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rchristo10
Joined: 14 Jul 2009
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 Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2011 5:55 pm Post subject: |
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What do I wish I knew before coming...
(some negative and positive)
1. How long I'd be here. (Would have taken more reminders of that former home with me before I left...pictures, books, childhood reminders/ memoirs).
2. The horrible lack of *proper* junk food here (and assumption that that's a good thing...despite the economic notion that more options raises utility not vice-versa). 
3. That everything baked would become pretty obsolete, even though you have a stove.
4. The convenience and overall appreciation that Brook Stevens should get for making the first electronic clothes dryer in France. Those fabric softener sheets have new high-class meaning for me now and I always walk a bit taller when I buy them at Costco. 
5. The death of *real* dill pickles and good *cheap* cheese was imminent.
6. That Koreans only see things in years (not 3-month, 6-month, even 9-month intervals--had a friend who "refused" to deliver her baby on time because it was too close to her [the child bearer's] birthday).
7. The amazingly intense view that I should have known more about Korea and its history before coming to the country. This includes obscure names and places.
8. The cool transportation system. And the idea that not being in Seoul has a great deal to do with where else you'd be located and how close that area would be to the nearest bus stop or subway.
9. The huge number of taxis that can help you get to and fro. (And the sometimes overbearing attitudes of the drivers)
10. The names of more animals and plants that would help facilitate translations of foods into English (메추리 알, 엿...and the like).
11. The lack of deodorant and inconvenience of getting ones favorite kinds in Korea (came here a while back).
12. The irony. Most people feel that learning English is a must (in Seoul), but fail to understand why speaking or writing things in English for people who don't speak Korean is a must or even worthy of their time. Still shocked at how some Korean restaurants in areas where many foreigners frequent don't write their menus in English or even have pictures on the menu.
13. The general agreeability of everyone. People don't seem to have a capacity to argue/ disagree with one another in group settings. And when disagreement takes over, rumors and back talking seems to become the weapon of choice outside of the classroom setting. Constructive criticism is seen as a social evil (that is, unless everyone agrees with the criticism).
14. The overwhelming hegemony of English here. I've been to China and Japan and it seems to be a pretty strong **natural** emphasis on the native language on signs and menus as mentioned before. And generally, people don't seem to be so preoccupied with trying to create a pseudo-HK, Singapore educational regime.
15. The overwhelming power & respect for teachers! (God hath no wrath like a Korean teacher scorned.)
16. The emphasis on test scores, certifications, and credentials.
17. Encounters with the third kind and an altogether different specie: the adjuma.
18. The freedom and extent of free Internet (the harm & benefits of it being everywhere and at everyone's easy access).
19. The yummy 맛소금, salt, here.
20. That I would get used to loving Korean food and the people so much so that I'd stay to learn as much about them as possible.
Last edited by rchristo10 on Wed Sep 14, 2011 7:23 pm; edited 3 times in total |
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Steelrails
Joined: 12 Mar 2009
Location: Earth, Solar System
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| Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2011 5:58 pm Post subject: |
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| PastorYoon wrote: |
Most of these Koreans could give two rips about the well-being of a foreigner. I was on the subway last night, and I was leaning against the door. It was pretty crowded, and I prefer not to turn into the door - nearly pressing my face against it. Anyway, this old Korean man starts telling me in banmal that I should be facing the door, and starts grabbing my arm. I said "manjijima". Then, he started hitting me with his cane and talking a bit louder at me, as to show his power. I had to physically grab this old guy and push him back, in order to prevent him from hitting me any further. A younger Korean man then took him away from me.
I can understand that maybe the guy was in a bad mood, and that we were getting close to the station, so maybe he thought I didn't know I had to turn around to face the door. I knew that I had to exit the door. However, this guy had no right to start hitting me with his cane. These people act so ridiculous sometimes, it's not even funny. Who do these older Koreans think they are? They think they rule the world. Seriously. |
The sign says "Don't Lean Against the Door". In part because of safety reasons. Would you rather the door open and you get bulldozed by the incoming heard or lose your balance and fall on your butt? |
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Draz
Joined: 27 Jun 2007
Location: Land of Morning Clam
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| Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2011 8:30 pm Post subject: |
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| Steelrails wrote: |
| PastorYoon wrote: |
Most of these Koreans could give two rips about the well-being of a foreigner. I was on the subway last night, and I was leaning against the door. It was pretty crowded, and I prefer not to turn into the door - nearly pressing my face against it. Anyway, this old Korean man starts telling me in banmal that I should be facing the door, and starts grabbing my arm. I said "manjijima". Then, he started hitting me with his cane and talking a bit louder at me, as to show his power. I had to physically grab this old guy and push him back, in order to prevent him from hitting me any further. A younger Korean man then took him away from me.
I can understand that maybe the guy was in a bad mood, and that we were getting close to the station, so maybe he thought I didn't know I had to turn around to face the door. I knew that I had to exit the door. However, this guy had no right to start hitting me with his cane. These people act so ridiculous sometimes, it's not even funny. Who do these older Koreans think they are? They think they rule the world. Seriously. |
The sign says "Don't Lean Against the Door". In part because of safety reasons. Would you rather the door open and you get bulldozed by the incoming heard or lose your balance and fall on your butt? |
That sounds terrible, being assaulted is surely preferable to a bit of -gasp- shoving.  |
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PastorYoon
Joined: 25 Jun 2010
Location: Sea of Japan
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| Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2011 10:20 pm Post subject: |
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| Steelrails wrote: |
The sign says "Don't Lean Against the Door". In part because of safety reasons. |
I know what the sign says, Steelrails.
| Steelrails wrote: |
Would you rather the door open and you get bulldozed by the incoming heard or lose your balance and fall on your butt? |
Those may be your only options, don't assume they are mine. I can walk just fine, thank you. I also prefer to walk out the door without some idiot Korean hitting me with a cane, thinking he is in some sort of powerful position where this is acceptable behavior.
The problem here is that Koreans know they are protected. They can assault foreigners without fear of being arrested. No cop is going to listen to the foreigner, anyway, so it's useless to even try. The cop wiuld have to bow to this guy. A nice reminder for me during the holiday season: Koreans are allowed to hit you, if they please. |
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Steelrails
Joined: 12 Mar 2009
Location: Earth, Solar System
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| Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2011 10:40 pm Post subject: |
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| PastorYoon wrote: |
| Steelrails wrote: |
The sign says "Don't Lean Against the Door". In part because of safety reasons. |
I know what the sign says, Steelrails.
| Steelrails wrote: |
Would you rather the door open and you get bulldozed by the incoming heard or lose your balance and fall on your butt? |
Those may be your only options, don't assume they are mine. I can walk just fine, thank you. I also prefer to walk out the door without some idiot Korean hitting me with a cane, thinking he is in some sort of powerful position where this is acceptable behavior.
The problem here is that Koreans know they are protected. They can assault foreigners without fear of being arrested. No cop is going to listen to the foreigner, anyway, so it's useless to even try. The cop wiuld have to bow to this guy. A nice reminder for me during the holiday season: Koreans are allowed to hit you, if they please. |
Maybe he hit you with the cane because you were being in the way.
Old people take it out on the young here. In that sense he was treating you just the same as everyone else. So no racism.
And guess what foreigners can be protected. They just have to able to speak Korean and know how to call in favors and who to talk to. Welcome to being an immigrant.
And assaulted? Please. If that's the worst assault you ever face in your life you are lucky. Seriously an old guy nudging you with his cane? Do you need an ice pack and a bandage for your "assault"?
Good grief. Assault. Cawk.
Bottom line: For your safety and they safety of others you aren't supposed to lean against the door. Don't do it.
And if Koreans really believed they could beat us up for now reason and form lynch mobs, they'd have done so, at least if you believe the basher propaganda about how much we are hated here.
Please, the mean streets of Korea. Please. If you think you have no protection from random people on the street here, go over to Gratiot Ave. back in Detroit. Heck, even some Trailer Parks in Ypsilanti.
Mean Streets of Korea. |
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PastorYoon
Joined: 25 Jun 2010
Location: Sea of Japan
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| Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2011 10:49 pm Post subject: |
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| Draz wrote: |
| Steelrails wrote: |
| PastorYoon wrote: |
Most of these Koreans could give two rips about the well-being of a foreigner. I was on the subway last night, and I was leaning against the door. It was pretty crowded, and I prefer not to turn into the door - nearly pressing my face against it. Anyway, this old Korean man starts telling me in banmal that I should be facing the door, and starts grabbing my arm. I said "manjijima". Then, he started hitting me with his cane and talking a bit louder at me, as to show his power. I had to physically grab this old guy and push him back, in order to prevent him from hitting me any further. A younger Korean man then took him away from me.
I can understand that maybe the guy was in a bad mood, and that we were getting close to the station, so maybe he thought I didn't know I had to turn around to face the door. I knew that I had to exit the door. However, this guy had no right to start hitting me with his cane. These people act so ridiculous sometimes, it's not even funny. Who do these older Koreans think they are? They think they rule the world. Seriously. |
The sign says "Don't Lean Against the Door". In part because of safety reasons. Would you rather the door open and you get bulldozed by the incoming heard or lose your balance and fall on your butt? |
That sounds terrible, being assaulted is surely preferable to a bit of -gasp- shoving. |
Yeah. Steelrails is such an idiot. He scrambles to defend some Korean idiot he doesn't even know before admitting this guy went too far. Gotta defend your country at all costs - even if it makes you look like a comPorte moron, right Steelrails? |
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Steelrails
Joined: 12 Mar 2009
Location: Earth, Solar System
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| Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2011 10:52 pm Post subject: |
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| PastorYoon wrote: |
| Draz wrote: |
| Steelrails wrote: |
| PastorYoon wrote: |
Most of these Koreans could give two rips about the well-being of a foreigner. I was on the subway last night, and I was leaning against the door. It was pretty crowded, and I prefer not to turn into the door - nearly pressing my face against it. Anyway, this old Korean man starts telling me in banmal that I should be facing the door, and starts grabbing my arm. I said "manjijima". Then, he started hitting me with his cane and talking a bit louder at me, as to show his power. I had to physically grab this old guy and push him back, in order to prevent him from hitting me any further. A younger Korean man then took him away from me.
I can understand that maybe the guy was in a bad mood, and that we were getting close to the station, so maybe he thought I didn't know I had to turn around to face the door. I knew that I had to exit the door. However, this guy had no right to start hitting me with his cane. These people act so ridiculous sometimes, it's not even funny. Who do these older Koreans think they are? They think they rule the world. Seriously. |
The sign says "Don't Lean Against the Door". In part because of safety reasons. Would you rather the door open and you get bulldozed by the incoming heard or lose your balance and fall on your butt? |
That sounds terrible, being assaulted is surely preferable to a bit of -gasp- shoving. |
Yeah. Steelrails is such an idiot. He scrambles to defend some Korean idiot he doesn't even know before admitting this guy went too far. Gotta defend your country at all costs - even if it makes you look like a comPorte moron, right Steelrails? |
Fine I'll agree to that, if you agree that you'll whine about everything under the sun, even if it makes you seem like a spoiled, helpless, delusional nestling.
Assault. Koreans on the streets out to get you. Uh-huh, right.
Don't lean on the door. It's unsafe for you and the people boarding. |
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PastorYoon
Joined: 25 Jun 2010
Location: Sea of Japan
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| Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2011 11:02 pm Post subject: |
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| Steelrails wrote: |
| PastorYoon wrote: |
| Steelrails wrote: |
The sign says "Don't Lean Against the Door". In part because of safety reasons. |
I know what the sign says, Steelrails.
| Steelrails wrote: |
Would you rather the door open and you get bulldozed by the incoming heard or lose your balance and fall on your butt? |
Those may be your only options, don't assume they are mine. I can walk just fine, thank you. I also prefer to walk out the door without some idiot Korean hitting me with a cane, thinking he is in some sort of powerful position where this is acceptable behavior.
The problem here is that Koreans know they are protected. They can assault foreigners without fear of being arrested. No cop is going to listen to the foreigner, anyway, so it's useless to even try. The cop wiuld have to bow to this guy. A nice reminder for me during the holiday season: Koreans are allowed to hit you, if they please. |
Maybe he hit you with the cane because you were being in the way.
Old people take it out on the young here. In that sense he was treating you just the same as everyone else. So no racism.
And guess what foreigners can be protected. They just have to able to speak Korean and know how to call in favors and who to talk to. Welcome to being an immigrant.
And assaulted? Please. If that's the worst assault you ever face in your life you are lucky. Seriously an old guy nudging you with his cane? Do you need an ice pack and a bandage for your "assault"?
Good grief. Assault. Cawk.
Bottom line: For your safety and they safety of others you aren't supposed to lean against the door. Don't do it.
And if Koreans really believed they could beat us up for now reason and form lynch mobs, they'd have done so, at least if you believe the basher propaganda about how much we are hated here.
Please, the mean streets of Korea. Please. If you think you have no protection from random people on the street here, go over to Gratiot Ave. back in Detroit. Heck, even some Trailer Parks in Ypsilanti.
Mean Streets of Korea. |
How hard the guy hit me is not the issue. The issue is that he hit me. Do you realize how foolish you make yourself look when you type on this site? |
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PastorYoon
Joined: 25 Jun 2010
Location: Sea of Japan
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| Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2011 11:11 pm Post subject: |
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| Nothing you say can justify the old man's actions of hitting me with his cane. Even if I was in the wrong, it still doesn't make him right. It doesn't matter how much you desperately want to protect Korea, either. You try to shift the focus in every argument. It's really weak. |
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Steelrails
Joined: 12 Mar 2009
Location: Earth, Solar System
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| Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2011 11:12 pm Post subject: |
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| PastorYoon wrote: |
| Steelrails wrote: |
| PastorYoon wrote: |
| Steelrails wrote: |
The sign says "Don't Lean Against the Door". In part because of safety reasons. |
I know what the sign says, Steelrails.
| Steelrails wrote: |
Would you rather the door open and you get bulldozed by the incoming heard or lose your balance and fall on your butt? |
Those may be your only options, don't assume they are mine. I can walk just fine, thank you. I also prefer to walk out the door without some idiot Korean hitting me with a cane, thinking he is in some sort of powerful position where this is acceptable behavior.
The problem here is that Koreans know they are protected. They can assault foreigners without fear of being arrested. No cop is going to listen to the foreigner, anyway, so it's useless to even try. The cop wiuld have to bow to this guy. A nice reminder for me during the holiday season: Koreans are allowed to hit you, if they please. |
Maybe he hit you with the cane because you were being in the way.
Old people take it out on the young here. In that sense he was treating you just the same as everyone else. So no racism.
And guess what foreigners can be protected. They just have to able to speak Korean and know how to call in favors and who to talk to. Welcome to being an immigrant.
And assaulted? Please. If that's the worst assault you ever face in your life you are lucky. Seriously an old guy nudging you with his cane? Do you need an ice pack and a bandage for your "assault"?
Good grief. Assault. Cawk.
Bottom line: For your safety and they safety of others you aren't supposed to lean against the door. Don't do it.
And if Koreans really believed they could beat us up for now reason and form lynch mobs, they'd have done so, at least if you believe the basher propaganda about how much we are hated here.
Please, the mean streets of Korea. Please. If you think you have no protection from random people on the street here, go over to Gratiot Ave. back in Detroit. Heck, even some Trailer Parks in Ypsilanti.
Mean Streets of Korea. |
How hard the guy hit me is not the issue. The issue is that he hit me. Do you realize how foolish you make yourself look when you type on this site? |
So basically you're one of those diving soccer players who rolls around on the ground looking for a yellow card on the other player and then hops up all fine when no one throws one out.
Yeah, full of sympathy for ya.... |
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PastorYoon
Joined: 25 Jun 2010
Location: Sea of Japan
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| Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2011 11:36 pm Post subject: |
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| "So basically (insert shift of blame / focus here)..." |
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Koharski
Mod Team
Joined: 20 Jul 2009
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| Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2011 12:05 am Post subject: |
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OK, children. That's enough. Take it to PMs if you want to continue this immature internet battle you seem to want to have.
Koharski |
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sojusucks
Joined: 31 May 2008
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| Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2011 2:52 pm Post subject: |
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More things I wish I knew
1) Save money. There are many positive reasons for this but, in Korea, many teachers re-sign with schools they despise because they are broke and can't afford to leave. Don't let this happen to you.
2) Don't pour your heart out to anyone at work, even people you consider to be friends. Don't let anyone know that you are sad or depressed. There are no secrets in the Korean workplace and word will get to the top. Depressed people are easy to manipulate. Don't let this happen to you.
3) Change the locks when you move into a new apartment and don't give anyone else the keys.
4) Don't accumulate too much "stuff" because, unless you find a great job right off the airplane, you will probably move around quite a bit. |
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rchristo10
Joined: 14 Jul 2009
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| Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2011 6:35 pm Post subject: |
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| sojusucks wrote: |
2) Don't pour your heart out to anyone at work, even people you consider to be friends. Don't let anyone know that you are sad or depressed. There are no secrets in the Korean workplace and word will get to the top. Depressed people are easy to manipulate. Don't let this happen to you.
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+1 w/ extension: Don't pour your heart out to anyone in Korea. There's a saying in Korean (and could perhaps extend to many of the transient workers here---English teachers, and the like): "You only meet friends in high school." Remember that when you're getting so close to people (aside from lovers) and feel that spreading your weaknesses about in a cathartic hiccup will make you feel great and less emotionally congested. You feel great in the short term, but the burn afterward could be deep; LEARN TO CALL HOME (and keep up the habit if you already do). |
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ulanalee
Joined: 30 May 2011
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| Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 5:08 am Post subject: |
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| I wish I knew that my body would have a very hard time adjusting. I would have brought many more familiar medications with me because while I was hardly ever sick at home I have had one problem after another during my first month here. |
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