Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Zoisite]

Anyone get this question from their coteacher?

I got this question from one of my coteachers the day I started at work, and naturally said "Yes" (because I am)
This response was met by a fairly strange "OH! I am soo glad"

not soon after, I was coerced constantly to go to her church,
-go to seminars
-"fellowship" meetings filled with people who asked very personal questions I never wanted to share with strangers...
-Strange meetings where a church official would put me in a room and lecture at me for 2 hours using only a swivel-top laptop.
-annoying text messages harassing me to go to more fellowship meetings
- private bible studies at SCHOOL

So recently I decided to go to a learn Korean at a hakwon on sunday, and the same co-teacher started telling me strange things like 'God won't bless my future' and all that since I am going to hakwon on a sunday, even though I mentioned that I managed to make time for another church local to the hakwon, she still makes these comments like "How come you didn't consult our pastor before doing this?" and "If you don't go to the [her] church than you won't be successful because God doesn't want it" , "I don't think you are a born-again Christian". Some remarks she says are very threatening.

My problem is that my coteacher acts very unprofessional at school (if I resist her constant pull), and will show grudges at work or sometimes refuse to talk or eat with me completely.

I had a very easy time up until now doing 21 hours of teaching, but after I resisted her she decided to force the issue that I teach a full 22 hours... stating that in was in my contract to do a FULL 22 hours... however I am pretty sure it just says "up to 22 hours".

At work it is annoying because if anyone ever mentions to her to do additional work she will refuse and say if she has to do it she will retire (for reasons like: doing an after-school class, being an homeroom teacher, being the department head, or even just doing admin work).
She is making everyone's life harder so she can just get paid to just get by.

Ultimately, if I could turn back time, I would never had responded to her initial coercions... as the saying goes "In for a penny, in for a pound"

Anyone have similar experiences, or ways of dealing with this. Should I tell the Principal or something???

[Illysook]

You should think about finding a church of your own and leaving your bulletin out on your desk. PM me and it's likely that I can recommend a church near you.

[southernman]

Tell her to get a life, laugh openly at her next time she says something as absurd as she has been saying.

She sounds like a controlling freak and she's treating you like a simple peasant who needs help and guidance. Why are you putting up with this?
Next time she says something outragious report her, She probably hasn't got any friends at the school anyway with the behavior you have described.

My old Headmaster asked me what church I went to when I first arrived, I said I didn't. We then did not have anything more to do with each other for thetremainder of the year. A situation that (no doubt) suited both of us down to the ground.

[Zoisite]

Report her to whom, exactly???

[Slowmotion]

As someone who formerly went to church, I've come to realize those people have more issues than normal people. I feel like church is a good way for them to project their insecurities onto others to feel better about themselves.

[Harpeau]

That sounds rough. What they call god is a box with a thing inside that they sick onto other people. Try to laugh it off and encourage her to try something more loving. Fear and manipulation are not healthy coping mechanisms.

Next time, don't tip your hand so easliy. Why do you ask? Our relationship is professional. Why are you asking me such a personal question? Don't you think that is inappropriate? I, myself am a christian, but most conservative types likely think that I've lost the plot or something. I honsetly don't care what others think of me. I just think that without love, you're dick.

[Jake_Kim]

Certain group of Korean churchgoers (especially prominent among US-derived Protestants) are somewhat beyond Bible-pushers and zealots, they're borderline cult.

The rule of thumb is to keep a formal, safe distance as far away as possible unless you don't have to face that person ever again and go for a showdown. Make your own excuses so that you don't get pulled in, but do secure 'sympathy votes' from other 'normal' staff members if you can manage. It's doubtful that the official chain of command would do any good on such a delicate issue.

[Zoisite]