Korean Job Discussion Forums

[tomato]

For anyone who is interested, here is my Koreans-speaking-to-you-in-English FAQ Sheet:

"There is a reason for it. Most foreigners in Korea don't know Korean."

There is some truth in all stereotypes. Shall we treat all Arabs as if they were all terrorists? Shall we treat all Nigerians as if they were all scam artists?

"When a Korean sees you for the first time, that Korean doesn't know whether you know Korean or not."

When a defendant steps into the courtroom, the judge knows nothing about the case. According to the logic of this argument, the judge should sentence the defendant without even trying the case.

I don't see why the Korean can't at least speak to me in Korean gthe first time. If I don't understand, then the Korean can punish me by speaking to me in English.

"The Korean has to speak English to you because your Korean is lousy."

If my Korean is lousy, then I need to practice Korean.

I suppose if you don't know how to swim, you should stay out of the water. Same principle, isn't it?

"The Korean is just trying to be polite."

I see nothing polite in messages like "You are too stupid, lazy, and irresponsible to learn Korean." "You look like a weak and helpless infant." "Your need to learn Korean is not worth a minute of my time because you are so lowly and contemptible."

"The Korean is helping you.

In the short run, maybe. If you served a drink to an alcoholic who is trying to reform, you would create comfort for that person for a moment. But the long-term damage will exceed the short-term comfort.

Would you expect a reforming alcoholic to appreciate you buying that drink? Then how can you expect me to appreciate the Korean who sentences me to perennial infancy?

"The Korean is just trying to help you."

Give a man fish and you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish and you have fed him for a lifetime.

Am I being too greedy by choosing the second option?

"The Korean wants to practice English."

Violinists don't walk down the street playing the violin. Auto mechanics don't walk down the street looking under car hoods. Why, then, should English teachers be on 24-hour duty?

"The Korean doesn't get much opportunity to practice English."

Even though that Korean is surrounded by millions of other Korean English students? Everyone seems to agree that music students should join ensembles. Why, then, shouldn't English students converse in English? Wouldn't speaking English with someone who wants to speak English be better than speaking English with someone who doesn't want to speak English?

"The Korean wants to impress you with his English."

I don't impress anyone with my Korean either. I thought Confucius taught the Golden Rule too.

"Is your need to learn Korean more important than the Korean's need to learn English? You must be the hub of the universe!"

I am perfectly consistent. If I met a Korean in my own country, I would try that Korean by speaking English first.

[ryleeys]

This again... you've posted on this before.

And I'll say the same thing again.

Lighten up. If they speak to you in English, ask them to speak in Korean. If they continue using English, go on about your business.

You say that as an English teacher, you want to choose when and where you speak English. Well, Koreans have the right to choose what language they want to speak with you. That really worth gettin' all angry about?

[nev]

Tomato, you obviously have somewhat of a chip on your shoulder.

I've been in Korea for 6 months and am actively trying to learn the language, but still have a long way to go. Most of my friends have been here longer and have far more limited Korean. To date, I've met a mere handful of Westerners who can speak good Korean. I doubt my experience is atypical, and am willing to bet the percentage of foreigners who speak Korean is very low.

Given these odds, which Koreans are well aware of, it is natural that a Korean will approach you in a language they believe you will understand.
Often this may be to practice their English, and I say good for them. I have had short conversations with Koreans, always friendly, and if I've helped boost their confidence in a language they've been learning for years then I'm happy.

If you want to speak to them in Korean and they insist on English, then in that case they are maybe being unreasonable, especially if their English is worse than your Korean. However, I have had nothing but praise (and often surprise) for my attempts at Korean.

The onus is on us to learn Korean, not for them to not speak to us in English. I doubt many foreigners make more than a cursory attempt tp learn the language of a country they'll live in for at least a year. The shame is not the Koreans therefore.

[superteacher]

[The Great Toad]

[Pyongshin Sangja]

[J.B. Clamence]

[The Lemon]

I'll defend Tomato's right to vent. I don't agree with the sentiment, and I believe Tomato has done this one before, but still. We all need to vent sometimes.

There's really no big deal. The Korean speaking English to you does nothing to stop you from replying in Korean. The Korean will speak English. You will speak Korean.

Both are being cordial by making the effort to speak the other's language. Carry on.

[maxxx_power]

Tomato may be angry he wasted so much time learning a useless language and living in a culture that cares nothing for foreigners.

Vent on brother. It's too bad you can't unlearn what you studied and get that time back.

[indytrucks]

[maxxx_power]

Korean is about as useful, outside of Korea, as a third nipple.

[Mashimaro]

[maxxx_power]

[indytrucks]

[Mashimaro]