Korean Job Discussion Forums

rapier · Joined: 16 Feb 2003

The newby teachers arriving at my school are like innocent lambs to the slaughter: bright eyed and bushy tailed, they walk in the gates full of politeness, pleasantries and laid back approach. Some of them have a good attitude to work, some don't...
As a vet here (2 years), they look to me to protect them and stand up for them against the bewildering and opportunistic slave -driving of the Korean management.
But having already had my run-ins with the boss and supervisor, and arrived at a sort of equilibrium/ stand-off where they know not to abuse me, I'm loathe to join some "foreigner solidarity trade union effort" to protect them.
Why? because
a) nobody ever took me under their wing and looked after me when I arrived. I had months of hell before I figured out the way to handle Koreans.
b) I'm not about to jeopardise my position, the respect I have with the boss, and the improving relations I've worked hard for, for the sake of brand new teachers who get paid the same as me, yet have less experience or qualifications.
c) I fight my own battles..I don't expect someone to help me just because they happen to be white and speak the same language.
d)Any extra work thrust upon them means less work pointed in my direction...

Sound selfish? maybe. But what would you do?

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

You are exactly right. Let people stand or fall on their own. The ones who stand are likely those who would do it anyway. Ditto for the ones that fall.

rapier · Joined: 16 Feb 2003

One of them said to me (in effect, but not these exact words)-"we all have to stand together against the management..if you don't help present a united front, you're the weak link that will sink us".
Sorry, but my concept of racial unity among whites in a foreign land died a long time ago...I just look after number 1 now...

schwa · Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Yap

Thats a tough one. Just because no one helped you learn the ropes doesnt mean you wouldnt have deeply appreciated it at the time. I assume youre kind & helpful about stuff outside the realm of office politics. But I'm also thinking theres a way to share some insights about how the boss operates without compromising your hard-won status quo. Maybe generalized pointers about business & cultural differences, then let the noobs figure it out for themselves from there?

I've helped my share of newcomers settle in. Theres a fine balance between assisting them to become happy & effective coworkers & not giving up your own personal trade secrets. As the established teacher you have a certain mystique to them. Dole out your wisdom selectively & you can still win their trust & gratitude.

[btw youve altered your charming avatar & I'd been trying to decipher the original logo on her shirt -- how did it read?]

schwa · Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Yap

You posted again just before I submitted & wow thats really tough if youre being ostracized by a gang of newbies as some kind of lackey or whatever. Be strong, silent, independent? Sounds like theyre gonna stir up sh!t you want no part of. Best luck.

rapier · Joined: 16 Feb 2003

Schwa: thanks- yep- "strong silent and independent" pretty much sums me up as regards office politics.
I do give them some advice and general info and observations on korean culture as you say...but of course I'm not about to put my own neck on the line to help out some newbies who are having trouble adapting to a new culture.
I've negociated a better position for myself than them because i know (to some extent) what makes Koreans tick...They see me as a wise guy who should be helping them out purely because we happen to be of the same race, basically..

Corky · Joined: 06 Jan 2004

Do unto others ... or something like that. Be patient with them, but firm, like with a new puppy. Maybe tell them that it's very "bad" to yell while talking to the boss. You don't need to explain or justify yourself to anyone. Wait until they start clueing into the finer things in life, like "ethnocentricism". Then it'll be good times.

Juggertha · Joined: 27 May 2003 Location: Anyang, Korea

yeah, i'd give advice but stand up for yourself.. and yourself only. The whole "unity" thing is bull. If they have a opint, back htme up.. if not, let em hang.

Mr. Pink · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Location: China

prairieboy · Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Location: The batcave.

Been there, done that. When I first arrived I didn't have much help other than my room mate always wanting to go out for beer, so I learned quickly how to order a drink in a bar and some snacks. He showed me which bus would get me into Seoul. That's it.

I've tried helping Newbies adjust, giving advice and stepping in to help them out when they were in over their heads. Mostly the advice went in one ear and out the other the two times I tried. Both of those teachers were fired because they did not listen to my advice, so I give up.

I'll tell them where they can go for food or drinks, help them out with that but otherwise, they are on their own. I will only step in now when it's something I know I can win with them. But I look out for myself first. If it's not in my best interest then I'm not sticking out my neck.

Cheers

Crois · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2004 6:09 am Post subject:

Depends what experience you have had really. My flatmate was here before me and she left. Had the wrong attitude apparently. Dont want it to happen to my new flatmate. Look Newbies are all different. Let them go out for themselves sometimes. If you aint honest and tactful you aint very much help.

With an an attitude likr not being able to put up with newbies, what is going to happen when all your friends go home? You are gonna have to make friends or socialise with them sometimes.

osangrl · Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Location: osan

i usually take a newbie under my wing....show them around, offer teaching advice, introduce them to people....

but i wouldn't fight their management battles, offer advice and guidance on it, but make them stand up for themselves.

Squid · Joined: 25 Jul 2003 Location: Sunny Anyang

If someone asks my advice I give it freely, and as the years have progressed, perhaps more honestly (often to my cost).
I'm not selfish like Mr. Bitter and Twisted OP and have met too many whom are... by the same token I've met plenty more, usually from the US for some reason, who seem a bit too eager to shove their viewpoint down my throat.
Advice, you want it, you got it- but don't blame me if you don't like it.

Shincheon_Blues · Joined: 16 Dec 2003

rapier · Joined: 16 Feb 2003

Yeah i guess that I allow each person to make their own mistakes..When i first arrived at this school the old hand here was too keen to tell me the whole set up, what I should be thinking and doing as regards management, and orchestrate me into his "union" of foreigners here...needless to say I told him where to get off.The rift has lasted a couple of months until he left to go back home last week.Besides, I've been in K 2 years now, and I speak better korean than he did...
I think a lot of eslers choose the easy option and fall quickly into an "us vs them" conflict scenario- as i say, i like to see people as individuals regardless of they being korean or waeguk- and I see both sides a little more clearly now.
Like Osangirl, I 'll do the basics for a newbie but I'm certainly not going to jeopardise my position in any way as far as helping them out is concerned.
Its funny how many waeguks regard themselves as experts on korea after a year, and each speaks a different brand of Korean..hilarious!