Korean Job Discussion Forums

[nautilus]

Personally I hope the trend keeps up until you finally have a society free from a bazillion uncomfortable family obligations.
I mean who really wants to travel 8 hours through traffic jams just to be faced with a barrage of uncomfortable questions from tactless extended family members you barely know?


K Times 02-11-2010

"When are you getting married?" bothered nearly half of the respondents, followed by "Are you getting promoted this year?"

For those with a secure job and partner, "When are you having a baby?" another cringe inflictor, only naturally follows suit.

According to Job Korea, such questions are alienating young people from their relatives. Among those who have no plan to see their family for this holiday, more than half said they chose to be alone because of such queries.

More than half of them said they will just stay home, while one third said they plan to meet with their friends who are in the same boat.

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/biz/2010/02/123_60712.html

[Moldy Rutabaga]

Well, it's not only Korea -- I got a lot of those questions in Canada. When are you getting married? You don't have a job; it must be because you're not looking. Why don't you apply at a bank? Banks are always hiring! Perhaps the questioning is just a lot more blunt here.

I think the larger reason is that transportation is so ridiculously clogged here on holidays that people get frustrated when they can't drive or get a ticket home. It might be a dying of family ties, but we could also be optimistic and say that people are realizing that they can visit home on other weekends, not put on a silly outfit, and the sky doesn't fall.

[CapnSamwise]

You never call anymore. Don't you know how much it worries me when you never call?

Okay now I am going to have a three hour discussion with you about your father's bowel movements. I am going to advocate putting him in a nursing home because my opinions are easily swayed and I saw this thing on Oprah once, where a man couldn't remember where his keys were and your father does that all the time. I mean I never lose my keys, they're always in the little dish by the door unless they're in my coat pockets, or on the counter, or if I left them in the car by accident. Oh my God, do you think I have Alzheimers too? Maybe we could both get put in a nursing home, do you think they offer group discounts? I know Mrs. Morris from down the street left her cat in the oven to dry off one time, that's what I heard from Elizabeth.

Elizabeth, you know her. Maureen's daughter, she used to babysit for you that one time? Well anyway I was talking to Elizabeth this one time and apparently Harold from across the street visited a prostitute. Oh yes, a prostitute, the one that hangs out by the Circle K over on Rt. 9? Yes, her! Complained that Amanda never had sex anymore after the miscarriage, and that he had his needs!

I know, such a scandal!




My theory is that nobody is going home because families are terrible.

[nautilus]

[crossmr]

I thought this was about traffic.. if it was me, I'd probably head out in the middle of the night or something. Like 2 am...

[Steelrails]

I like to booze during the holidays and play poker with the guys as much as the next guy, but as I get older I kinda feel more 'family oriented'.

First off, as far as uncomfortable questions and complaints, the sad truth is our parents are often right and we're just oo pigheaded to admit our faults. Maybe we should be less picky when it comes to choosing a spouse. Maybe we should go out and apply for a better job.

Dealing with the family and all their faults is a sign of maturity. Being able to take criticism and have what you stand for without falling back on "It's my life" is something we all need once in a while.

That being said no one wants to sit through dad's same old story about the time he got electrocuted installing the satellite dish. In other words, show up, bring some cheer, don't argue too much, but still meet up at 8 back at the local bar with the pals.

[Italy37612]

[brier]

It is about demographics and older relations taking flight. Once the 'big house' is no longer in the country side and older uncles sold off the land or rent it out other farmers and then moved to the city there is little reason to go visit. It's demographics and poor journalism form the Times, but that is the Times for you.

[nobbyken]

Because the holiday fell on a weekend, it was just like a regular weekend with the Monday off.
More people tend to travel when the holidays fall on weekdays.
Then, combined with the weekend, people are more likely to travel.