Korean Job Discussion Forums

[asams]

It's not something that really bothers me, and I never correct, but I have been thinking why certain children say, "안녕 asams" to me instead of the formal "안녕하세요" that they use for the Korean teachers.

What could contribute to this lack of respect?

1. Is it a product of their parents' disrespect for foreigners that has been passed down? I do notice that my children whose parents speak English are the more polite children.

2. Is it because I'm only 23 and that a 10 year difference in age doesn't warrant respect? But then again I thought that even someone who was a year older than you was supposed to be addressed with the proper respect.

[detourne_me]

probably because you're young.
also, why are they speaking Korean to you? Get them to say "Whatsup?" or "Hey, M'man!"

[asams]

[I'm no Picasso]

One of my students once greeted me, "Teacher 반가 반가!" and a Korean teacher standing nearby almost took his head off before I even had a chance to react. Also, I saw one of my favorite students with his guitar teacher the other day, and when the student greeted me with a wave and "Hi!", the guitar teacher swatted him in the back of the head and made him bow and greet me fully in Korean. So to answer your question, no, it's not acceptable because of your age. I'm 24.

I've never gotten an "안녕!" off a kid on the street. The few times I've had it off of students, I just look at them and say, "안녕? 선생님이야. 너는 학생이야." Then it's all 죄송합니다 and deep bows. They just don't think you know that's disrespectful and are trying to get a chuckle off their friends I think. If you answer in Korean, or even just say, "안녕?" with a challenging look on your face, they will see that you understand and back down immediately.

[Goku]

I get the sense is because weigooks don't carry the air of respect.

I'm not saying it's specifically you, but generally all the weigookins around me act like clowns, walk like hunchbacks, wear inappropriate clothing and are socially awkward.

I sometimes think to myself, if I were a Korean kid, would I give them respect? Probably not, as a kid, I'm having a hard enough time giving my regular teachers respect, the weigookin would be an easy target to shoot off of. Frankly, if I were a Korean kid, i'd probably be doing shit to the weigook teacher all the time.

It's just how kids are, they are going to single out and disrespect the one who stands out. Although, my own kids treat me ... somewhat respectfully. I don't act like a nutter that's for sure and I keep jokes minimal. Although when they do try to mess with me, I understand them. I don't like it or tolerate it, but I understand where they are coming from because I too was a complete A-hole as a child.

[oskinny1]

[detourne_me]

[oskinny1]

[BoholDiver]

I have 2 reactions to it.

1. I looked around and asked 'Where is your friend?' One student understood. Another needed more hints. I asked again 'Where is your friend? Because 안녕 is what you say to your friends.'

2. I answer them in Japanese.

[I'm no Picasso]

[Bloopity Bloop]

[Hightop]

Once a nice 6th grade student gave me an 안녕 and I pulled her up on it. Now I always get a facetious good morning sir from her. Infact, if they say anything to me in Korean I give them a 야 and tell them to speak English.

[roadwork]

Who the hell cares? Why should you get the same respect as the Korean teachers? Show up, teach, put in your time, go home, collect your paycheck. It's that simple. Everything else can be ignored

[TheUrbanMyth]

[mateomiguel]

I specifically do not want any of my students to use the respectful kind of Korean with me, because the whole absolute-respect-for-authority idea that is behind that whole act is repulsive to me. Also it gets in the way of learning. The only way to be an effective teacher of language is to throw all that crap out so it doesn't get in the way of conversation learning.