Korean Job Discussion Forums

[tfunk]

Anybody who has attended high school will recognize that public opinion favors those that keep a level head with the status quo. The enthusiastic student is shot down with disparaging remarks.

Nerd, snob, uptight, 'too serious' are various terms used to describe people who may be sincere about some subject.

With developing personalities (teenagers), it's not cool to give anything but a superficial interest in a subject until they feel a sense of security (which doesn't come from relying on popular opinion). To people with low self esteem, observing people with convictions and being passionate about something is often viewed as arrogant or threatening.

So, what type of pride do you have?

We have:

1. The Intellectual Pride. Reads books and roots for a conversation with people that may have enjoyed, and would like to discuss, similar books.

2. The Money Pride. Idealistic fantasies aside about the non-spiritual aspect of money, money is an indicator of status, purchasing power and affords a greater degree of opportunity. If you've earned your money, double kudos to you.

3. The Travel Pride. Enjoys traveling and comparing experiences with others.

4. The my past was rough snob. Looking for emotional sympathy, one of the prerequisites for a loving relationship.

5. The Pretty Pride. Because Frankenstein doesn't have a job teaching English in Korea. Looks are a merit to be enjoyed and flaunted.

[beercanman]

Interesting. Had a few of the same thoughts myself. I'm not sure we're getting our terms right all the time. Maybe we should try to outline some general trends before getting specific, if that makes any sense. Pride is a complicated thing. Though it may be regarded as an undesirable attribute, sometimes it is praised as well. We are urged to take pride in our appearance, our work, our homes and other things. Yet we also say 'don't be so proud' or 'too proud' as it may be a hindrance. It is not the same as snobbery, as all agree is a loathsome thing. Or vanity, a common force, often latching onto the unsuspecting. Some of these things become well-entrenched habits. Mainly there are various urges to be special, to be exclusive, and to be psychologically secure, though none have ever really been attained because none of them exist. This stops no one from pursuing them, however, breeding endless grief.

That's my general outline.

[Hyeon Een]

You have the stupidest one going, which is "Nationalistic/Patriotic Pride". This is most commonly exhibited by someone who happens to have been born in a certain geographical location, but has never actually done anything at all to benefit their country. I really don't understand taking pride in anything which hasn't been done by oneself.

[beercanman]

Nationalism is poison. It is a despicable thing. It has wrought many harms. It is common all over the world. What is the basis of this sickness? Why is it promoted as a virtue? This is one of the urges. We all want to be somebody. To belong to a group, much larger than one's small self, is thrilling. So we go mad at sports events. We really buy all this crap about where we are born, as if it matters. We're a silly lot. Many deaths and hatreds are the result.

I'm sad. Why is it so hard to realize how dumb all this is? Maybe because the mere description and explanation are not enough. It hits a more serious note, emotional and psychological. It touches upon identity. Now we have issues. They will never be resolved.