Korean Job Discussion Forums

[machoman]

a first grade student left me a box of homemade cookies. i was very touched, but then i opened the box and it smelled like imitation butter. then i took a bite and it tasted like ass. i'm still touched though.

[mattdemers]

Be real with them. Tell em' you're trying to cut back, but it's hard because you feel pressured to eat. It's not what you say, it's how you say it.

[Capo]

I just accept put their snacks in my draw and give it to students whenever they come n pester me. regifting makes everyone happy

[Jane]

[quote="NYC_Gal 2.0] I always offer licorice allsorts, but this seems much funnier. My head coteacher had some friends visiting, who are somewhat-higher-ups in the government. I made them some tea, then offered them licorice. It was VERY funny.[/quote]

I've also used All Sorts for vindictive passive-agressive acts of generosity. When I worked in Canada, my company had a Kris-Kringle and I got the name of a guy who I'd had 'trouble' working with. I bought him the Christmas-sized jumbo box of All Sorts.

To the OP, now and then, buy a round of food for everyone. They want to see that you are trying to fit into their circle. As accepting as Koreans are because of the group mentality thing, they can also be highly-exclusive at times.

[ReeseDog]

[young_clinton]

Maybe they want to turn you into a big fat Santa Claus. The children would really like that.

[young_clinton]

[3DR]

[stimpleton]

After being here for a while, I've come to the conclusion that allergies ROCK! I'm allergic to garlic, which is in a surprisingly large number of Korean foods. I can pretty much refuse anything based on the 'it might have garlic' excuse. Most of the time it's even true. So, my co-workers don't get offended when I don't eat stuff.
It's extra good because when I tell them I'm watching my weight (which is true), they just laugh and tell me I don't need to.
And, if anyone has a gigantic box of All Sorts they don't want, send them to me. I love licorice.

[keflyn]

What is so bad about being offered free food? This is properly the most exciting thing I've read about living in Korea! Do they happen to do the same with Alcohol?

[AmericanBornKorean]

[ATM SPIDERTAO]

actually i never got their need to have more than 3 meals a day. like they'd eat and then snack and eat and then snack. so while i was used to eating until i was really full cuz i would have to wait a few hours before my next meal, they'd move on to the next place and eat again! it was weird for me

but now i join in and it's boosted my metabolism! too bad they mostly eat snacks that probably aren't very good for losing weight

these days, i just look really busy. if they offer me food, i put on a big smile and go "no i'm ok! thanks!" and politely and very cheerfully shake my head

and then i pretend to go and run off etc. i try to brush my teeth or at least use mouthwash after putting food in my mouth so it's a huge hassle too.

little kids with their hands giving me food really upsets me tho. like i don't wanna hurt their feelings but it's frankly gross haha

and i've even tried using the excuse "i'm too lazy to peel oranges" and then the person who offers me silently peels an orange and gives it to me! like how a mother would. so i go "OH THANKS!" really working on my old drama skills and go "Damnit" after i eat the orange and brush my teeth =(

[PastorYoon]