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Charlie Bourque
Joined: 27 Jun 2010
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 Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 10:41 pm Post subject: |
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| The Cosmic Hum wrote: |
Nice skillz.
Too bad it sounds like he learned to speak from and like a Korean teenage girl.
I am sure the teenage girls think it is wicked cute for him to talk that way. Oppa fighting!!! 
Props for the language ability just the same.  |
That's the first thing that came to my mind too, haha.
He should learn from a 60 year old adjussi and sound like a badass instead.  |
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kimchipig
Joined: 07 Mar 2008
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| Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2012 8:01 am Post subject: |
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| IncognitoHFX2 wrote: |
| Weigookin74 wrote: |
| kimchipig wrote: |
This debate has been going on for years and there is no simple answer for it. Why, then, are there so many Canadians in Korea? Well, there aren't that many in Japan or China.
Korea is an ESL destination was basically unknown in 1995, which coincided with about the worst job market that Canada ever had. I was one of them nad I ended up in Korea at that time, making bucket loads of money, the likes that have never been seen since. Since that time, pretty strong ties between Korea and Canada have built up, making it easy to recruit in Canada.
It is relatively easier to get a university education in Canada than the USA and this is coupled with the desire of many young Canadians to travel after graduation. This was certainly the case for me. Teaching in Korea financed my travels all over the world. Odd thing was I could be in some really remote place and often bump into an Australian or a Canadian, but rarely an American.
Finally, there is Nova Scotia, a place that pumps put grads every year and cannot employ them. I always surprised me how many Down Homers I met in Korea, loads of them, proportionally way more than their share of Canada's population. You don't see a lot of ESL teachers from prosperous places like British Columbia or Alberta.
Korea is a great place to have a fun experience, get some teaching hours under your belt and make some money for travel. The time I spent in Korea really prepared me to start my career when I returned to Canada. |
Yeah there are a high proportion of maritimers here compared to other parts of Canada. Though I do occasionally meet Ontarians. Rarely, ever see anyone from western Canada, though. But, I revived this thread because I wanted to know post recession if there still as many Canadians here. It seems there are way more Americans, South Africans, etc than before. Now many people go out to work in the oil fields in Alberta more than before?
I just rarely meet fellow Canadians compared to before. It always seems newer teachers are from anywhere but Canada. Only the older expats who stay seem to be Canadian. Just curious what it's like in Seoul, Gyeonggi area? Still lots of Canadians or other nationalities taking over there too? |
I'm from Nova Scotia and 95% of my university graduate friends there, regardless of their major, are making almost minimum wage even five years after graduation. I've been here for five years with no plans of going back just to work hard for little money or be on some waiting list of 500 for a mediocre teaching position in the middle of nowhere.
Go Canada! |
That "waiting list" is no doubt Down Home. I have always found it odd that Down Homers would go to Korea looking for work and not Alberta.
Developing a career takes time. I graduated from my undergrad programme in 1990 and it took a solid five years before I made decent money and another five to make good money in Korea. Then, when I returned to Canada in 2004, I started out at the bottom again. It was another few years to do well. The basic issue is you are not going to start any job at $60k a year, be in in Canada, Korea or the USA. It takes time to gain experience and contacts. After eight years in Canada I am doing very well, much better than I ever did in Korea but it took a lot of hard work to get there.
But youth tend to be impatient. I know I was. |
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Yaya
Joined: 25 Feb 2003
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 9:52 pm Post subject: |
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I agree that time is needed to get a successful career back in North America. Yet I've also read of people itching to come back to Korea despite making it back home, especially since they've gotten a taste of life in Asia.
I for one decided that life in North America wasn't for me after two years in Los Angeles and came back. I have no regrets about that at all.
Ultimately, it's not a right or wrong decision, it's YOUR decision. |
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OBwannabe
Joined: 16 Feb 2008
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| Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 11:03 pm Post subject: |
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| Buddah's Slipper wrote: |
As a Canadian I wish there weren't as many Canadians here. "beep" of all the expats by far.
One major benefit though: living here has wrung every last drop of nationalistic "pride" out of my ripped, sexy body. Living here has really opened my eyes to the beer commercial marketing scam that is Canadian nationalism. And sadly, most Canadians are too dim witted to see it. |
I couldn't agree more. It took a year of living in Korea, followed by a two month hiatus in Canada...then returning for a second contract before my eyes were opened. All of a sudden I couldn't stand being around most other Canucks. Especially the newbies. I'd cringe whenever I'd hear some brainwashed Canadian taking it upon him/herself to educate any Korean on how we do things in "our country". Or how how they would try to point out any and every achievement, no matter how insignificant, as Canadian.
Alas, I was exactly the same my first year.
Overall though, Canucks abroad don't seem to be too bad outside Korea. I think it has a lot to do with the proximity to Americans and Canada's inferiority complex.
But don't get me wrong. The condescension of some Yanks is tough to take.
But living back in Canada amongst these hockey-loving, beer guzzling, brainwashed lumberjacks is even harder to take! |
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Charlie Bourque
Joined: 27 Jun 2010
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| Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 3:27 pm Post subject: |
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| OBwannabe wrote: |
| But living back in Canada amongst these hockey-loving, beer guzzling, brainwashed lumberjacks is even harder to take! |
I fail to see how hockey, beer, and logging are negative qualities.  |
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pegasus64128
Joined: 20 Aug 2011
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| Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 7:52 pm Post subject: |
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| OBwannabe wrote: |
| Buddah's Slipper wrote: |
As a Canadian I wish there weren't as many Canadians here. "beep" of all the expats by far.
One major benefit though: living here has wrung every last drop of nationalistic "pride" out of my ripped, sexy body. Living here has really opened my eyes to the beer commercial marketing scam that is Canadian nationalism. And sadly, most Canadians are too dim witted to see it. |
I couldn't agree more. It took a year of living in Korea, followed by a two month hiatus in Canada...then returning for a second contract before my eyes were opened. All of a sudden I couldn't stand being around most other Canucks. Especially the newbies. I'd cringe whenever I'd hear some brainwashed Canadian taking it upon him/herself to educate any Korean on how we do things in "our country". Or how how they would try to point out any and every achievement, no matter how insignificant, as Canadian.
Alas, I was exactly the same my first year.
Overall though, Canucks abroad don't seem to be too bad outside Korea. I think it has a lot to do with the proximity to Americans and Canada's inferiority complex.
But don't get me wrong. The condescension of some Yanks is tough to take.
But living back in Canada amongst these hockey-loving, beer guzzling, brainwashed lumberjacks is even harder to take! |
I hear you, but at least you're able to identify that you were brainwashed.
It's better than most. I know I was too. I agree with everything u say btw.
Travel opens your mind - it opens it to how everywhere is screwed in some way that is slightly different to the next place. & that's what infuriates open-minded people - they know that every country seems to have some benefits but there's no country that's even close to having all or even most of the benefits you could list in anyone of these countries, exclusive of weather. |
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IncognitoHFX2
Joined: 15 Mar 2012
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| Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 8:59 pm Post subject: |
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| kimchipig wrote: |
That "waiting list" is no doubt Down Home. I have always found it odd that Down Homers would go to Korea looking for work and not Alberta.
Developing a career takes time. I graduated from my undergrad programme in 1990 and it took a solid five years before I made decent money and another five to make good money in Korea. Then, when I returned to Canada in 2004, I started out at the bottom again. It was another few years to do well. The basic issue is you are not going to start any job at $60k a year, be in in Canada, Korea or the USA. It takes time to gain experience and contacts. After eight years in Canada I am doing very well, much better than I ever did in Korea but it took a lot of hard work to get there.
But youth tend to be impatient. I know I was. |
What is "Down Home"? First time I've heard that expression. |
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kimchipig
Joined: 07 Mar 2008
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| Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 10:39 am Post subject: |
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| Yaya wrote: |
I agree that time is needed to get a successful career back in North America. Yet I've also read of people itching to come back to Korea despite making it back home, especially since they've gotten a taste of life in Asia.
I for one decided that life in North America wasn't for me after two years in Los Angeles and came back. I have no regrets about that at all.
Ultimately, it's not a right or wrong decision, it's YOUR decision. |
Very well said. I am very fond of Asia and living in Vancouver gives one the opportunity of experiencing quite a lot of Asian culture and still being near friends, family and, of course, a much cleaner environment.
Sometimes I miss Korea of 1995 but in a way it is really just hearkening back to my youth. Those days are long gone! |
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wylies99
Joined: 13 May 2006
Location: I'm one cool cat!
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| Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 6:44 pm Post subject: |
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| I love it when Canadians claim that taxes are low in Canada. Reality says otherwise. |
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Captain Corea
Joined: 28 Feb 2005
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 6:50 pm Post subject: |
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| wylies99 wrote: |
| I love it when Canadians claim that taxes are low in Canada. Reality says otherwise. |
Odd. In my entire life I don't recall a Canadian saying that. |
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wylies99
Joined: 13 May 2006
Location: I'm one cool cat!
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| Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 7:51 pm Post subject: |
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| Captain Corea wrote: |
| wylies99 wrote: |
| I love it when Canadians claim that taxes are low in Canada. Reality says otherwise. |
Odd. In my entire life I don't recall a Canadian saying that. |
I've heard it mumbled more than once in Seoul Pub and Rocky Mountain Tavern. |
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wylies99
Joined: 13 May 2006
Location: I'm one cool cat!
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| Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 7:53 pm Post subject: |
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| OBwannabe wrote: |
| Buddah's Slipper wrote: |
As a Canadian I wish there weren't as many Canadians here. "beep" of all the expats by far.
One major benefit though: living here has wrung every last drop of nationalistic "pride" out of my ripped, sexy body. Living here has really opened my eyes to the beer commercial marketing scam that is Canadian nationalism. And sadly, most Canadians are too dim witted to see it. |
I couldn't agree more. It took a year of living in Korea, followed by a two month hiatus in Canada...then returning for a second contract before my eyes were opened. All of a sudden I couldn't stand being around most other Canucks. Especially the newbies. I'd cringe whenever I'd hear some brainwashed Canadian taking it upon him/herself to educate any Korean on how we do things in "our country". Or how how they would try to point out any and every achievement, no matter how insignificant, as Canadian.
Alas, I was exactly the same my first year.
Overall though, Canucks abroad don't seem to be too bad outside Korea. I think it has a lot to do with the proximity to Americans and Canada's inferiority complex.
But don't get me wrong. The condescension of some Yanks is tough to take.
But living back in Canada amongst these hockey-loving, beer guzzling, brainwashed lumberjacks is even harder to take! |
Especially when some clod writes to the Korea Times about marijuana. At least that hasn't happened for a while. |
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The Cosmic Hum
Joined: 09 May 2003
Location: Sonic Space
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| Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 9:14 pm Post subject: |
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| wylies99 wrote: |
| Captain Corea wrote: |
| wylies99 wrote: |
| I love it when Canadians claim that taxes are low in Canada. Reality says otherwise. |
Odd. In my entire life I don't recall a Canadian saying that. |
I've heard it mumbled more than once in Seoul Pub and Rocky Mountain Tavern. |
Well...the sources that mumbled it to you probably never held jobs in Canada...right from getting drunk in university to getting drunk in Itaewon.
One pretty common thing that working Canadians do complain about a fair bit is the high taxes that they pay compared to say the States. |
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Weigookin74
Joined: 26 Oct 2009
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| Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 4:57 pm Post subject: |
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| The Cosmic Hum wrote: |
| wylies99 wrote: |
| Captain Corea wrote: |
| wylies99 wrote: |
| I love it when Canadians claim that taxes are low in Canada. Reality says otherwise. |
Odd. In my entire life I don't recall a Canadian saying that. |
I've heard it mumbled more than once in Seoul Pub and Rocky Mountain Tavern. |
Well...the sources that mumbled it to you probably never held jobs in Canada...right from getting drunk in university to getting drunk in Itaewon.
One pretty common thing that working Canadians do complain about a fair bit is the high taxes that they pay compared to say the States. |
The country has changed a lot in recent years, ever since our debt crisis in the 1990's. We cut spending and then taxes. If you live in Western Canada, taxes are much lower. If you live in the east or Quebec, they are much higher. But they have come down everywhere. One only need compare the rates on wikipedia or elsewhere between the US, Canada, Europe, etc. Canada's tax rates are comparible to the US and lower in some cases depending on where you live. In Canada, first 10 K of income is not taxed. US, you're taxed on first dollar you make.
I was 28 K income several years back in Canada, I recalled total deductions including pension, taxes, etc were about 12 or 13 per cent of my total income. I spoke to some Americans, maybe one from New York and another from North Carolina. They both claimed to have lost almost 25 per cent of their income from deductions. The were around 24 or 25 K income maybe.
I make the same or even less here. But the lower taxes and lower cost of livign make me best off here. Plus living in the west doesn't appeal to me. The higher exchange rate made it easier to pay debts than now. But, I guess it's still ok compared to back home. |
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Stan Rogers
Joined: 20 Aug 2010
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| Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 5:30 pm Post subject: |
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| Weigookin74 wrote: |
| The Cosmic Hum wrote: |
| wylies99 wrote: |
| Captain Corea wrote: |
| wylies99 wrote: |
| I love it when Canadians claim that taxes are low in Canada. Reality says otherwise. |
Odd. In my entire life I don't recall a Canadian saying that. |
I've heard it mumbled more than once in Seoul Pub and Rocky Mountain Tavern. |
Well...the sources that mumbled it to you probably never held jobs in Canada...right from getting drunk in university to getting drunk in Itaewon.
One pretty common thing that working Canadians do complain about a fair bit is the high taxes that they pay compared to say the States. |
The country has changed a lot in recent years, ever since our debt crisis in the 1990's. We cut spending and then taxes. If you live in Western Canada, taxes are much lower. If you live in the east or Quebec, they are much higher. But they have come down everywhere. One only need compare the rates on wikipedia or elsewhere between the US, Canada, Europe, etc. Canada's tax rates are comparible to the US and lower in some cases depending on where you live. In Canada, first 10 K of income is not taxed. US, you're taxed on first dollar you make.
I was 28 K income several years back in Canada, I recalled total deductions including pension, taxes, etc were about 12 or 13 per cent of my total income. I spoke to some Americans, maybe one from New York and another from North Carolina. They both claimed to have lost almost 25 per cent of their income from deductions. The were around 24 or 25 K income maybe.
I make the same or even less here. But the lower taxes and lower cost of livign make me best off here. Plus living in the west doesn't appeal to me. The higher exchange rate made it easier to pay debts than now. But, I guess it's still ok compared to back home. |
12-13%? Really? What tax cuts? To my knowledge, income tax is still the same as it's always been, unless your a corporation. I recall taxes being much higher in Canada. Let's not forget the double digit sales taxes there too.
I often have heard Canadians say there is no middle class in Canada. Most people there are part of a massive working class in debt to their eyeballs. |
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