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brickabrack
Joined: 17 May 2010
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 Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2010 5:38 pm Post subject: I don't love Korea. |
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This may serve as info/advice for new folks or taken as a �Life is what you make it� approach.
Culture shock was not something I presumed would affect me much when I arrived to small town, SK some 8 months ago. I�ve lived in Asia and other parts of the world and have adjusted quite well in every circumstance. There are always quirky things you encounter and question why things are done the way they are. You�ll run into that anywhere you go on this planet outside of your comfort zone. Brian, you�re not in L.A. anymore. So, I can understand a lot of the complaints and inquiries on weird happenings in this land.
We live in quite the homogenous country here in SK. There is generally a very narrow-minded viewpoint of most things. You can blame a little of that on govt/industry brainwashing. That kind of thing happens the world over. So, it�s a little easier to make statements, assumptions and comments about a whole group of folks, social norms and general dislikes about a place. Etc. etc. etc
I could list many irritating examples that have been played out here on these boards before, but I won�t. We all know that there are an extraordinary amount of ridiculous happenings and some of them have been done to death.
This particular comment is not a cry for attention or a pat on the back (some posters are unreal/pathetic in their need for �look at me� antics on this board), but of experiences I�ve had in workplaces the world over. I�m generally very well liked by peers, co-workers and bosses everywhere I�ve been. I�m guessing even if I worked for a really crappy organization, that I�d still be happy and enjoy the people at work�..but I would never work for a crappy org, so that example is out the window. Why? Because I don�t jump into employment positions that could be questionable. I don�t see how so many suckers put themselves through it, but someone needs to do it. 
Back to it: I�m not a �yes� man. I don�t kowtow. My opinions are strong and laid out for all to bear witness. I admit that I could be more tactful on occasion, but I usually laugh at all the PC BS. At my current gig, it�s not as extreme as in the past. I could possibly be maturing, but that doesn�t normally happen for men until age 55 or so�.I think. My school knows it is a part of who I am, and they love me or act like they do.
Everyone from top to bottom makes an effort to assure Brian is comfortable. So, I try to reciprocate that appreciation as much as possible. I take part in events, dinners and other outings that I am invited to all the time. I even impress my coworkers with my very limited (read terrible) Hangul sometimes. Kicking it with some of them individually has happened on a few occasions. I don�t pretend to love it here, but I do enjoy my situation. I make the best of what I am offered.
Do I still make critical statements about Koreans, SK, the food and other nuances? Yes, but I do that with every race, culture, nation I live in. I also offer praise, feedback, solutions and the like�.as well as an open mind. You won�t get me to admit that Korean fashion is �cool�, that adjossis and adjummas aren�t a strange breed. Or, that I don�t think Korean food is terrible. I�ve tried enough to know it really isn�t that appealing. I do, however, find different things on a daily basis to enjoy my time in this country.
Now all I need to do is have one of them introduce me to a big-bootied, long-legged Korean mami to enjoy the bitter winter that shall soon be upon us. My coteach is working on this right now. 
Nobody has to be here. If you�re someone that whines about a situation all the time and does nothing about it, you�re probably going to continue with the same actions for quite some time into the future. I doubt it is limited to the experience here. I understand msg brd postings can be a form of therapy, and I won�t apologize for the knucklehead schemes that I see Koreans partake on a daily basis, but your life is what you make it. Either here in the land of the MC or Timbuktu. Enjoy. Try not to ruin it too much for yourself. |
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tophatcat
Joined: 09 Aug 2006
Location: under the hat
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| Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2010 5:53 pm Post subject: Re: I don't love Korea. |
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| brickabrack wrote: |
This may serve as info/advice for new folks or taken as a �Life is what you make it� approach.
Culture shock was not something I presumed would affect me much when I arrived to small town, SK some 8 months ago. I�ve lived in Asia and other parts of the world and have adjusted quite well in every circumstance. There are always quirky things you encounter and question why things are done the way they are. You�ll run into that anywhere you go on this planet outside of your comfort zone. Brian, you�re not in L.A. anymore. So, I can understand a lot of the complaints and inquiries on weird happenings in this land.
We live in quite the homogenous country here in SK. There is generally a very narrow-minded viewpoint of most things. You can blame a little of that on govt/industry brainwashing. That kind of thing happens the world over. So, it�s a little easier to make statements, assumptions and comments about a whole group of folks, social norms and general dislikes about a place. Etc. etc. etc
I could list many irritating examples that have been played out here on these boards before, but I won�t. We all know that there are an extraordinary amount of ridiculous happenings and some of them have been done to death.
This particular comment is not a cry for attention or a pat on the back (some posters are unreal/pathetic in their need for �look at me� antics on this board), but of experiences I�ve had in workplaces the world over. I�m generally very well liked by peers, co-workers and bosses everywhere I�ve been. I�m guessing even if I worked for a really crappy organization, that I�d still be happy and enjoy the people at work�..but I would never work for a crappy org, so that example is out the window. Why? Because I don�t jump into employment positions that could be questionable. I don�t see how so many suckers put themselves through it, but someone needs to do it.
Back to it: I�m not a �yes� man. I don�t kowtow. My opinions are strong and laid out for all to bear witness. I admit that I could be more tactful on occasion, but I usually laugh at all the PC BS. At my current gig, it�s not as extreme as in the past. I could possibly be maturing, but that doesn�t normally happen for men until age 55 or so�.I think. My school knows it is a part of who I am, and they love me or act like they do.
Everyone from top to bottom makes an effort to assure Brian is comfortable. So, I try to reciprocate that appreciation as much as possible. I take part in events, dinners and other outings that I am invited to all the time. I even impress my coworkers with my very limited (read terrible) Hangul sometimes. Kicking it with some of them individually has happened on a few occasions. I don�t pretend to love it here, but I do enjoy my situation. I make the best of what I am offered.
Do I still make critical statements about Koreans, SK, the food and other nuances? Yes, but I do that with every race, culture, nation I live in. I also offer praise, feedback, solutions and the like�.as well as an open mind. You won�t get me to admit that Korean fashion is �cool�, that adjossis and adjummas aren�t a strange breed. Or, that I don�t think Korean food is terrible. I�ve tried enough to know it really isn�t that appealing. I do, however, find different things on a daily basis to enjoy my time in this country.
Now all I need to do is have one of them introduce me to a big-bootied, long-legged Korean mami to enjoy the bitter winter that shall soon be upon us. My coteach is working on this right now.
Nobody has to be here. If you�re someone that whines about a situation all the time and does nothing about it, you�re probably going to continue with the same actions for quite some time into the future. I doubt it is limited to the experience here. I understand msg brd postings can be a form of therapy, and I won�t apologize for the knucklehead schemes that I see Koreans partake on a daily basis, but your life is what you make it. Either here in the land of the MC or Timbuktu. Enjoy. Try not to ruin it too much for yourself. |
So, what's your point? |
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brickabrack
Joined: 17 May 2010
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| Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2010 6:01 pm Post subject: |
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I don't think it was really that difficult to read between the lines, but I was partly showing new comers who read this board that SK is not as terrible as some postings may lead them to believe and that if you're one of the ones who does believe it......then why are you here?
I thought I POINTED some of that out. I guess it is a little exhausting to read. If you didn't get anything from it, then it probably wasn't for you. But, enjoy your time here and have a lovely day. |
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discostu333
Joined: 18 Nov 2009
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| Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2010 7:58 pm Post subject: |
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| *Yawns* |
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nathanrutledge
Joined: 01 May 2008
Location: Marakesh
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| Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2010 8:02 pm Post subject: |
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| discostu333 wrote: |
| *Yawns* |
*jolts back awake and wipes drool from face* |
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Birmingham.couple
Joined: 29 May 2010
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| Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2010 8:06 pm Post subject: |
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| #wrong thread# |
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BigMikeAbroad
Joined: 12 Jun 2008
Location: US, for now
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| Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2010 8:45 pm Post subject: I liked it |
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| It was a nice sentiment and I get it. There is a lot of bitching on the boards and I think that is fine. We need a healthy outlet for frustrations we have when adapting to new cultures and its better to do it here than at work. New comers or people considering traveling to Korea to teach get a very negative image on these boards. This was just an note of realism. |
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tefain
Joined: 19 Sep 2007
Location: Not too far out there
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| Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2010 9:24 pm Post subject: Re: I don't love Korea. |
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| brickabrack wrote: |
| Nobody has to be here. If you�re someone that whines about a situation all the time and does nothing about it, you�re probably going to continue with the same actions for quite some time into the future. |
You hit this part well. No argument here. |
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WadRUG'naDoo
Joined: 15 Jun 2010
Location: Shanghai
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| Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2010 10:17 pm Post subject: Re: I don't love Korea. |
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| brickabrack wrote: |
This may serve as info/advice for new folks or taken as a �Life is what you make it� approach.
Culture shock was not something I presumed would affect me much when I arrived to small town, SK some 8 months ago. I�ve lived in Asia and other parts of the world and have adjusted quite well in every circumstance. There are always quirky things you encounter and question why things are done the way they are. You�ll run into that anywhere you go on this planet outside of your comfort zone. Brian, you�re not in L.A. anymore. So, I can understand a lot of the complaints and inquiries on weird happenings in this land.
We live in quite the homogenous country here in SK. There is generally a very narrow-minded viewpoint of most things. You can blame a little of that on govt/industry brainwashing. That kind of thing happens the world over. So, it�s a little easier to make statements, assumptions and comments about a whole group of folks, social norms and general dislikes about a place. Etc. etc. etc
I could list many irritating examples that have been played out here on these boards before, but I won�t. We all know that there are an extraordinary amount of ridiculous happenings and some of them have been done to death.
This particular comment is not a cry for attention or a pat on the back (some posters are unreal/pathetic in their need for �look at me� antics on this board), but of experiences I�ve had in workplaces the world over. I�m generally very well liked by peers, co-workers and bosses everywhere I�ve been. I�m guessing even if I worked for a really crappy organization, that I�d still be happy and enjoy the people at work�..but I would never work for a crappy org, so that example is out the window. Why? Because I don�t jump into employment positions that could be questionable. I don�t see how so many suckers put themselves through it, but someone needs to do it.
Back to it: I�m not a �yes� man. I don�t kowtow. My opinions are strong and laid out for all to bear witness. I admit that I could be more tactful on occasion, but I usually laugh at all the PC BS. At my current gig, it�s not as extreme as in the past. I could possibly be maturing, but that doesn�t normally happen for men until age 55 or so�.I think. My school knows it is a part of who I am, and they love me or act like they do.
Everyone from top to bottom makes an effort to assure Brian is comfortable. So, I try to reciprocate that appreciation as much as possible. I take part in events, dinners and other outings that I am invited to all the time. I even impress my coworkers with my very limited (read terrible) Hangul sometimes. Kicking it with some of them individually has happened on a few occasions. I don�t pretend to love it here, but I do enjoy my situation. I make the best of what I am offered.
Do I still make critical statements about Koreans, SK, the food and other nuances? Yes, but I do that with every race, culture, nation I live in. I also offer praise, feedback, solutions and the like�.as well as an open mind. You won�t get me to admit that Korean fashion is �cool�, that adjossis and adjummas aren�t a strange breed. Or, that I don�t think Korean food is terrible. I�ve tried enough to know it really isn�t that appealing. I do, however, find different things on a daily basis to enjoy my time in this country.
Now all I need to do is have one of them introduce me to a big-bootied, long-legged Korean mami to enjoy the bitter winter that shall soon be upon us. My coteach is working on this right now.
Nobody has to be here. If you�re someone that whines about a situation all the time and does nothing about it, you�re probably going to continue with the same actions for quite some time into the future. I doubt it is limited to the experience here. I understand msg brd postings can be a form of therapy, and I won�t apologize for the knucklehead schemes that I see Koreans partake on a daily basis, but your life is what you make it. Either here in the land of the MC or Timbuktu. Enjoy. Try not to ruin it too much for yourself. |
You don't have to teach, you know. You could write for the Korean Herald. |
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J Rock
Joined: 17 Jan 2009
Location: The center of the Earth, Suji
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| Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 3:25 am Post subject: |
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| A girlfriend might help your Blah situation, seriously get one soon. |
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shapeshifter
Joined: 29 Nov 2005
Location: Paris
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| Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 4:37 am Post subject: Re: I don't love Korea. |
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| tophatcat wrote: |
| brickabrack wrote: |
This may serve as info/advice for new folks or taken as a �Life is what you make it� approach.
Culture shock was not something I presumed would affect me much when I arrived to small town, SK some 8 months ago. I�ve lived in Asia and other parts of the world and have adjusted quite well in every circumstance. There are always quirky things you encounter and question why things are done the way they are. You�ll run into that anywhere you go on this planet outside of your comfort zone. Brian, you�re not in L.A. anymore. So, I can understand a lot of the complaints and inquiries on weird happenings in this land.
We live in quite the homogenous country here in SK. There is generally a very narrow-minded viewpoint of most things. You can blame a little of that on govt/industry brainwashing. That kind of thing happens the world over. So, it�s a little easier to make statements, assumptions and comments about a whole group of folks, social norms and general dislikes about a place. Etc. etc. etc
I could list many irritating examples that have been played out here on these boards before, but I won�t. We all know that there are an extraordinary amount of ridiculous happenings and some of them have been done to death.
This particular comment is not a cry for attention or a pat on the back (some posters are unreal/pathetic in their need for �look at me� antics on this board), but of experiences I�ve had in workplaces the world over. I�m generally very well liked by peers, co-workers and bosses everywhere I�ve been. I�m guessing even if I worked for a really crappy organization, that I�d still be happy and enjoy the people at work�..but I would never work for a crappy org, so that example is out the window. Why? Because I don�t jump into employment positions that could be questionable. I don�t see how so many suckers put themselves through it, but someone needs to do it.
Back to it: I�m not a �yes� man. I don�t kowtow. My opinions are strong and laid out for all to bear witness. I admit that I could be more tactful on occasion, but I usually laugh at all the PC BS. At my current gig, it�s not as extreme as in the past. I could possibly be maturing, but that doesn�t normally happen for men until age 55 or so�.I think. My school knows it is a part of who I am, and they love me or act like they do.
Everyone from top to bottom makes an effort to assure Brian is comfortable. So, I try to reciprocate that appreciation as much as possible. I take part in events, dinners and other outings that I am invited to all the time. I even impress my coworkers with my very limited (read terrible) Hangul sometimes. Kicking it with some of them individually has happened on a few occasions. I don�t pretend to love it here, but I do enjoy my situation. I make the best of what I am offered.
Do I still make critical statements about Koreans, SK, the food and other nuances? Yes, but I do that with every race, culture, nation I live in. I also offer praise, feedback, solutions and the like�.as well as an open mind. You won�t get me to admit that Korean fashion is �cool�, that adjossis and adjummas aren�t a strange breed. Or, that I don�t think Korean food is terrible. I�ve tried enough to know it really isn�t that appealing. I do, however, find different things on a daily basis to enjoy my time in this country.
Now all I need to do is have one of them introduce me to a big-bootied, long-legged Korean mami to enjoy the bitter winter that shall soon be upon us. My coteach is working on this right now.
Nobody has to be here. If you�re someone that whines about a situation all the time and does nothing about it, you�re probably going to continue with the same actions for quite some time into the future. I doubt it is limited to the experience here. I understand msg brd postings can be a form of therapy, and I won�t apologize for the knucklehead schemes that I see Koreans partake on a daily basis, but your life is what you make it. Either here in the land of the MC or Timbuktu. Enjoy. Try not to ruin it too much for yourself. |
So, what's your point? |
I have to admit I was wondering the same thing. It's all reasonable enough, I guess. On one hand, X but on the other, Y, etc. I guess you might call it fair and balanced but I found it to be mindnumbingly dull, thoroughly unnecessary and, ironically given your comment about the �look at me� antics on this board, cringe-inducingly full of self-congratulatory asides.
Some advice on giving advice...make it meaningful or at least interesting. Otherwise, it's just a boring exercise in sociological masturbation. Did you even...finish?
SS |
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Old fat expat
Joined: 19 Sep 2005
Location: a caravan of dust, making for a windy prairie
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| Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 6:20 am Post subject: |
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Ah, cut him some slack.
8 months in and hasn't had a decent convo for all this time.
I've been ... somewhere close.
(counts the years) ... many times. |
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Louis VI
Joined: 05 Jul 2010
Location: In my Kingdom
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| Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 6:32 am Post subject: Re: I don't love Korea. |
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| WadRUG'naDoo wrote: |
| You don't have to teach, you know. You could write for the Korean Herald. |
Sounds like he already writes for the Korea Times. |
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curlyhoward
Joined: 03 Dec 2008
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| Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 6:34 am Post subject: Re: I don't love Korea. |
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| shapeshifter wrote: |
| tophatcat wrote: |
| brickabrack wrote: |
This may serve as info/advice for new folks or taken as a �Life is what you make it� approach.
Culture shock was not something I presumed would affect me much when I arrived to small town, SK some 8 months ago. I�ve lived in Asia and other parts of the world and have adjusted quite well in every circumstance. There are always quirky things you encounter and question why things are done the way they are. You�ll run into that anywhere you go on this planet outside of your comfort zone. Brian, you�re not in L.A. anymore. So, I can understand a lot of the complaints and inquiries on weird happenings in this land.
We live in quite the homogenous country here in SK. There is generally a very narrow-minded viewpoint of most things. You can blame a little of that on govt/industry brainwashing. That kind of thing happens the world over. So, it�s a little easier to make statements, assumptions and comments about a whole group of folks, social norms and general dislikes about a place. Etc. etc. etc
I could list many irritating examples that have been played out here on these boards before, but I won�t. We all know that there are an extraordinary amount of ridiculous happenings and some of them have been done to death.
This particular comment is not a cry for attention or a pat on the back (some posters are unreal/pathetic in their need for �look at me� antics on this board), but of experiences I�ve had in workplaces the world over. I�m generally very well liked by peers, co-workers and bosses everywhere I�ve been. I�m guessing even if I worked for a really crappy organization, that I�d still be happy and enjoy the people at work�..but I would never work for a crappy org, so that example is out the window. Why? Because I don�t jump into employment positions that could be questionable. I don�t see how so many suckers put themselves through it, but someone needs to do it.
Back to it: I�m not a �yes� man. I don�t kowtow. My opinions are strong and laid out for all to bear witness. I admit that I could be more tactful on occasion, but I usually laugh at all the PC BS. At my current gig, it�s not as extreme as in the past. I could possibly be maturing, but that doesn�t normally happen for men until age 55 or so�.I think. My school knows it is a part of who I am, and they love me or act like they do.
Everyone from top to bottom makes an effort to assure Brian is comfortable. So, I try to reciprocate that appreciation as much as possible. I take part in events, dinners and other outings that I am invited to all the time. I even impress my coworkers with my very limited (read terrible) Hangul sometimes. Kicking it with some of them individually has happened on a few occasions. I don�t pretend to love it here, but I do enjoy my situation. I make the best of what I am offered.
Do I still make critical statements about Koreans, SK, the food and other nuances? Yes, but I do that with every race, culture, nation I live in. I also offer praise, feedback, solutions and the like�.as well as an open mind. You won�t get me to admit that Korean fashion is �cool�, that adjossis and adjummas aren�t a strange breed. Or, that I don�t think Korean food is terrible. I�ve tried enough to know it really isn�t that appealing. I do, however, find different things on a daily basis to enjoy my time in this country.
Now all I need to do is have one of them introduce me to a big-bootied, long-legged Korean mami to enjoy the bitter winter that shall soon be upon us. My coteach is working on this right now.
Nobody has to be here. If you�re someone that whines about a situation all the time and does nothing about it, you�re probably going to continue with the same actions for quite some time into the future. I doubt it is limited to the experience here. I understand msg brd postings can be a form of therapy, and I won�t apologize for the knucklehead schemes that I see Koreans partake on a daily basis, but your life is what you make it. Either here in the land of the MC or Timbuktu. Enjoy. Try not to ruin it too much for yourself. |
So, what's your point? |
I have to admit I was wondering the same thing. It's all reasonable enough, I guess. On one hand, X but on the other, Y, etc. I guess you might call it fair and balanced but I found it to be mindnumbingly dull, thoroughly unnecessary and, ironically given your comment about the �look at me� antics on this board, cringe-inducingly full of self-congratulatory asides.
Some advice on giving advice...make it meaningful or at least interesting. Otherwise, it's just a boring exercise in sociological masturbation. Did you even...finish?
SS |
I too, thought it was kind of dull. brickabrack just needed to pat himself on the back. |
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Vagabundo
Joined: 26 Aug 2010
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| Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 7:07 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| a big-bootied, long-legged Korean mami |
not to be found on the Korean peninsula, unless you're simply talking about a fat girl with a fat butt. It''ll still be flat though.
so your exercise is doomed to futility.
It's going to be a long and cold winter, but you always have the option to fly out of here during your winter vacation. I suggest you use it. |
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