Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Halcyom Chimera]

Hello all! I will begin teaching in Ilsan in January. I have a question regarding the lifestyle choices that can be expected of TESL teachers.

Coming from a bachelor's and master's degree in secondary education, I know teachers are constantly under the microscope in their public affairs and appearances. Bars, clubs, etc. are almost impossible to make an appearance at (if local).

I always hear about how people go to bars and such and drink a lot as teachers in S. Korea. Is this considered acceptable? Or is the risk of being called on it or recognized so little because of the densely populated areas? I just know the contract I signed mentioned being able to be fired if caught partaking in any conduct that might stain the reputation of the school. How strictly do they adhere to this?

I am the type of guy that likes to attend bars and the occasional strip club. Are these acceptable? Or is the latter forbidden for teachers?

I know it is all about acting reasonable and keeping a low profile, but what are the chances of being reported and met with administrative action or even expulsion from the position?

Thanks in advance!

[I'm no Picasso]

Drinking is totally acceptable. If you don't believe me, just wait until the first time your Korean coworkers invite you out to a (local) bar after work on a weeknight and watch what then occurs.

I've actually never actually heard of a strip club in Korea. I'm not exactly on top of these things, so to speak, but I think you're more likely to spend your time here in hostess bars, where the ladies will sit beside you, bring you drinks and give you the pleasure of their company, for a small fee.

It would probably be best not to be seen coming out of one of those places by a gaggle of your students. I would save that for the next town over.

[jonpurdy]

Feel free to come here and drink and party as much as you want. Koreans are among the biggest drinkers in the entire world. They drink a lot and do it loudly and publicly. Even though you're a foreigner you can still indulge as much as you want. I avoid discussing drinking in front of my students but they occasionally overhear a conversation or two. They've seen enough movies and dramas where the characters get completely toasted and obnoxious to know it's normal.

As far as your contract goes the statement about damaging the reputation of the school is pretty wishy-washy. It's probably reserved for those who make the news (real news stories, not AES stuff).

Good luck finding a strip club, though. You're much more likely to find yourself in a sexy Norae Bang (or brothel). You can't exactly get in trouble for that though since you'll probably be with a pack of teachers at your school (including the Principal) .

Basically, don't worry about it. Don't do anything you wouldn't do back at home and you're set.

[ReeseDog]

[nomad-ish]

[I'm no Picasso]

[VanIslander]

The drinking culture here is pre-Alcoholics Anonymous, circa 1970s back home, where drinking actually can win you respect more often than lose it, especially if it's soju or makkoli or beer with coworkers. Go to work with a headache, groan, and just say "soju!" and you will be met with a dozen approving smiles. Seriously. Someone will inevitably say, "You are Korean."

Now, partying it up with the opposite sex, ... that's another matter.

[ReeseDog]

[I'm no Picasso]

[jonpurdy]

[kingplaya4]

I think you've encountered some exaggerations on this thread. It's fine to brag about your hangover when everyone went out for a hweshik (kind of a staff dinner/party) but if you were out drinking without the Korean teachers, I think that will just reinforce the negative stereotypes. The only people I've known to be fired in mid-contract here was due to drinking. One guy never showed up to work drunk, but he seemed to always be unshaven, suffering from a hangover, and had little enthusiasm left for teaching. The school was definitely not impressed. I think he lasted like 2 months. Do what you want on the weekends, but I'd take it easy on the week, unless there's a school sanctioned event. If you're the type who does rediculous things when you get drunk, then I'd keep your consumption down then too.

[jonpurdy]

[I'm no Picasso]

[NoSimpleHighway]

Do whatever you want on the weekends as long as its legal. During the week you'll be fine as long as you aren't completely out of it the next day on a regular basis. I've found that your Korean co-workers will be either completely oblivious to your hangover, or will laugh about because they themselves have been in your shoes.

One of my Korean co-teachers lives in my building and often gives me a ride to school in the morning. Last month I noticed he was driving excessively fast and weaving in the morning (even by Korean standards of driving). I asked how he was doing and he told me he had gotten home from a soju night just two hours earlier and was still obviously drunk. The first few classes of the day he just laughed and smiled, but by lunch time he was in the bathroom puking. The Vice Principal walked in, saw his sorry ass, and just started laughing about his soju night. This will be the typical response if you come in hungover occasionally. If you never teach a good lesson though your ass will be on the line. Keep it professional most of the time, but don't be afraid to have fun when out of work.

[sunnata1]

So you want to keep on living the frat boy life?