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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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Ghostinthemachine
Joined: 22 Jun 2003
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 Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2004 5:21 am Post subject: |
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The Bobster wrote
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Sarcasm is all about speaking something that is exactly the opposite of what you truly mean, and with the large linguistic gulf (not to mention the cultural divide) it's a pretty chancy thing for all except the most advanced students to be able to master. Also, native speakers usually employ facial cues or body language while using sarcasm - on the internet we use emoticons - and this kind of nonverbal communication is another big challenge for Koreans, since their culture uses it far less than we do.
I wonder what others think - is this really true, that Koreans don't use sarcasm? |
Sarcasm can have different meanings in different cultures. I remember one time speaking to a French woman who had lived in Ireland for nine years. She told me that at first she felt people were very aggressive with her because they used a lot of sarcasm (apparently in France it is used mainly to express anger or scorn). It took her a while to realise that it could also express affectionate humour. |
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Gollum
Joined: 04 Sep 2003
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2004 7:44 am Post subject: |
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| rapier wrote: |
| Koreans humor appears to be based on scoffing at someone elses stupidity or misfortune.. so the boss probably feels a bit uneasy/ threatened when faced with it from subordinates. |
Well, my jokes have gotten me into cross-cultural trouble before with a filipina once.
I think rapier is probably right, because even some of my teasing does play off of misfortune or funny things about someone. But the person I was teasing was my friend (the General Manager) and not the owner. And the jokes were in fun and jest. Still, it bothered the owner a lot, I guess. The GM loved it, and sometimes pitched it back at me, which I enjoyed. |
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intergalactic
Joined: 19 May 2003
Location: Brisbane
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| Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2004 4:54 pm Post subject: teasing |
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Teasing: a socially acceptable way of being mean to somebody. That kind of humour may amuse the teaser, but it isn't a comfortable way of interacting with people. The person being teased gets nothing out of it.
Listening to this kind of humour can get very tiring very fast, especially when the 'funny guy' is so chuffed with himself he doesn't notice the discomfort of others around.
I wouldn't say I'm a stick-in-the-mud at all, but I used to work with a guy who was like that with all his co-workers, "Hey, nice hair! Get up late this morning?  ", "better watch it, I think ___ has a crush on you! ", "what are you doing after work, calling your girlfriend from the dabang? "
He was such a pain in the ass. |
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just because
Joined: 01 Aug 2003
Location: Changwon - 4964
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| Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2004 5:37 pm Post subject: |
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| intergalactic wrote: |
wouldn't say I'm a stick-in-the-mud at all, but I used to work with a guy who was like that with all his co-workers, "Hey, nice hair! Get up late this morning? ", "better watch it, I think ___ has a crush on you! ", "what are you doing after work, calling your girlfriend from the dabang? "
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Well, I would say you are a stick in the mud. I understand you don't like being made fun of, none of us do but if the person in question is obviously saying it lightheartedly then you have your sensativity knob turned on too high.
In every hagwon/school/general workplace I've ever worked at it is humor like this that lightens the mood of the place. You have a mutual laugh and then you get on with it.
I agree the dabang comment is a bit bad but if such comments you made about the hair worry you then i feel a little sorry for you not being able to enjoy such humor. |
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Gollum
Joined: 04 Sep 2003
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2004 5:51 pm Post subject: Re: teasing |
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| intergalactic wrote: |
Teasing: a socially acceptable way of being mean to somebody. That kind of humour may amuse the teaser, but it isn't a comfortable way of interacting with people. The person being teased gets nothing out of it.
Listening to this kind of humour can get very tiring very fast, especially when the 'funny guy' is so chuffed with himself he doesn't notice the discomfort of others around.
I wouldn't say I'm a stick-in-the-mud at all, but I used to work with a guy who was like that with all his co-workers, "Hey, nice hair! Get up late this morning? ", "better watch it, I think ___ has a crush on you! ", "what are you doing after work, calling your girlfriend from the dabang? "
He was such a pain in the ass. |
In truth, I didn't crack such jokes very often.
I will modify and use the tabang one on some western friends though. |
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intergalactic
Joined: 19 May 2003
Location: Brisbane
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| Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2004 8:15 pm Post subject: just because |
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Just because, I didn't say these comments were directed at me, they were to everyone, and we all had to hear them, all the time.
It's not mutual humour, because no matter how obviously lighthearted the quips are, the teaser is gaining more pleasure from it than the teasee. It isn't an equal relationship, unless the teasee then turns around and directs a quip at the teaser. This may be fun every now and then, but to constantly have to listen to and partake in 'funny' insults is a drag. And for the person it is directed towards it is even more tiring, because that person is obliged to laugh along at their own expense, lest be labelled a grump, or over sensitive, or can't take a joke, or a stick-in-the-mud.
Gollum, I didn't mean to accuse you directly of doing this, the teasing thing just came up in the thread. Glad you don't use it too much. Some of the funniest guys I know never use this kind of joke, and some of the most lame wanna-be-funnyguys use it all the time. |
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just because
Joined: 01 Aug 2003
Location: Changwon - 4964
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| Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2004 8:23 pm Post subject: |
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| intergalactic wrote: |
| It's not mutual humour, because no matter how obviously lighthearted the quips are, the teaser is gaining more pleasure from it than the teasee. It isn't an equal relationship, unless the teasee then turns around and directs a quip at the teaser. |
Fair point. I suppose I was a little insensitive in my remarks and for that i apologize.
My personality revolves around bad humor  . Not crude humor but obvious humor which also involves a bit of visual sarcasm. Hence I would make remarks about messy hair and dating a bit.
However, I try not to overstep the line and you can tell when you have offended someone and on the rare occasion I may, i apologise and say not to take me too seriously and it doesn't happen again.
I know what it can be like to have a continual prankster driving you up the wall but from your opening remarks I read into to it you don't like humor at all. I think i was wrong. |
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rapier
Joined: 16 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2004 2:09 am Post subject: Re: just because |
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| intergalactic wrote: |
Just because, I didn't say these comments were directed at me, they were to everyone, and we all had to hear them, all the time.
It's not mutual humour, because no matter how obviously lighthearted the quips are, the teaser is gaining more pleasure from it than the teasee. It isn't an equal relationship, unless the teasee then turns around and directs a quip at the teaser. This may be fun every now and then, but to constantly have to listen to and partake in 'funny' insults is a drag. And for the person it is directed towards it is even more tiring, because that person is obliged to laugh along at their own expense, lest be labelled a grump, or over sensitive, or can't take a joke, or a stick-in-the-mud.
Gollum, I didn't mean to accuse you directly of doing this, the teasing thing just came up in the thread. Glad you don't use it too much. Some of the funniest guys I know never use this kind of joke, and some of the most lame wanna-be-funnyguys use it all the time. |
Good post. my humour is based on absurdity, sarcasm, puns and so on. I laugh at things and situations, not at people. I have a basis of respect for most people.
I never tease people, never have, and don't understand those that do. I'm not tuned into the concept of "ripping" someone else, so it takes me by surprise when somebody does it to me. I feel offended, offer little reply, and then start swearing and shouting if it continues. Has got me into a lot of fights. I take teasing seriously. Its personal, ridicule, and offensive, usually done by overgrown schoolkids.. I never put other people down- it never enters my head to do so.
On the other hand, I love to be teased endlessly in a gentle way by someone I know likes me!! |
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bellum99
Joined: 23 Jan 2003
Location: don't need to know
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| Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2004 12:42 am Post subject: i agree |
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| The person doing the teasing get more out of it. They are stealing something intangible from the other person. Dignity must be maintained and if someone is teasing you or making fun of you, then it takes something away from from you. Most people who use insults and ridicule to have a good time are usually morons with little or no sensitivity. |
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Gollum
Joined: 04 Sep 2003
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2004 7:18 am Post subject: |
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"You're in more dire need of a blow-job than any white man in history."
-- Robin Williams
Good Morning Vietnam
(I will fully admit, that yes indeed, you are 100% correct -- I got more of a laugh out of that than you or anyone else on here). |
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rapier
Joined: 16 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2004 1:06 am Post subject: |
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I like people who don't need to make someone else feel bad, in order for them to feel good.
I am such a person. I am entirely happy with myself and other people. I have no need to direct adverse attention at other people.. or try to take all the attention for myself. |
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