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World Traveler
Joined: 29 May 2009
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 Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2011 5:28 am Post subject: Korea�s quality of life stagnant: report |
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| The quality of life in Korea is one of the lowest among members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and G20 nations, a Korea Development Institute, report showed Sunday. |
http://www.koreaherald.com/business/Detail.jsp?newsMLId=20110821000186
| Quote: |
| In the social spending subcategory, Korea came last among the 31 comparable countries, while it ranked 28th in terms of health. |
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PatrickGHBusan
Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Location: Busan (1997-2008) Canada 2008 -
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| Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2011 6:35 am Post subject: |
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Why do you want to keep working there?
This is getting interesting with all these negative threads of yours. In fact you are slowly but surely taking up the torch that was left on the ground by RealReality. All you need to be like him and bear his standard are threads with MORE links.  |
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shifty
Joined: 21 Jun 2004
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| Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2011 7:22 am Post subject: |
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Thank you OP for the post.
I believe it important that EFL'ers understand what makes Koreans tick, what makes their life in Korea so frenetic.
In this way they can better tolerate the things that cause friction.
'To know is to understand.' |
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TheUrbanMyth
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Location: Retired
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| Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2011 8:55 pm Post subject: Re: Korea�s quality of life stagnant: report |
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| World Traveler wrote: |
| Quote: |
| The quality of life in Korea is one of the lowest among members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and G20 nations, a Korea Development Institute, report showed Sunday. |
http://www.koreaherald.com/business/Detail.jsp?newsMLId=20110821000186
| Quote: |
| In the social spending subcategory, Korea came last among the 31 comparable countries, while it ranked 28th in terms of health. |
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This is from the Korean Herald who consistently paints gloom-and-doom scenarios in Korea in order to push its agenda. (Yawn...haven't we gone through this at least 3 times before?)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quality-of-life_index
This link puts Korea at number 30 overall in quality of life just behind the U.K at 29.
Puts things into perspective I'd say. |
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OHIO
Joined: 16 Aug 2011
Location: Korea
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| Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2011 9:17 pm Post subject: |
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| It is quite the rat race place to live. I believe that most Koreans are not very happy, they just put up a front. |
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jamesd
Joined: 15 Aug 2011
Location: Korea
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| Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2011 10:08 pm Post subject: |
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While subway and public transportation system in Korea is very nice, my family and I feel very uncomfortable riding in it as people stare at us with no facial expression and rarely smile back.
People generally look unhappy and tired. |
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AsiaESLbound
Joined: 07 Jan 2010
Location: Truck Stop Missouri
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| Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2011 10:26 pm Post subject: |
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| I don't find the English newspaper to have solid credibility over there so I don't take it very serious. The article could relate to the retired war era generation that seem to not be faring well, because they didn't grow up when there were abundant opportunities like there are for middle aged Koreans today allowing them to develop some financial independence. It is clear most of the older people are living rough such as the adjummas in the old markets, but most working adults seem to have the ball rolling well and the cities have excellent and improving amenities like new, but affordable elegant love motels fully decked out in luxury and new infrastructure. Their public transit system is probably one of the best in the world once you know how to read and speak a little so it's encouraging and enabling all the frenetic action over there along with an abundant supply of newer studio apartments. It was just like Korea back home years ago before our time when we had the streetcars and the streets were buzzing with action where you could show some hustle, do some corrupt bribing and brown nosing, dress to impress, and move up in the world through an active lifestyle with no need to drive a car and sit in traffic. I thought it was a huge bump up in the quality of living during my time in Korea even though I had a cheap lower end apartment in a block young people use as a starter place though it was clear they were very stressed out over finances and time constraints and not having a good time. I liked it, because it was very economical, convenient, safe, and walkable. It was apparent to me that the quality of life has risen dramatically so in recent years as there is so much new development, new money ostentatiously flaunted, and the boom trend still has at least 5 solid years left in it so I'm going to go take more advantage of this exciting ride a development era offers. You do pay your dues just as celebrities back home must in that you have no anonymity in public and you are as highly visible as lady Gaga walking down the street. The thing about Korea for us is the pressure of the public's eyes do make you grow weary after many months when they aren't talking to you to let you know what they think. |
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cj1976
Joined: 26 Oct 2005
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| Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 3:18 am Post subject: |
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The apologists on this board probably love Korea more than Koreans. People look miserable here because they most likely are - owing to the lifetime of subordination and obligation that they have to endure.
The suicide rate has to be a fairly clear reflection of how Koreans really feel about life. |
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TheUrbanMyth
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Location: Retired
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| Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 3:27 am Post subject: |
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| cj1976 wrote: |
The apologists on this board probably love Korea more than Koreans. People look miserable here because they most likely are - owing to the lifetime of subordination and obligation that they have to endure.
The suicide rate has to be a fairly clear reflection of how Koreans really feel about life. |
Japan has a higher suicide rate, yet people on here praise Japan to the sky.
As a side note how do you know that the Koreans who DON'T kill themselves feel the same way about life the Koreans who do? That's just silly.
Because by the same token the Canadians/Americans/British who DON'T kill themselves feel the same way about life as the ones who DO kill themselves. 
But hey I can do blanket statements too...
The bashers on this board probably hate Korea more than the Koreans do. |
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PatrickGHBusan
Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Location: Busan (1997-2008) Canada 2008 -
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| Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 3:30 am Post subject: |
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| TheUrbanMyth wrote: |
| cj1976 wrote: |
The apologists on this board probably love Korea more than Koreans. People look miserable here because they most likely are - owing to the lifetime of subordination and obligation that they have to endure.
The suicide rate has to be a fairly clear reflection of how Koreans really feel about life. |
Japan has a higher suicide rate, yet people on here praise Japan to the sky.
As a side note how do you know that the Koreans who DON'T kill themselves feel the same way about life the Koreans who do? That's just silly.
Because by the same token the Canadians/Americans/British who DON'T kill themselves feel the same way about life as the ones who DO kill themselves.
The bashers on this board proably hate Korea more than the Koreans do. |
Urban that is far too much logic and common sense now. This will just not do.
Lets put it simply, the way it works sometimes here:<
Koreans....baaaaaaadddddddddd
Korea....badddddddddddd
End of story.
Moving on to the next such thread.
However what you said was bang on Urban. |
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happiness
Joined: 04 Sep 2010
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| Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 3:31 am Post subject: |
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| its stagnant because the people change too slowly, change only because others do, and theres little individuality. Capitalism is individualism. I got rich to use my money how I want to. Take away that aspect, and you take away the joy of having money (i do agree with supporting your parents is a good thing for sure though) |
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cj1976
Joined: 26 Oct 2005
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| Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 3:45 am Post subject: |
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| PatrickGHBusan wrote: |
| TheUrbanMyth wrote: |
| cj1976 wrote: |
The apologists on this board probably love Korea more than Koreans. People look miserable here because they most likely are - owing to the lifetime of subordination and obligation that they have to endure.
The suicide rate has to be a fairly clear reflection of how Koreans really feel about life. |
Japan has a higher suicide rate, yet people on here praise Japan to the sky.
As a side note how do you know that the Koreans who DON'T kill themselves feel the same way about life the Koreans who do? That's just silly.
Because by the same token the Canadians/Americans/British who DON'T kill themselves feel the same way about life as the ones who DO kill themselves.
The bashers on this board proably hate Korea more than the Koreans do. |
Urban that is far too much logic and common sense now. This will just not do.
Lets put it simply, the way it works sometimes here:<
Koreans....baaaaaaadddddddddd
Korea....badddddddddddd
End of story.
Moving on to the next such thread.
However what you said was bang on Urban. |
I'm no basher, nor do I hate Korea. You don't need to be in a negative state of mind to see how miserable life in Korea is - especially for women. This staunch defence of Korea borders on the absurd sometimes. There is much to say in defence of Korea, but to so stubbornly ignore the blatant truths that are clear to see, is frankly ridiculous. From cradle to grave, life here is fairly prescribed and couple with immense social pressure and expectations that are often impossible to meet. People work too hard, drink too much and spend the rest of their time fulfilling various obligations. Bringing Japan into this is irrelevant to the argument (even if they do have a higher suicide rate, which some studies says isn't the case) |
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TheUrbanMyth
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Location: Retired
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| Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 3:48 am Post subject: |
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| cj1976 wrote: |
| PatrickGHBusan wrote: |
| TheUrbanMyth wrote: |
| cj1976 wrote: |
The apologists on this board probably love Korea more than Koreans. People look miserable here because they most likely are - owing to the lifetime of subordination and obligation that they have to endure.
The suicide rate has to be a fairly clear reflection of how Koreans really feel about life. |
Japan has a higher suicide rate, yet people on here praise Japan to the sky.
As a side note how do you know that the Koreans who DON'T kill themselves feel the same way about life the Koreans who do? That's just silly.
Because by the same token the Canadians/Americans/British who DON'T kill themselves feel the same way about life as the ones who DO kill themselves.
The bashers on this board proably hate Korea more than the Koreans do. |
Urban that is far too much logic and common sense now. This will just not do.
Lets put it simply, the way it works sometimes here:<
Koreans....baaaaaaadddddddddd
Korea....badddddddddddd
End of story.
Moving on to the next such thread.
However what you said was bang on Urban. |
I'm no basher, nor do I hate Korea. You don't need to be in a negative state of mind to see how miserable life in Korea is - especially for women. This staunch defence of Korea borders on the absurd sometimes. There is much to say in defence of Korea, but to so stubbornly ignore the blatant truths that are clear to see, is frankly ridiculous. From cradle to grave, life here is fairly prescribed and couple with immense social pressure and expectations that are often impossible to meet. People work too hard, drink too much and spend the rest of their time fulfilling various obligations. Bringing Japan into this is irrelevant to the argument (even if they do have a higher suicide rate, which some studies says isn't the case) |
Yes, but you were using the the suicide rate to argue that Koreans were miserable and that it was a reflection of life in Korea.
So basically you are arguing that the suicide rate in Korea means that Koreans are miserable but the suicide rate in other countries means something different? Because if you aren't then said suicide rate in other countries IS indeed relevant to the discussion.
You can't have your cake and eat it too. |
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cj1976
Joined: 26 Oct 2005
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| Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 3:55 am Post subject: |
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| TheUrbanMyth wrote: |
| cj1976 wrote: |
| PatrickGHBusan wrote: |
| TheUrbanMyth wrote: |
| cj1976 wrote: |
The apologists on this board probably love Korea more than Koreans. People look miserable here because they most likely are - owing to the lifetime of subordination and obligation that they have to endure.
The suicide rate has to be a fairly clear reflection of how Koreans really feel about life. |
Japan has a higher suicide rate, yet people on here praise Japan to the sky.
As a side note how do you know that the Koreans who DON'T kill themselves feel the same way about life the Koreans who do? That's just silly.
Because by the same token the Canadians/Americans/British who DON'T kill themselves feel the same way about life as the ones who DO kill themselves.
The bashers on this board proably hate Korea more than the Koreans do. |
Urban that is far too much logic and common sense now. This will just not do.
Lets put it simply, the way it works sometimes here:<
Koreans....baaaaaaadddddddddd
Korea....badddddddddddd
End of story.
Moving on to the next such thread.
However what you said was bang on Urban. |
I'm no basher, nor do I hate Korea. You don't need to be in a negative state of mind to see how miserable life in Korea is - especially for women. This staunch defence of Korea borders on the absurd sometimes. There is much to say in defence of Korea, but to so stubbornly ignore the blatant truths that are clear to see, is frankly ridiculous. From cradle to grave, life here is fairly prescribed and couple with immense social pressure and expectations that are often impossible to meet. People work too hard, drink too much and spend the rest of their time fulfilling various obligations. Bringing Japan into this is irrelevant to the argument (even if they do have a higher suicide rate, which some studies says isn't the case) |
Yes, but you were using the the suicide rate to argue that Koreans were miserable and that it was a reflection of life in Korea. Therefore Japan and its suicide rate are extremely relevant to this point as are other countries. |
Maybe Japan is miserable too - I have no idea. It still doesn't change the basic fact that life here isn't exactly peachy, and that the suicide rate is most likely related to societal factors. What is really alarming is that children seem to be killing themselves too. I'm sure that someone posted a link on this site that claimed Korean kids were the least happy in the world. Again, I am no hater because Korea has been good to me, but it doesn't mean I can pretend that there is nothing wrong here... |
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TheUrbanMyth
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Location: Retired
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| Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 4:10 am Post subject: |
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| cj1976 wrote: |
| TheUrbanMyth wrote: |
| cj1976 wrote: |
| PatrickGHBusan wrote: |
| TheUrbanMyth wrote: |
| cj1976 wrote: |
The apologists on this board probably love Korea more than Koreans. People look miserable here because they most likely are - owing to the lifetime of subordination and obligation that they have to endure.
The suicide rate has to be a fairly clear reflection of how Koreans really feel about life. |
Japan has a higher suicide rate, yet people on here praise Japan to the sky.
As a side note how do you know that the Koreans who DON'T kill themselves feel the same way about life the Koreans who do? That's just silly.
Because by the same token the Canadians/Americans/British who DON'T kill themselves feel the same way about life as the ones who DO kill themselves.
The bashers on this board proably hate Korea more than the Koreans do. |
Urban that is far too much logic and common sense now. This will just not do.
Lets put it simply, the way it works sometimes here:<
Koreans....baaaaaaadddddddddd
Korea....badddddddddddd
End of story.
Moving on to the next such thread.
However what you said was bang on Urban. |
I'm no basher, nor do I hate Korea. You don't need to be in a negative state of mind to see how miserable life in Korea is - especially for women. This staunch defence of Korea borders on the absurd sometimes. There is much to say in defence of Korea, but to so stubbornly ignore the blatant truths that are clear to see, is frankly ridiculous. From cradle to grave, life here is fairly prescribed and couple with immense social pressure and expectations that are often impossible to meet. People work too hard, drink too much and spend the rest of their time fulfilling various obligations. Bringing Japan into this is irrelevant to the argument (even if they do have a higher suicide rate, which some studies says isn't the case) |
Yes, but you were using the the suicide rate to argue that Koreans were miserable and that it was a reflection of life in Korea. Therefore Japan and its suicide rate are extremely relevant to this point as are other countries. |
Maybe Japan is miserable too - I have no idea. It still doesn't change the basic fact that life here isn't exactly peachy, and that the suicide rate is most likely related to societal factors. What is really alarming is that children seem to be killing themselves too. I'm sure that someone posted a link on this site that claimed Korean kids were the least happy in the world. Again, I am no hater because Korea has been good to me, but it doesn't mean I can pretend that there is nothing wrong here... |
Actually it was least happy in the OECD and it was (a) wrong and (b) based on outdated information from 2006 as I pointed out in said thread.
Sure there's plenty of things that are wrong here..no one has said otherwise. But there are a lot worse countries out there and we can always vote with our feet and leave if we don't like it here. Biting the hand that feeds you is never a good idea. Ten years ago all one needed to work here was a degree and a pulse. Now we need about ten different documents in triplicate...in large part due to some NETs bad behaviour and the xenophobia sparked from that. |
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