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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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rapier
Joined: 16 Feb 2003
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 Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 3:54 am Post subject: Re: Things I like about living in Korea |
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| jaganath69 wrote: |
| Mashimaro wrote: |
| jaganath69 wrote: |
6. The triumph of capitalism...... I think its great that this country has become a prosperous, stable democracy through export-oriented development policies and sheer hard graft. This is the practical example of why liberal-capitalist-democracy is the worst of all systems, except for all the others!
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Hate to be negative, but this 'triumph of capitalism' is currently in recession. Unemployment is rising and just how many more cheap cars, TVs etc can this country spit out? How many factories, offices etc. can be built in this tiny country? Like you, I admire korea's "sheer hard graft" as you put it... But I really worry for this countries future, especially after re unification (if it ever happens) with all the economic strain that will cause. |
I did, of course mean comparatively. Fifty years ago, this country was a backward peice of dirt with nothing much going for it. Today it is a thriving market economy with low unemployment by comparison to the rest of the developed world. When you look at other Asian nations, the so called "tigers", only Taiwan and Singapore have acheived this level of income and lifestyle. At the end of the day, I would rather be South Korean than North Korean, Chinese, Mongolian, Vietnamese, Philippino, Lao, Viet or Cambodian.
Cheers
Jaga |
But of course all the other Asian countries you mention have greater scenic beauty, charm, character, open spaces, tourist attraction, more interesting people, etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc.....................
However, not to put a downer on this positive thread, I like Korea because its easy to score a reasonably well paid job and save fairly good amounts of cash, on an "escape after your years up" basis.  |
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FierceInvalid
Joined: 16 Mar 2003
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| Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 3:58 am Post subject: |
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But the clubs you have to pay through the nose for.
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Dude, where are you from? Unless you're talking about booking clubs, the clubs here aren't cheap but they aren't expensive either, especially when compared to other huge cities.
And if you are talking about booking clubs there are other options...and are you really gonna say it ain't worth it anyway? |
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cacheSurfer
Joined: 07 Dec 2003
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| Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 5:33 am Post subject: |
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| wylde wrote: |
| ......drinking on the train.... |
i have to agree with you on this one.  |
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Yaya
Joined: 25 Feb 2003
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 12:06 pm Post subject: Re: Things I like about living in Korea |
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| Mashimaro wrote: |
| jaganath69 wrote: |
6. The triumph of capitalism...... I think its great that this country has become a prosperous, stable democracy through export-oriented development policies and sheer hard graft. This is the practical example of why liberal-capitalist-democracy is the worst of all systems, except for all the others!
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Hate to be negative, but this 'triumph of capitalism' is currently in recession. Unemployment is rising and just how many more cheap cars, TVs etc can this country spit out? How many factories, offices etc. can be built in this tiny country? Like you, I admire korea's "sheer hard graft" as you put it... But I really worry for this countries future, especially after re unification (if it ever happens) with all the economic strain that will cause. |
Ah, yet another doomsday proponet. This ain't nothing new to Korea and I'm sure this one won't be the last.
I heard similar talk during the IMF crisis in Korea, and one guy who said he was in some master's econ program started to feel all big and bad in thinking he'd predict the next big crisis (maybe he was doing that and making fries at the same time during his shift). Guess what, it NEVER happened. Korea did recover and won plenty of accolades in recovering rapidly from the Asian crisis. As of February 2004, Standard and Poor's gives Korea an A- sovereign rating despite the North Korean threat and the like.
Plus, a lot of Korean companies are setting up shop in China like everyone else is, or for that matter, Kazakhstan. Labor costs in Korea are too high to compete against China, even though many laborers from poorer countries are being brought in.
That said, the good thing about Korea is that things are never boring, you're always with people and people seem to enjoy a good time. It's also nice to walk down the street and see thin people for a change, something sorely lacking in the United States nowadays. |
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Toby
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Location: Wedded Bliss
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| Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 5:22 pm Post subject: |
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| wylde wrote: |
7000 won bottles of vodka
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You are drinking the expensive stuff then.
I have seen Vodka for under 6,500.
Guess what I have for breakfast on a sunday? Several bloody mary's. Wonderful |
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desultude
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Location: Dangling my toes in the Persian Gulf
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| Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 6:06 pm Post subject: |
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Riding the bullet train! I may be able to escape Daegu quickly soon! This is something to love!
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Swiss James
Joined: 26 Nov 2003
Location: Shanghai
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| Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 6:14 pm Post subject: |
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19.) Buddhist temples
20) The Old Tea House, Insadong
[edit: thought of another one] |
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sparkx
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Location: thekimchipot.com
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| Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 6:44 pm Post subject: |
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| One thing i've never heard mentioned is the quality of optical stores here. I go to this big ass place in Dongdaemoon where they test your eyes on the spot using the exact same technology optometrists in North America use, no appointment, no bullsh*t. You can then buy a decent pair of glasses for under 100, 000won. For a guy with a combination of crossed eyes & walleye vision like myself, its quite comforting. |
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desultude
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Location: Dangling my toes in the Persian Gulf
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| Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 6:58 pm Post subject: |
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sparkx
One thing i've never heard mentioned is the quality of optical stores here. I go to this big ass place in Dongdaemoon where they test your eyes on the spot using the exact same technology optometrists in North America use, no appointment, no bullsh*t. You can then buy a decent pair of glasses for under 100, 000won. For a guy with a combination of crossed eyes & walleye vision like myself, its quite comforting. |
Our local optical shop has some cool, cheap frames. I recently got two pair of glasses for around 60,000. For both pair! I buy glasses now the way I used to buy clothes (when I lived someplace where the clothes fit!) |
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Gord
Joined: 25 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 7:08 pm Post subject: Re: Things I like about living in Korea |
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| Mashimaro wrote: |
| Hate to be negative, but this 'triumph of capitalism' is currently in recession. Unemployment is rising and just how many more cheap cars, TVs etc can this country spit out? How many factories, offices etc. can be built in this tiny country? Like you, I admire korea's "sheer hard graft" as you put it... But I really worry for this countries future, especially after re unification (if it ever happens) with all the economic strain that will cause. |
http://edition.cnn.com/2003/BUSINESS/11/20/korea.gdp/
CNN disagrees, and suggests that the recession ended six months ago (or nine months ago, technically). More time has past since the recession ended than the recession was in it's length.
| sparkx wrote: |
| You can then buy a decent pair of glasses for under 100, 000won. |
I don't get corrective lenses, but I do get custom made sunglasses for around 35,000 each. And if I break them, 15,000 to replace a lens. It's all good. |
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kangnamdragon
Joined: 17 Jan 2003
Location: Kangnam, Seoul, Korea
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| Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 8:29 pm Post subject: |
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| I think many people here without jobs disagree with CNN. Also, many wealthy Koreans are not spending money due to the "recession". If we are not in a recession, growth is minimal. |
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nolin nae
Joined: 23 Apr 2003
Location: ���ֹ�
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| Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 8:39 pm Post subject: |
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| desultude wrote: |
| Riding the bullet train! I may be able to escape Daegu quickly soon! This is something to love! |
any why would you ever want to leave daegu? 
one thing i've noticed runs very efficiently here is the government-operated administrative offices, in particular the motor vehicle department. back in the states, going to the dmv was always a hair-pulling experience - but here i've had very few complaints. getting married was also unbelievably easy (much easier than being married  ). this might be a product of korean impatience, but in this case it's one that benefits me.
can't not mention the women also, who make all the hard times bearable.
by the way, wouldn't mind meeting a few people who are "stationed" here in daegu. i know desultude and manner of speaking. anyone elso out there... |
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desultude
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Location: Dangling my toes in the Persian Gulf
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| Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2004 1:38 am Post subject: |
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Nolin nae-
Have we met? |
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nolin nae
Joined: 23 Apr 2003
Location: ���ֹ�
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| Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2004 4:21 am Post subject: |
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| desultude wrote: |
Nolin nae-
Have we met? |
no, i don't think we have. sorry, i meant to say i know that you're in daegu, not i know you. regardless, i wouldn't mind meeting you or anyone else that frequents the board. i'm not a huge drinker anymore, but i still get out every once and awhile and thought meetings some people downtown, or anyplace for that matter, might be interesting. |
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oldfort
Joined: 09 Oct 2003
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| Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2004 8:07 am Post subject: |
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Here's my list. After going through some bad homesickness, I've recently learned to appreciate this place.
The transportation, definitely.
The street markets.
The convenience. I live in a modern neighbourhood, and all sorts of stuff is right close to me.
The chance to do different stuff. I'll be starting kumdo lessons next Monday.
The chance to immerse oneself in a different culture and observe other ways of doing things/living. I'm not very good at this, though, but I'm working on it.
PC bangs and other stuff which is open all night
Random people starting conversations to practice their English. This used to irk me, but now it's becoming sort of fun.
The kids, oh, the kids are terrors sometimes, but they are so cute. I really like the ones I teach------hey, come to think of it, this is the first month I can say I honestly like all my students! Some of them would totally destruct the class if I let them, and a few are a touch spoilt, but I like them.
The hills. Great for endurance training.
Now, the small stuff:
Getting your coin back when you return your locker key. That never happens at home!
My washing machine. It has lint filters and plays 'Die Forelle' when it's done washing the load.
Add to that the snippets of classical music that play here and there, on the subway, from people's phones, &c. This used to irritate me too, but now, strangely, I like it.
The junk food.
Citrons. |
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