Korean Job Discussion Forums

[gakduki]

I have heard from a few Koreans that Kimchi was perhaps the reason why no one contacted SARS in Korean, but not that it cures everything. There is a perception here that it is a wonderfully healthy food and if you have lived here for a few months, talked to the locals and read the news you cannot deny that.
There are Korean gay people, and I have heard that from Koreans. Hiowever the only related comment tends to be, Korea is not a society that is open to gay people.
Whoever has heard a Korean say 'all foriegners are gay' must have met a drunk or a racist. No one could be that stupid, Korean or not.
My favorite comment and many of us have heard this one, is 'Korea has four seasons.'
Another one I hear is that Asians think more collectively about the group than the individual.
As for foriegners being lazy. The Koreans at my work, think I am very hard working and dilligent because I study hard and work. As for the people who have heard that they are lazy (or that 'others' are lazy), maybe it is because they teach a few hours a day and thats about the only productive thing they do other than a halfed @#$ attempt to learn Korean. Also, being overweight is another key give away that one could be lazy. It is something I've heard that I can agree with. Many foriegners here are lazy.

[Unposter]

When I first started teaching in Korea, it was standard government policy that there weren't any homosexuals in Korea. Now, Korea has at least one openly gay actor and transgenders all over the place. It is not something that the average Korean believes anymore.

[Banana_Man]

[quote="yeti08"]They truly believe (a good portion) of them that being gay is a choice and Koreans are just better than foreigners and don't make that choice. [quote]

Congratulations. On, being wrong. Who is they anyway, are you lumping people together because they share the same ethnicity? Because thats r*****. Or, you just think you are too cool for school. You have met some Koreans who are misguided, and sexual discriminaters, and you think you know all there is to know.

If I didn't have a sense of humour how could I put up with b***s*** like this? Open your mind. You are being juvenile.

[yeti08]

[quote="Banana_Man"][quote="yeti08"]They truly believe (a good portion) of them that being gay is a choice and Koreans are just better than foreigners and don't make that choice.

[yeti08]

On a lighter note....thanks to some people.

The 'Four Seasons' thing is going a bit far......I have finally heard some Koreans admit that they're loosing their 4 seasons or never really had them. Yet I've heard some older people demand that they still exist, but this is just a crazy year.

The weather has been awful since my arrival (and I am from Western Pennsylvania). Fall was hot and muggy then wetter than normal. Winter was colder than usual and went straight to humid and hot with overcast and rain. Not looking forward to summer at all......4 seasons. I call shenanigans and want my recruiter to admit that this is fraud. I don't consider cold to rain to muggy to rain to cold again 4 seasons.

[Banana_Man]

This topic is about the strange things Koreans believe. Except the majority of Koreans do not believe them, only foreigners think they do, and they use this information to act superior. You are correct I do need to lighten up. It frustrates and angers me when people make such rash generalizations about the Korean culture or Korean people. Perhaps I was too harsh in saying this is juvenile, but I have seen way too many foreigners say way too many juvenile things similar to what has been said in this topic. Yes, I quoted you out of context, which was quite immature of myself and for that I do apologise. The whole mess of hating/mocking Koreans for trying to be friendly and make innane small talk really gets to me, as you can see. Anyways, in regards to your not liking close minded people in any country, I fully agree which is why I usually respond to topics like this so enthusiastically annoyed.

[yeti08]

I understand what you're saying now. We agree, but in text it's difficult to figure out context and overall meaning. I dislike when people mock Koreans for a lot of things, but some can't be left alone. I mock everyone a little bit, because laughing about stuff is a great way to grey the divisions.

I dislike the comments that Koreans don't want us here most. Sure I've had some bad run ins with jerks, but for the most part I've felt very welcomed.

[gakduki]