Korean Job Discussion Forums

[captain kirk]

I don't know whether to laugh or cry about this. It's just so weird.
I'd say I'm a cranky old veteran teacher in Korea. But I would only describe myself this way this past week. The contrast is so stark. Because there's a new foreign teacher on the scene, never taught, never been to Korea.
Here's an example, would you laugh or cry? 'The food here is so cheap. And at EVERY restaurant it tastes different!'. Well, yeah. But you're hungry again in a couple of hours so why not eat once at McDonalds. And yeah, it does taste 'slightly' different, the Pokumbab at two different places. Or does it? I don't think so.
He's 23, blonde, blue eyes, just out of college.
I find it almost impossible to understand where he's coming from.
He doesn't understand what the kids are saying to him, not a word. He's excited about this, about everything. He avoids me like the plague because I can't help looking at him like he's 'crazy', mental, retarded.
Who in their right mind would rave about Korean food?
Everything's 'so cheap'. Food, the pc room (say PC bang and he doesn't know 'bang' so gets a blank look).
He's the bosses best friend. (Am I jealous? I dunno. I think working in a haggie is a mad, mad world anyway. This just makes it madder). He's gushing enthusiasm and can-do, saying 'but I can do MUCH more with them than 'Side by Side'' (I was saying the same thing when I arrived at the school, but the rules are the rules).
The middle school girls, in class, saying, 'you look just like a boy angel'.
I feel like something from the grave compared to this guy
I've two months left before heading back to Canada for Christmas, first time back in four years. And bam, here he is, he's 'IN KOREA', and it's like Christmas morning to him, the whole place so wonderful, surprising.
He looks like a nutter! He's driving me crazy

[Real Reality]

Wait until you find out that he receives more money and better benefits than you. (He also receives the newbie perk package.)

New and "missionary" teachers always seem to be the favorites of bosses.

See the signature.

[captain kirk]

He 'walked in' with a recruiter, that is he was already in Korea.
He's like a peeping chick, you know, a baby chicken. Or a puppy. Heck, I can't even remember what it was like to be 23. It seems like something I read about, but can't remember the title of. Or a movie. His is 'The Sound of Music'. The boss thinks he's a doll, along with the k-teachers. His name is Adam. The K-teachers say 'Ah - dehm'. Run off to find him to give him some fruit like, 'where's the puppy, I want to play with him'
I'll keep you posted. This is a great form of therapy in this instance (faced with my own mortality, in contrast with a 'forever young and invincible'). I wish he'd gone off to make a movie like 'Blue Lagoon' with Brooke Shields, instead of puppy footing off to Korea. Maybe he'll get hit by a bus

[dull artist]

Just shut up, stop whining, and go throw your boomerang, old timer. Stop whining and get over yourself. How's that for therapy?

[Kim Jong Jordan]

Leave the guy alone. I read too many posts on this board about people who are disgruntled with this or that, and now your upset because he's enjoying his experience. Come on!!!! Maybe this "honeymoon" period will wear off at some point, but if it does it shouldn't be because some old fogey is jealous of a popular youngblood. I'm coming over to the ROK at the end of the month and quite frankly I can't wait, I'm really excited and look forward to teaching and experiencing the newness of everything. I'm also fresh out of University, 24, eager and, dare I say, a decent looking guy. God forbid I encounter anybody like you to spoil my time.

[fidel]

Hey I dig Korean food, am still enthuastic to an extent, am oldish (31) have been here for a while and find many things cheap. You're obviously a grumpy old git who rejoices in others misfortunes and lambasts those with a positive spin in life. Tie me kangaroo down sport, and act your age.

[peppermint]

Cut the guy some slack. Captain Kirk has always struck me as one of the more happy go lucky posters here, and everybody's entitled to an off day.

[casey's moon]

Captain Kirk, whine away. Sometimes I think if people didn't jump on a guy (or girl of course) when they needed to rant, the guy might just bounce right back and have a good day the next day.

Four years and you haven't been home once? Wow, prepare for culture shock... I had one full year and had extreme (but kind of fun) culture shock when I went back to Canada.

I've been here for four years too, but with several trips home. I'm sorry that you don't love the food -- I LOVE the food. The spicier dishes are better, in my books, so I guess if you don't like spicy food it might not be that good... Have you tried a lot of different things? Or have you been stuck in the foreigner rut (I spent a year there) of bibimbap, several noodle dishes and bbq? Have you tried duck? Hmmm, I also happen to love squid, so I guess if you don't like seafood...

Lots of things really are cheap here, but once you've been here for awhile you realize that other things are way more expensive and it kind of balances out...

May I suggest you try to do something to perk yourself up? Spend some time at an open air market, or if that's not your thing, play video games on the street (my husband and I got caught crouching and playing a fighting game by one of his colleagues the other evening )

Or maybe nothing will help but your trip back home.

I sure hope that this post isn't more annoying than helpful... just ignore if that's the case!

Rant away!!!

[FUBAR]

Looks like it's time for a little Botox and a visit to the Hair Club for Men.

A few sessions and you will be as a good as new. (ahem, I mean Ah-Dehm)

[Manner of Speaking]

You should get a video camera and record his every move...then play it back to him eight months from now. You'll both probably get a big kick out of it!

[baldrick]

Sorry, can't stick up for Captain Kirk.
Who the **** do you think you are. You have any more right on gods green earth to be here than adam, annoying as he sounds?
Prehaps instead of being crippled by bitterness and trying to recall your forgotten youth through the pretty boy, you could try helping him? Sharing your knowledge of the country, the language? Yes, the words and behaviours of a newbie can be somewhat naive on arrival but what the hell do you expect?! I suppose as soon as you arrived you put on your golf trousers and zip up cycling top and marched to the nearest sam gyop sal restaurant for a bottle of soju and 20 cigarrettes?

[manlyboy]

Is it just me, or is anyone else getting fed up with people who are fed up with the folks who get fed up when they shouldn't get fed up?

This post piqued my interest. I both got married, and turned 30 this year, so for the first time in my life I'm starting to look over my shoulder at younger people who are willing to work longer hours for less money.

[the eye]

Captain Kirk...

excellent post.

i especially enjoyed reading those who were juvenile and immature enough to flame you (BALDRICK, KIM JONG JORDAN).
in reading THEIR replies, your point is only made stronger.

gotta love it when some newb, criticizes a vet, without having the slightest clue what he is talking about.

you struck a nerve that many may veterans feel here at some time. you painted a vivid picture....the older, tested, experienced teacher replaced by a...well...the innocent, naive charm of an inexperinced newb.

what can you do? maybe take MANKIND'S advice and SCREW the little bastard so you can secure your position.
teach him some nasty korean words but make up your own innocent translation. set him up with a private job and then tell immi. about it.....err, kidding...i'm kidding.

i think it's true, what one poster here said.... in the long run, everything will even out.

he will realize he hasn't got a clue what he is doing in the classroom.
he will start getting sick of gochujang, and wonder what meal would be complete without it.
he will harden up under the aspects of living in korean culture.

in the meantime, enjoy his initiation to korea, and try to help him out...maybe some of his inncence will rub off.

[adventureman]

You are in your 40's teaching at a kiddie hogwon in Korea...have you ever considered what HIS initial impression of YOU might have been?

[pecan]

Eye,

I'm not sure that Adam will ever tire of Korea. I know several people that have come to Korea and have had nothing but positive experiences due to their status as the "golden" few.

Youth, an attractive appearance, and an overabundance of energy can keep the light shining on you throughout your stay in Korea. For some it may get old, but for others, it is a constant source of enjoyment.

Preferential treatment tends to only bother those that are left out.

Nut