Korean Job Discussion Forums

[wylies99]

Last Thing People Want to Hear During Lunar New Year
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2010/02/113_60810.html

The nation's biggest Lunar New Year holiday is a time for family members and extended relatives gather in one place. This is also an occasion for them to exchange greetings and wishes. But a well-intended wish may actually turn out to "hurt the feelings" of others.

Newsen.com on Saturday said there are a few things that people don't want to hear from others during the holiday.

Firstly, one has to be careful in dealing with a woman, who is well-past the "marriageable" age but is still single. The following things are something she definitely doesn't want to hear: "You were cute when you were young" or "Are you seeing someone these days?" or "What is it about you that makes you unable to find someone to marry until now?"

Secondly, those who are in a state of unemployed don't want to hear: "How's your job hunting going?" or "Did you find a job?" or "I heard my neighbor's son was just hired by 'such and such' company."

Thirdly, those who are preparing for the college entrance exam and are naturally under a great deal of stress could be edgy as well. And they don't like to hear: "Which college are you applying for?" or "The exam date is just around the corner. Don't you think you need to study a little bit harder?"

Lastly, what are the things that job hunters want to hear most then? The number one, according to Newsen.com, is the following: "Actually, I hope the holiday passes by with no one mentioning about my job."

So, that means that sometimes speaking less and refraining from indiscreet wishes is actually the best wishes during this holiday period.

[wylies99]

[Old Gil]

Isnt' this supposed to be a 'high context' society? Shouldn't people already know this?

[DorkothyParker]

This could be applied to any family get-together time anywhere. I wonder if the family fights here are as awesome as the doozies back home on X-mas or Thanksgiving.

[jsk]

When I went home last Christmas/New Year's, for me it was "Why are you teaching English in Korea instead of working as an attorney here?" Luckily, I only got that one once.

[ms.catbc]

When i went back home last year i could not find work for the longest time. There were a lot of family events at that time, birthdays, baptisms, house warmings etc etc etc. It was painful to keep answering the same questions over and over again.

relative: "How was Korea?"
me: "Korea was..."(notice glazing over eyes in fear of me saying too much) "Korea was...Great!"

relative:"What are you doing now?"
me: "I am currently unemployed"

disappointed relative: "Oh? Why? I mean...I am sure you will find something...keep it up!" (note the look of concern and discomfort while looking for someone else to talk to)



I soon became smaller and smaller until I was lucky enough to find a job waiting tables! yay!

relative: "so what happened to teaching?"
me: "The school board is not hiring anyone right now"
reltive:"have you considered the suburbs"
shocked me: "WHAT ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?!"

[redaxe]

[GreenlightmeansGO]

At her family shindig, my girlfriend, her mother and her father told everyone she was dating an expat, to which there were some amusing responses.

Her father's sister, who is 82, couldn't understand why, and seemed really confused. Another of her aunts bragged that she had known all along because her daughter had seen us downtown. She also mentioned that I was pretty short (which is true).

For the latter aunt, she has a daughter and a son, in their late 30s, both unmarried. When she started bragging about knowing about my relationship, everyone started asking her 'when are your children going to get married?' To which she replied (angrily) 'don't talk about them!' and she stormed off.

[ms.catbc]

[wylies99]

[tall_dave]