Korean Job Discussion Forums

[cyui]

Why do Koreans' always ask if you love Korea? Do they wanna hear that you idolize it? It is not God..

Although, it is mostly more positive then negative, nothing should be put upon a pedastole ( the way they want it to be)

[ZIFA]

Its the sort of question that people only realise is really dumb after they have asked it.

Its a bit like "do you love Korean woman?".

Worse yet: "Why aren't you married?".

[cyui]

I know man..it's like ok? Why is the sky blue?

[cyui]

I don't know why..but they always come across as very very dumb.

[tatertot]

[cyui]

Tater-You're not a REAL potato and I don't call anyone black( espically the
pot)

[RMNC]

Korea is a very "all or nothing" society. If you don't love Korea, you must hate it, and therefore you hate the social institutions, the people, food, culture, nightlife, environment, entertainment and lifestyle.

[cyui]

Yeah..it is to extreme in context. Not love or hate.

Most times, we just don't really care.

Yep, that pretty much sums up in the realtionship..Wouldn't you agree M?

[johnnyrook]

On this topic I watched a pretty hilarious program about the Dokdo Festival on Arirang the other day, which featured many humourous assertions about Dokdo clearly being Korean. The dream of the organisers is to grow this festival into a East Sea Festival, and make it the biggest festival in the world (thus, I suspect, instilling in the global consciousness the name 'East Sea' in lieu of 'Sea of Japan').

[NohopeSeriously]

If you speak Korean, Koreans will assume that you will agree everything about the Korean social life (e.g. "your boss is your God" mentality).

[catman]

Not so much nationalism as it is an inferiority complex. We Canadians have it too.

[Globutron]

I don't see it as a remotely Korean thing. Or dumb, or stupid, or all or nothing etc.

I just see the question in the same way as if a friend from spain visits the UK, and I ask them 'how are you finding the uk?'

It's just worded differently. I think it's quite stupid to assume they're asking for you to love it, or you hate it.

[cyui]

It's kind of like a gf/bf relationship-open for "suggestion" and "change" untill
you make your life-long commiment. Hell, Iam not even 100% sure, your "vows" to Korea would mean anything ( ( same rule applies for any other country too).

I mean just because someone loves Korea one year doesn't mean that same 'novelty" will still be there the next and on the flip side, while general consistency is honered; it is neither realistic nor fair to expect someone to have this "commited" love untill death because people do change and grow over time.

and, this does NOT mean your are free for commiting adulterous sin.

[crisdean]

[ESL Milk "Everyday]

It's just one of those things that will happen to you in Korea.

The correct answer is: 'I love it'.

If this isn't enough for them, when they ask you why, just say 'because you live here'. If this still isn't enough, say 'kind people, good food, and I really like my job'.

I guess my point is if you're not willing to at least pretend to be positive about Korea while you're here, then you're going to have a hard time.

Actually, that's the answer to pretty much everything about Korea.