Korean Job Discussion Forums

reactionary · Joined: 22 Oct 2006 Location: korreia

Kind of funny. Eating lunch with one of the young lady teachers and one of the older males comes up and invites me to go drinking with "the boys" tomorrow night via her (she translated his Korean into English). Can't say that's a good sign if he can't even communicate with me for the invite - sounds like a boring night of hearing a lot of drunk Korean male banter!

I'm supposed to go talk to him if I want to go, so it sounds pretty low pressure. Any bad feelings if I don't bother?

Nemo · Joined: 28 May 2006

Soju breaks down a lot of language barriers.

Fishead soup · Joined: 24 Jun 2007 Location: Korea

Go for it. It's usually Samgyup sal and soju. Followed by beer at a hof or a singing room. There will be at least one male teacher who will be able to communicate with you. Most people will get disgustingly drunk. It will improve your standing at your school. If down the road you need help with trouble makers they will be more likely to help you if you have jung.

nomad-ish · Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 8:04 pm Post subject:

it's probably a good idea to go... if he's an older male teacher at the school, he would most likely have some sway in the office politics. it could make your year a bit more comfortable.

rookieglobetrotter · Joined: 19 Dec 2008

yes sounds like a good idea to go, as it improves work culture harmony. I was wondering about any Korean social outings communication tips as well so I can talk to the non-English speaking teachers.

jonpurdy · Joined: 08 Jan 2009 Location: Ulsan

Absolutely 100% go (if you're a guy). You might not get an invite in the future if you refuse the first time. Plus it's a great way to meet and bond with teachers. Once you get ridiculously drunk their English will really come out and you'll have a great time. And you'll all give each other the nod the morning after when everyone is hungover trying to teach.

AussieGav · Joined: 02 Sep 2007 Location: Uijeongbu

thunderbird · Joined: 18 Aug 2009

nautilus · Joined: 26 Nov 2005 Location: Je jump, Tu jump, oui jump!

southernman · Joined: 15 Jan 2010 Location: On the mainland again

LikeFrostOnRoads · Joined: 09 Mar 2010

I will say that while I've never been to a boys night out, I did at one point get stuck on the non-English speaking side of the table at a staff dinner, which means my director and the finance manager. With his arm around my shoulder, the fin manager gladly poured shot after shot of soju for me. It turned out to be a great night, even though it was a Tuesday and we all had to work in the morning... Needless to say, the director has treated me like a son ever since.

PigeonFart · Joined: 27 Apr 2006

I like boy's nights out. In fact, going out is my favorite thing to do. I love it, i need it.

However, if all those boys are korean then i can't imagine having a good time. I don't like being in the company of Koreans. They don't speak my language, i don't speak theirs. Their culture is not appealing to me. So i can see why you wouldn't want to go out.

Although i suppose the others are right, in that it might be better (for bonding) in the long term. Damn! Tell us what decision you made.

Cerberus · Joined: 29 Oct 2009

do it!

all upside - relationship building, good politics, you pay for nothing, you may even get your hands on a hot girl at the naughty norebang later.

almost no downside - the only one I see is a wildly drunken adjosshi stroking your thigh or grinding into you in the noreabang (which is why hopefully they'll go to one with female hostesses)

it WOULD definitely help if at least one of the guys spoke some English, but even if not, I'd go.

reactionary · Joined: 22 Oct 2006 Location: korreia

ThingsComeAround · Joined: 07 Nov 2008

you never know...

its a few hours. after the first place, you can stop and go home.

and its free.

you had other plans? you should have made that clear when you first got the invite. if you do it now, they will think you don't like them and make your last six months unpleasant/awkward