Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Homer]

I have often wondered why Hank (Hank is a guy I know in Busan who has been here since 1995) who hates Korea with a passion, refers to Koreans as "slope heads" or "Gooks", does not speak a word of Korean and constantly whines, stays here in Korea.

Hank is not old. He is a certified teacher who could work anywhere in the world. He says Canada is so much better then Korea yet year after year he remains.

Its a bloody mystery...anyone got a light to shed on this one?

[jajdude]

It is a mystery. Could be fear of change, leaving the familiar, trying something new? Could be the work is easier here, or he thinks so? (Then again easier work doesn't help a miserable person much). Ya wonder if Hank could be happy anywhere? It's tempting to blame the environment. I do enough of it. But I've been unhappy lots of places. Some places I liked better than others, but I'm not sure how much the environment (country or town or even housing) affected my day to day life. A bad job seems worse. Does Hank hate his job too? If so, Homer old man, who can say why he remains? Married? A masochist? Hot girlfriend? Or does the grass just seem greener over yonder? How did that old poem go.....?

A curious creature is man, I'm told.
When it's hot he wants it cold.
When it's cold he wants it hot.
Always wanting what is not.

[Butterfly]

Don't know Homer, but I wish they would go, all of them. But you know what I hate more than Hank types? It's the 'this is my experience' people, the ones who think everyone, whether Korean or foreign should run around after them, and treat them little little white Kings and Queens (mostly queens I have found), and feel very privleged to be in their presence. They also think that their Korean students, because they can't articulate themselves fully in English, are therefore a little bit stupid, so they lecture them on how to live, do business etc.

It's so irritating.

Korean students are so sweet with these people, they know full well how naive and thick they are, but indulge them all the same, I guess it's the confidence of knowing they are more educated so it doesn't matter.

These people aren't bad as such, they are just intrinsically arrogant due to their nationality and race. I fugging hate them, I have more respect for people like Hank, who at least know they are racist.

[wylde]

in my experience, i fuggen hate people who won't allow others an opinion. they are the ones who should really shut the fug up.
they are so stupidly arrogant that they believe that free speech no longer exists and they are next to god almighty being able to tell others what to think and say.

that is brainlessness at its best, even moronic

i am sitting here @ 6am watching 2 koreans dressed like black & white minstrals singing 'when the saints come marching in' on tv. next, they are writing off chinese people.. they had an old man dressed and speaking like a chinese person falling into everything and looking like a downright fool... those who call 'white' people racists for having an opinion over this type of behaviour need to slap themselves in the head a few times.

[phaedrus]

It would be nice if people who hate Korea would leave after their first contract. I do believe that people should finish at least their first year though. My father always taught me to finish what I started.

The people who think everything is "their personal experience", well, I don't know. Some people are just travelling and seeing foreign lands. They have no desire to interact, they are the philosophical equivalent of being on a safari, or in a zoo. Going places is just collecting experience. I want to do Thailand, and then do Russia, and then do Africa, I can be a travel materialist. They are annoying, but thankfully they don't stick aroung long, but there is always a new supply.

Some people who "hate" it so much on the surface are just grumpy. They really love it, but are afraid to show caring.

[Mr. Pink]

I think the people that bug me most are those who don't work as hard as they could, yet constantly complain about how they aren't getting paid enough, don't have enough holidays, and how their apt sucks.

I see it every day on this board.

[Crois]

You have the pleasure of me annoying this website for some years to come...

I love Korea and Hate Korea. Doing a years contract here so that i can gain a bit more experience.
Better employment prospects if you have seen out your year. Also first time here so I can't really complain too much. Only thing can get better I hope.

[the_beaver]

People like to complain.

Put the average person in almost any situation for a long enough period of time and they'll find something to complain about.

[rapier]

The answer to the OP's question is really quite simple: money and convenience.
If Thailand paid the same as Korea, do you think there'd be even one esler, left here?

[Paji eh Wong]

What's the statuete of limitations in Canada again?

[VanIslander]

(paji eh wong, there's no limitation on prosecution for murdering the word "statute", sorry.)

Homer, I share your bafflement.

Rapier's answer is too easy: in terms of money, there's similar opportunities in Japan and Taiwan, and with his experience and certification, in some parts of the Middle East and Europe too; in terms of convenience, perhaps, since to pursue other options takes initiative and a number of good references.

Maybe he isn't so negative at work, and can have co-workers vouch for his good attitude in the workplace. Maybe posts on Dave's, and talking with other foreigners, are avenues to vent his frustrations.

It could be just an aspect of personality. I know people like that back in Canada: aren't usually satisfied, and find pleasure in griping.

I can't help but wonder sometimes though: If it's so bad, why not do something else? I would. See? An issue of personality perhaps.

[rapier]

[Ya-ta Boy]

Could it be that it was his attitude that prevented him from getting a job back home in the first place?

[Mankind]

[chilsung]

I also dislike the people that constantly complain, but then again I too have difficulty here and enjoy voicing my problems with those that I trust. There are many things that make it difficult and if someone feels comfortable enough with you to share them then maybe being supportive and befriending them is a way to remedy the situation. As far as speaking Korean; I don't consider it imperative to learn anothers language but I do think that it would make a little easier for him. I know people that have lived in Thailand and other South-Eastern countries for 20+ years and have never had to learn the language. There are plentiful supplies of foreigners and refugees living in the US that don't speak english and I don't ask them to leave. I often joke and have heard it said that Korea is a wonderful place and would be better if it weren't for all the Koreans that live here.
As for the original question of why is he here, first ask him yourself. As for my assumption it is probably the devil you know. I personally find Korea addictive, though there are opportunites in other countries it is the easiest place to get started. You can literally have no more than 300 dollars and start a career. I know when I got my first Career type position in the states I needed over 2000 dollars just to relocate and get started. That is a lot of money for some after graduation.
My 2 biggest pet peives are the teachers that are here just chasing a pay check and those that think that they are better than other teachers because they don't teach in Hagwons. I don't think that it is fair to the students if you are not committed to them. Those individuals that stay here teaching kids who don't particularly like teaching or kids make it difficult on us all. For those of you who think that you are above others just remember you are not a professor unless you have a PHD. You are merely a lecturer and even back in the West you have no respect.