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matthewwoodford
Joined: 01 Oct 2003
Location: Location, location, location.
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 Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 5:08 pm Post subject: |
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| jajdude wrote: |
I guess if you are happy and secure with yourself it shouldn't matter.
Heard on "Arirang" TV about some silly poll recently that said around 60% of Koreans are concerned with their weight! Unbelievable as it seems only maybe 6% are overweight (mostly guys over 40 I think) and more than that, maybe more than 10% ....?..... are underweight.
I know this will not be appreciated by some, but I think you are coming to a nation of very insecure people. As such they will react through that insecurity. Of course secure people do not act like so many Koreans do. That is why many Koreans have little class.
Yes, I know, lots of them are great and cool and all..... |
I don't see how you can draw the conclusion that Korean people are insecure solely on the basis of their perception of obesity. It's simply that the standard of obesity is different here, that's all - not surprising considering that obesity is a relative term. You can judge everything here by North American standards if you want but then you won't understand the Korean point of view.
As for the OP, they'll hire you they'll just continually remind you you're overweight. Koreans discussing people's looks have as much sensitivity as if they were discussing an animal or a building or whatever. I'm still not used to it but it's interesting. |
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Flex Bulkchest
Joined: 06 Jul 2003
Location: currently?...I don't know it's a room, with a computer....
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| Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 7:14 pm Post subject: |
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ha...i'm about 5'9, 170 i was on 2 university varity teams, including cross-country, i'm in the gym everyday after school, i think i'm pretty cut, but i still get the occaisional korean telling me i'm getting fat...you just gotta laugh  |
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matthews_world
Joined: 15 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 7:23 pm Post subject: |
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| l'il kim wrote: |
| I'm a kyopo who's 5'3 and 130 lbs (size 8 in the US), and half the time I can't find clothes that fit in regular stores. I've also been told a few times in advance not to bother, because they didn't have anything inmy size. Needless to say, it's very depressing. |
Kim, are u saying that you are large for your height?
I'd go out with you.
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jajdude
Joined: 18 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2004 6:14 am Post subject: |
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| matthewwoodford wrote: |
I don't see how you can draw the conclusion that Korean people are insecure solely on the basis of their perception of obesity. |
I don't draw that conclusion solely on that basis. I draw it from about 5 years' experience of living in Korea. I see insecurity regarding a lot of things. Hell, these things are probably just as true the world over. Maybe it just seems truer here in Korea somehow.
What I'm referring to is insecurity due to not being familiar with foreigners or foreign languages. They are trying to improve but I still sense (and I might just be paranoid and insecure myself of course) a lot of "freakiness" in their reactions to foreigners and English or other languages.
Plus it is a very competitive society. Everyone trying to get the "right" education for the right job. And so much emphasis placed on physical appearance. It's like they are often more interested in the packaging that the contents.
In the teaching EFL industry they are not really committed to learning English. Not as long as they discriminatorily hire the right image foreigner. To be serious about learning this language they need to forget the appearance a bit and focus on ability. They restrict their selection too much by disregarding lots of qualified people. Not all employers, but many are like this. They think the parents won't want a black guy, or the kids will be scared or whatever other nonsense they say to hide their bigotry. If they won't hire a person because of weight, color or age, that shows a lot of insecurity in my view.
(waiting for the "but it's a business" reply... the best business provides the best people, not the cutest... this is not a modelling gig)
P.S. matthew, your pic is too big, we're all off to the right side here |
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matthewwoodford
Joined: 01 Oct 2003
Location: Location, location, location.
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| Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2004 6:55 am Post subject: |
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| jajdude wrote: |
| In the teaching EFL industry they are not really committed to learning English. |
I like this quote!  That's the big secret: Koreans don't really want to learn English! ...They want to pass exams and get good jobs is all. |
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sadsac
Joined: 22 Dec 2003
Location: Gwangwang
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| Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2004 6:56 am Post subject: |
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Come on down. I was a 155kg when I first arrived, now I'm a trim 136kg. It's never been a problem, as long as you don't mind everybody telling you, that you should go on a diet.  |
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Falstaff
Joined: 14 Jan 2004
Location: Ansan
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| Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2004 12:04 pm Post subject: |
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| marista99 wrote: |
| Falstaff wrote: |
| I had a good job here, but am going to Korea to escape the paperwork and testing nightmare that is American education. |
Uh, judging from what I've heard about Korean hogwans, if these things bother you you'd probably be better off staying in the US. |
I've heard the same thing. That's why my job isn't in a hogwan.  |
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rapier
Joined: 16 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2004 12:49 am Post subject: |
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I'm 5"10 and 64 kilos, and the only problem I've had is Koreans telling me I should put on weight, I think they love "well-covered" people.... an extra cup of sinramyon every day seems to be doing the trick.
They're as prejudiced to underweight as they are to overweight, if its any consolation. You have to be perfect in this country.
If you want to lose weight, try this:
a) take up smoking (goes well with the lifestyle here)
b) get a job with long hours, so you're always bus and can skip a few meals.
c) Hit that treadmill at the gym.
d) Drink a lot of spirits and less beer, takes away your appetite.
e) Allow yourself to fall deeply in love with some bi*ch who never returns your phone calls. Likewise takes your appetite away.
All the above tips work absolute wonders. |
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shortskirt_longjacket
Joined: 06 Jun 2004
Location: fitz and ernie are my raison d'etre
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| Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2004 6:23 am Post subject: |
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| rapier wrote: |
e) Allow yourself to fall deeply in love with some bi*ch who never returns your phone calls. Likewise takes your appetite away. |
that's the goddamned truth, isn't it? heh.
to the OP: are you coming to korea with the intention of losing weight? or do you think it's just something that will happen? i dunno...there's a lot of good food here and for all the chatter about how healthy korean food is, there's a lot of it that's worse for you than pizza and beer. sam gap sal (sp?), anyone? want a little meat with your fat? (dude, the stuff is like bacon on crack). and koreans have as much deep fried crap as back home...so beware.
and seriously, take up a totally dysfunctional, one-sided relationship and you'll be fine. |
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captain kirk
Joined: 29 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2004 6:57 am Post subject: |
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'...refused memberships to a gym because the owners thought people would see the fat guy and think the gym was no good'. Man, that's funny.
I'm technically fat, I guess (five ten and 110kilos). After the third month it just wasn't an issue and just slipped away. There were touchings of the belly and remarks about 'going to have baby'. Oh, and I look like Shrek which is fine, Shrek's a good sort, strong and gets Carmen Diaz. What's wrong with that? |
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bulgogiboy
Joined: 12 Nov 2003
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| Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2004 7:24 pm Post subject: |
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Hey Big Guy,
I totally sympathise with your situation and dilemma. I've been in Korea for 18 months now and every minute spent I've been fat.
I'm 5'10 and for most of my stay I've been 100KG. 'Newfoundlander' hit the nail on the head with is comments about fat people in Korea. I have had some really hurtful things said to me by both children and adults. What upsets me the most is being called a "pig".
Do these people have any idea how hurtful and rude that is?? It's even more annoying when it comes from some spotty-faced, bucktoothed, teenage nerd who is hardly the picture of perfection himself. I am especially bitter towards the adults, as they should know better. Even the people who show you friendship will constantly lecture you about losing weight. It can really get to you if you let it.
As for women: generally,if you are a fat waeguk then forget about getting a girlfriend. No matter how much they like you as a friend they will be loathe to date you simply because your weight makes you a second-class citizen. I think somebody said Korean women are chubby-chasers? I think the complete opposite is true. I've had lots of slim,pretty female students who all wanted to be friends and go out in groups,but that's all. They never wanted to be seen alone with me in case someone thought they were dating a fat foreigner. I must say though that there probably are women that are exceptions to this rule.
Anyway, It got too much, so I decided to become socially acceptable again. I've lost 7.5KGs in less than 8 weeks just by reducing my drinking and junk food to 1 night per week. I have about another 3 months more to go, and I'm grateful to all the idiots who have said/say hurtful things, it just encourages me to be disciplined. I can't wait to experience life as a near-human(average-sized white man) so I can compare it to my previous life here.
You'll have no problem getting a job, because you're white and Canadian(perfect ESL Korea combo?) but be prepared for the onslaught...
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jajdude
Joined: 18 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2004 11:02 am Post subject: |
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Wow, you've lost about a kg a week just by limiting drinking and junk food to one night a week? I eat junk food less than once a week but drink a lot more.
I know exercise is the key. I need to get off my self-conscious lazy ass! |
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Alyallen
Joined: 29 Mar 2004
Location: The 4th Greatest Place on Earth = Jeonju!!!
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| Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2004 7:48 pm Post subject: |
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Hey Big Guy,
I'm not in Korea so I have no real helpful comments for your query but I did notice your interest in the rugby club in Daegu. I'm hoping to play there as well so maybe we will met up there!
I have been to Korea and got stared at for my appearance (5'5" 135 lbs at the time and Black) but it seems like you have the right attitude and a big smile. Stay positive and just keep smiling. I hope to see you in Korea sometime. And as for the ladies, if the Korean ladies don't want you, don't count out the western ones
AlyAllen |
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chi-chi
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 6:39 pm Post subject: |
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mods you may delete
Last edited by chi-chi on Sat Jul 30, 2005 7:20 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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bulgogiboy
Joined: 12 Nov 2003
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| Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 8:23 pm Post subject: |
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Hey jajdude,
Yeah I only drink and eat junk 1 night per week(Fridays), which makes Sat/Sun rather boring for me as eating crap and drinking alot are my favourite hobbies. I'm going to take up poon hunting when I get back to my regular size(it was a previous hobby of mine). I am really strict for the other 6 days of the week in order to lose a kg.
I also do virtually no exercise, apart from climbing stairs in my school and up to my apartment(which I do several times a day).
You don't need to exercise to lose weight, although obviously it helps. I find reducing my food easier than doing alot of exercise.
You can do it too! Just think of how different your life will be from just a few months of effort.
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