Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Who's Your Daddy?]

I read to many posts that go as follows:
- my school is making me...
- my school isn't paying me...

Grow a pair and say "no." If you want to be nice say, "no, sorry." Or "Sorry, but no." But learn the power of No. Don't get into long discussions where bosses try to con you, just say no.

People working that haven't been paid?

I've said no probably in every job I've had in Korea. I've never been fired, and always been offered renewal. Korean bosses will push until you say "no", that's how it works. They expect you to say no at some point, and if you don't they loose respect for you.

Well that's what I'm saying. Be an adult!

[Senior]

[jizza]

He meant their respect will be less rigid for you, like their respect level can be more flexible. "To loosen your respect for someone."

[PastorYoon]

[Seoulio]

[recessiontime]

I too failed in the fast by not realizing the power of no...

if you give the k's an inch they will go a mile.

[tanklor1]

Saying an outright "no" isn't the answer. Too strong and agressive. (Been there lesson learned. )

Now, passively agreeing and passively ignoring are things done on both sides of the fence.

You're still playing baseball: the game over here is more like cricket.

[Senior]

[ontheway]

[Netz]

[bobbybigfoot]

This post is far too simplistic, but it does touch upon an important topic: knowing your boundaries.

Koreans don't say "no" to their bosses. That's just not how it's done in Korea. People often assume Koreans have a dislike for foreigners and that they treat us completely different. But, in my experience, Koreans treat Koreans far worse. I've heard numerous accounts of Koreans working extra hours, extra days, extra workloads for ZERO extra money. At one hagwon, the foreigners would be paid extra for weekend workshops, but the Korean teachers had to do it for free AND work even longer hours AND have a lower salary AND get no apartment, no pension etc...

It's a different culture. Know your boundaries yes, but be diplomatic and realize that Koreans are not necessarily out to screw you, the waigookin.

[PastorYoon]

But protect yourself so that you don't get screwed, at the same time.

[Dragoon]

The first thing that came to my mind when I read the title of this thread was Huey Lewis' mid 1980's hit "The power of love" (you know the main song from the 1st Back to the Future).

Don't need money
Don't need fame
Don't need a credit card to ride this train...hell yeah

[garygoodbloke]

Someone said that in Korea it's more like cricket, not baseball.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcpwNpP0bHM&feature=related

On that video evidence I'm inclined to agree.

That aside, boundaries are massively important. And saying no gives a wonderful feeling.

Here's a good story about boundaries: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxCaOzmV0LE

[Forward Observer]