Korean Job Discussion Forums

[depth]

hi all,

how should i address the female director...

im not comfortable asking around if she is married or not, and a ring on this or that finger doesn't necessarily indicate of she is married, and im not going to call her ma'am.

the other foreign teacher at my school doesn't know what to address her either

thanks for any answers

[tanklor1]

I wouldn't worry about it.

[Fox]

Addressing Koreans by their Korean title is by far the easiest way to go.

[the_curious]

How about "Ms."

or use her Korean title.

[waseige1]

delete

[liveinkorea316]

You would call her

Gyo Jung Nim; or
Won Jung Nim

Just be done with that. Any other way you call her may come across as too casual. Koreans are more formal than Westerners when it comes to using someone's title - the almost ALWAYS use it. Even in social settings. I have seen wives refer to their husband as Won Jung Nim or Bak Sa Nim in front of others because it is the way things are.

[mollayo]

Won Jung Nim....What is that? I hear a k teacher call the director that, and he is her husband.

[interestedinhanguk]

[schwa]

Yep, thats perfectly appropriate. Ms Kim or Ms Lee would be fine too. If she prefers Miss or Mrs she'll say so.

[Kwangjuchicken]

[Hyeon Een]

If you're a dude call her "Nuna" and give her a knowing smile.

Except when other people are there.

[wylies99]

OP, what do the students call her? That should be what you call her. Otherwise, ask a Korean teacher.

[hellofaniceguy]

I would always just call them by their name...Kim, Lee, Byun or whatever....no reason to get formal....not a big thing really.
Better yet, ask them.

[sojusucks]