Korean Job Discussion Forums

World Traveler · Joined: 29 May 2009

If you could estimate the total number of hours spent on Dave's ESL Cafe, what would it be?

Was it worth it?

Although I learned a lot here (not all of which was worth learning), I feel like ultimately there are better ways to use my time. Moderation is a slippery slope, and I am addicted, so I'm trying to decide whether it is worth coming on here at all, even for just occasional networking.

A lot of good could come out of this site. Potentially. But people clog it up with meanness and stupidity, which is frustrating as all heck.

Unposter wrote something that really stuck with me. He said (from the best of my remembrance):
"Do not come on to the forums to give information or ask for help. You will not get it here. Dave's is like Jerry Springer. After all, it is easier to tear someone down than build them up."

I feel disappointed by the behavior of a lot of posters on here. (I wouldn't necessarily exclude myself.) And I feel disappointed in myself when I think back on the undoubtedly hundreds of hours I've spent on here.

How about you? What are your thoughts? How has this message board impacted your life, positively or negatively?

isisaredead · Joined: 18 May 2010

much like life, i try not to take it too seriously - but i often fail, both here and in life.

i don't know, man. i'm not exactly a stellar representation of this forum, but i have given very useful advice, and received it. i think what Unposter said is pretty inaccurate. (he also strikes me as pretty stuck-up, and takes things WAY too seriously).

my personal reason for contributing to this place is often just for poops and giggles. i find many of the thoughts and opinions quite interesting, for the most part. (i'm not sure why so many people are raggin' on that rap teacher thread - i thought there were plenty of valid points worth debating). i think my time spent here is worth it.

don't take this place too seriously, and you'll get a lot more out of it? i don't know, you could say that about many things in life.

soulofseoul · Joined: 23 Mar 2010 Location: Seoul

Im curious about this too.
Reading pages and pages of dreadful posts by the same posters, makes me wonder if they even work here or are retired :roll:
With all the extra time they spend on here typing, they could have made double their income if they worked instead :lol:

sadguy · Joined: 13 Feb 2011

i've developed an internet addiction because of all this deskwarming. i should be more productive, but im not.

rchristo10 · Joined: 14 Jul 2009

2i2dk1ny2i3 · Joined: 26 Jun 2011

well i would say the time i've spent here thus far has been educational as well as entertaining

i rarely venture outside of OT but see myself doing so much more now that i'm getting closer to going to Korea again

in regards to "meanness" and "stupidity" i don't know how or what other sites you frequent but Dave's is very tame to the type of debauchery that happens on other Sites

niceguysfinishlast · Joined: 24 Jun 2010

Less than 1/2 hr per day. Although now that I have moved to Korea, that number may increase...

DorkothyParker · Joined: 11 Apr 2009 Location: Jeju

I think it's cute that anyone think the internet exists for learning and not pictures of cats and one-upmanship.

Unposter · Joined: 04 Jun 2006

Wow! I didn't expect this one...

I think I once wrote something like You should always take what you read on Dave's with a grain of salt...come to Korea and experience it for yourself and decide for yourself - this was advice to someone who was worried about something about Korea - and sorry I can't remember well.

I've been working in Korea for nearly 14 years now and I got my first job off of Dave's ESL Cafe. (I'm a lifer...) There was hardly a forum at that time and I pretty much forgot the site and plunged myself into the work and my new life in Korea. I had pleny of problems (let me say this again I had PLENTY of problems) my first year in Korea - much of the same stuff that still happens despite the presense of the labor board which was unheard of when I first started.

Anyway, my point is I never went to Dave's for advice. I figured out my problems for myself. Still do. And, I am quite glad I did. (Personally, I never understood why people would want to air their dirty laundry in front of everyone but to each their own.)

Personally, I think excessive Dave's reading can create paranoia and you tend to think that certain issues are on every Korean's mind and they are all thinking this...when it is really limited to what is actually a surprisingly small Dave's community.

There are some incredible posters here - we are all aware of Ttompatz or whatever his name (my apologies to Tom). I am amazed at what he has come to know about Korea. There are some other great and interesting posters, too, my apologies for not mentioning them. But, for the most part, Dave's is a bunch of people who really don't know what they are talking about, looking for fights and debates and just talking past each other.

Now, I still love coming to Dave's. It is great fun. I did compare it to watching the Springer show. I also like Springer. There is something interesting about listining to people's stories of failure and degredation (sp?). It is really a lot of fun. But, except for a few posters, I would be wary about anything you read on this site. It is anonymous and there are plenty of people who just make things up or a ignorant or even border-line racist.

Again, my advice is to go out and experience Korea. It really can be amazing (believe it or not) and take what you read here with a grain of salt.