Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sojusucks]

http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2932556

[Chris.Quigley]

Well... I guess this just proves what we already knew. I think that the problem extends beyond just corporate culture in Korea. There is rarely an outing that doesn't involve alcohol.

Koreans need something else to do with their time.

[rumdiary]

These guys go all night without even going into the bathroom to do a bump. Impressive!

[Steelrails]

[orosee]

Pretty accurate description. They forgot the hookers between the karaoke and the hangover soup, but I guess that's off the company clock. Usually I avoid the minor outings (though not the lunch parties, you can drink a bottle or two of soju during these too), but there are certain events that you cannot talk your way out of. And it does help with the status and connections, so if you drink, drink. It's on your clock but on the company dime, I usually get my "payback" by calling in sick for the entire following day (usually a W, T or F). No way am I able to drink myself into a coma until I get home at 4am, just to rise 3 hours later and not be in terrible pain for the following 6 hours. I believe that's why my company has a policy of allowing 1 sick day, no questions asked, per month.

Some of my Korean colleagues can't even remember how we spent the final 2-3 hours of the night (just as well, it involved hookers and they're all married or have g/f) BUT one was then able to get only 3 hours of sleep and drive by himself to Daegu for an important customer visit. I guess that explains the driving style one experiences from 6 am to noon.

Another rule seems to be "one does not talk about booze club". I feel truly sorry about the women who stay on with a bunch of repressed, drunk guys. Can't be too long until we have the first major lawsuit on sexual harrassment during one of those outings. For whatever reason, the women in my company can drink more and longer than the majority of the guys, and have less after effects the next morning. But unlike the guys, they don't start touching everybody and take off their clothes.

One major part of this drinking is apparently that it allows lower employees to talk more frankly to their bosses. I only wonder how much of that is still rememberred the day after.

[Marzipoo]

Obvious chick says just drink slow!

That way you don't look like a non-drinking weenie and you don't get drunk.

[chellovek]

[Patrick Bateman]

[Seoulman69]

This is a major complaint from my Korean friends. They work too many hours, the bosses are grouchy-heads, the drinking sessions are hell.

Two of my friends quit their jobs because it was too much.

Please don't think all Koreans love Korean society. They complain way more than I do.

Other common complaints are: taxi drivers, busy subways, slow walkers, and rude older people.

I could write a book with the crap some of my friends have had to put up with.

Keep in mind most Koreans are good folk, who usually just want to go to bed and sleep.

*ModEdit

[Ruthdes]

[CentralCali]

My public school principal's retirement party was two weeks ago. The entire school staff attended. And nobody caught any grief for not drinking there. I was actually surprised that only about 1/2 of the staff imbibe. The rest of us don't drink. So, yes, it is possible to not succumb and still have a viable career.

[Stalin84]

[pkang0202]

We had forced drinking during University. Back then we called them "parties" and people LIKED IT.

[daeguowl]

[Stalin84]