the beginning, in the middle or at the end of a semester. I have not had any problems with doing so in three different jobs in GEPIK and now EPIK and four different principals. In my experience, my schools are more interested in what I do in the classroom and what I can do to help their English programs rather than in my ability to sit cross-legged and party.

[Ilsanman]

Well, he might not like you not going.

But your reason for not going is great. Especially if it's true and they believe you. A lot of us get that line 'Learn Korean culture.' You are actually trying.

[FUBAR]

Use your Korean and go speak with the Principal man to man PRIOR to the dinners and he will understand. Telling him after the dinner is schedule make it seem like you are backing out because you don't like them.

[halfmanhalfbiscuit]

Ok, try this tack. Drink them under the table. You won't get invited again. Then find out-usually the librarian is good-when the next hyesik is and "gatecrash". Their level of discomfort will be most pleasing, believe me.