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conbon78
Joined: 05 Jun 2008
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 Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 4:17 pm Post subject: Common Courtesy |
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I know many people have already commented on the manners or lack there of here, but I just walked into work and I'm annoyed. First, today is my birthday, but of course none of them know or care, which is fine. Second, yesterday I returned from Guam...my flight was from 3:30am - 7:15am, so I strolled into work on no sleep. No one noticed my tan, asked me where I went (I had a suitcase) or anything. Today, I walk in and the first thing someone said to me was "You look tired." Really? Because I was actually tired yesterday and today I had plenty of sleep.
What's with these people? Don't they get it.
Sorry - just annoyed this morning. Shocking. I think I should go back to Guam. |
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BoholDiver
Joined: 03 Oct 2009
Location: Canada
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| Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 4:20 pm Post subject: |
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| Did you tell anyone that you were travelling? |
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conbon78
Joined: 05 Jun 2008
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| Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 4:25 pm Post subject: travel |
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Nope, but I'm much tanner than I was on Friday and considering the weather outside, it couldn't have happened here.
It's really not a big deal that they didn't comment on my travel. Its the constant "you look tired" - geez...its so rude!! |
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Rusty Shackleford
Joined: 08 May 2008
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| Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 4:30 pm Post subject: |
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| Haha, nice vent. Relax guy. People are jerks every where. |
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soakitincider
Joined: 19 Oct 2009
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| Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 4:31 pm Post subject: |
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| You're kiddin', right? |
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smartwentcrazy
Joined: 26 Feb 2009
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| Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 4:37 pm Post subject: Re: Common Courtesy |
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| conbon78 wrote: |
I know many people have already commented on the manners or lack there of here, but I just walked into work and I'm annoyed. First, today is my birthday, but of course none of them know or care, which is fine. Second, yesterday I returned from Guam...my flight was from 3:30am - 7:15am, so I strolled into work on no sleep. No one noticed my tan, asked me where I went (I had a suitcase) or anything. Today, I walk in and the first thing someone said to me was "You look tired." Really? Because I was actually tired yesterday and today I had plenty of sleep.
What's with these people? Don't they get it.
Sorry - just annoyed this morning. Shocking. I think I should go back to Guam. |
I get the birthday thing... Did you ever mention when your birthday was? Maybe they simply didn't know. Also, I think you may be overreacting just a bit with the whole 'tan' and 'you look tired' incident. If you're going to let insignificant things like this bug you, I would suggest taking a step back and try enjoying the simpler things in life. I would hate to imagine how annoyed you get with more pressing issues.
PS: Rude co-workers are not limited to Korea. Try to take everything in perspective next time. |
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shamham
Joined: 29 Jul 2009
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| Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 4:43 pm Post subject: |
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| soakitincider wrote: |
| You're kiddin', right? |
I agree with this sentiment.
When (once upon a time and long ago) I worked in a US corporation, it was about the same. Heads down in our cubicles, watching the clock for closing time. I neither knew nor cared about the birthdays of my co-workers, and the sentiment was reciprocated. No one wanted to give up their lunch hour to celebrate the birthday of a total stranger they'd never see outside of work.
Now it's true, that soulless environment is also what drove me to working for myself, but the point remains - I don't think what you're experiencing is abnormal and it's certainly not uniquely Korean. |
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Janny
Joined: 02 Jul 2008
Location: all over the place
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| Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 5:36 pm Post subject: |
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I'm not sure how long you've been here. In this case, you are probably really missing a sense of family or support. And that's part of the challenge of being a foreigner.
Go ahead and vent, that's what we all gotta do sometimes. And remember there is very little "common courtesy" in Korea. Just observe closely how Korean people treat each other. It boils down to a lack of respect for the individual, on many levels.
Get used to it. Get some coping strategies. Mine? Do your job, get a circle of close friends who understand you, and make plans (Japan for the weekend? Rent a bike? Explore Dongdaemun? Volunteer at an animal shelter? Get addicted to a computer game? Find a recipe, find the ingredients and do it?) Sometimes I like to get on a bus and just ride it to wherever it goes (I live in Seoul mind you). You can always find a subway station back to home.
The point is...don't lose sight of who YOU are: a person who respects others and has an open mind. Korean people for the most part are NOT like that, so you must keep yourself safe from this insipid...depressing...takedown, which might happen if you let yourself get bitter about birthdays and missed "my tan!" comments. |
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I'm no Picasso
Joined: 28 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 5:40 pm Post subject: |
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| They're your coworkers, not your girlfriend.... |
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shamham
Joined: 29 Jul 2009
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| Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 5:41 pm Post subject: |
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| Janny wrote: |
I'm not sure how long you've been here. In this case, you are probably really missing a sense of family or support. And that's part of the challenge of being a foreigner.
Go ahead and vent, that's what we all gotta do sometimes. And remember there is very little "common courtesy" in Korea. Just observe closely how Korean people treat each other. It boils down to a lack of respect for the individual, on many levels.
Get used to it. Get some coping strategies. Mine? Do your job, get a circle of close friends who understand you, and make plans (Japan for the weekend? Rent a bike? Explore Dongdaemun? Volunteer at an animal shelter? Get addicted to a computer game? Find a recipe, find the ingredients and do it?) Sometimes I like to get on a bus and just ride it to wherever it goes (I live in Seoul mind you). You can always find a subway station back to home.
The point is...don't lose sight of who YOU are: a person who respects others and has an open mind. Korean people for the most part are NOT like that, so you must keep yourself safe from this insipid...depressing...takedown, which might happen if you let yourself get bitter about birthdays and missed "my tan!" comments. |
Far from being an apologist but the above bolded type is going a little far, IMO. Unless you personally know 'most' of the Korean people in Korea, of course, in which case I humbly apologize. |
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shamham
Joined: 29 Jul 2009
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| Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 5:42 pm Post subject: |
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| I'm no Picasso wrote: |
| They're your coworkers, not your girlfriend.... |
An excellent summation of the facts. |
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newteacher
Joined: 31 May 2007
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| Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 5:58 pm Post subject: |
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| pay attention to me, me, me. my life revolves around me, and so should yours. |
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Janny
Joined: 02 Jul 2008
Location: all over the place
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| Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 5:59 pm Post subject: |
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Shamham:
I've been in Korea for 7 years. I'm making a generalization based on many, many, many interactions with Korean people. I'm talking about MY observations based on seeing / talking to Koreans on the street in daily life, working closely with Koreans at my school, hanging out with Korean friends, and having a short-lived relationship with a Korean guy.
Answer this question: Do you consider Korean people 1) respectful to others around them; and 2) open-minded?
I sure don't. And that's my opinion, formed over a long period. And I have given Korea a good chance to show me some open-mindedness and respect. I've LOOKED for it, I've PRAYED for it. But...no. None received, unless you count my boss "loving me" because I bring in students and keep his roster up.
I've giving advice based on years of experience as a foreigner in Korea. Seems the OP needed it. What's YOUR purpose here? |
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shamham
Joined: 29 Jul 2009
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| Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 6:07 pm Post subject: |
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| Janny wrote: |
Shamham:
I've been in Korea for 7 years. I'm making a generalization based on many, many, many interactions with Korean people. I'm talking about MY observations based on seeing / talking to Koreans on the street in daily life, working closely with Koreans at my school, hanging out with Korean friends, and having a short-lived relationship with a Korean guy.
Answer this question: Do you consider Korean people 1) respectful to others around them; and 2) open-minded?
I sure don't. And that's my opinion, formed over a long period. And I have given Korea a good chance to show me some open-mindedness and respect. I've LOOKED for it, I've PRAYED for it. But...no. None received, unless you count my boss "loving me" because I bring in students and keep his roster up.
I've giving advice based on years of experience as a foreigner in Korea. Seems the OP needed it. What's YOUR purpose here? |
Same as yours - I'm providing my opinion on the subject. I slam Korea on many points, but when I saw the OP, I felt:
A. It was whiny and making a mountain out of a molehill.
B. That comparing this behavior with some 'basic lack of manners' (common courtesy) endemic to Koreans was inaccurate, given my own experience in working America and on the ground observations of corporate Korea. Don't get me wrong - there are substantial differences - but IMO, not so much in the areas the OP is yapping about. |
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redaxe
Joined: 01 Dec 2008
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| Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 6:09 pm Post subject: Re: Common Courtesy |
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| conbon78 wrote: |
I know many people have already commented on the manners or lack there of here, but I just walked into work and I'm annoyed. First, today is my birthday, but of course none of them know or care, which is fine. Second, yesterday I returned from Guam...my flight was from 3:30am - 7:15am, so I strolled into work on no sleep. No one noticed my tan, asked me where I went (I had a suitcase) or anything. Today, I walk in and the first thing someone said to me was "You look tired." Really? Because I was actually tired yesterday and today I had plenty of sleep.
What's with these people? Don't they get it.
Sorry - just annoyed this morning. Shocking. I think I should go back to Guam. |
The problem is, Guam won't pay you a couple million won a month to teach English. |
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