Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jajdude]

Korea isn't doing too bad, is it? Yet there seems to be an inferiority complex and a lot of comparing with other countries. And a sensitivity towards criticism. And why do I also seems to hear comments based upon my presence, especially more so if with other foreigners? Guess I could be paranoid. The other night though another foreign friend and me went to a small spot to drink a beer. The other two tables with Koreans seemed to me to be abuzz with comments on foreigners and English. I just seemed to hear, "What are they talking about?" and "They can't speak Korean." And other similar-type comments a lot. And then yesterday just sitting talking with a Korean girl who had good English it seemed several Koreans were interested in what we were saying. One guy sat nearby and just watched for a good 20 minutes, apparently listening or else a bit mystified about the English, more likely by the expression on his face. I imagined he might have thought, boy I hate that language, in my country I want to hear Korean ALL the time. Don't know why it even bothers me. I'm sure there are many more examples where some insecurity seems to exist. Is it an easily offended nation?

[FierceInvalid]

Koreans are very touchy about their country. I think a lot of it comes as a result of being in between China and Japan, and also lets face it the 20th century didn't go so well for Korea...

Most of the time they probably just want to see how much English they can catch. I do this with Korean conversations, though I obviously have no shortage of options.

[sickboy]

Absolutely.

[posco's trumpet]

[crazylemongirl]

[hellofaniceguy]

Being surrounded by Russia, China, Japan, etc. has nothing to do with the behavior of koreans. Nor does the past. I mean, it's like the U.S. holding a grudge because of the civil war, or WW1, WW2, etc. it's over, done with and life goes on. If koreans hold grudges, it's their shorhcomings and ignorance then. I think it's all monkey see monkey do attutude. All is calm until someone starts to stir up some B.S. and then all jump on the bandwagon! Koreans will never change their ways to get along with the world or be leaders in the world. They will always be followers. I thought that perhaps that the younger generation would change but they are not. They still follow what the older ones say and want. Koreans don't not think independently; they don't know how. It's part of the culture. It's not good or bad, just korean. It's their country and its worked for them for centuries even though the rest of the world does not always agree. But even though it works for them does not mean it is right also.

[steroidmaximus]

This morning I'm a Korean apologist. Maybe cuz it's teacher's day

At this point I should mention that there are plenty of examples on this board alone of people who get offended when their country or elements of it are discussed negatively. . . I wouldn't limit your statement by labelling this behaviour as strictly a Korean phenomenon.

[Sliver]

Right on SM. CMG for example launched into a true defensive stance on New Zealand recently (quite rightly so I might add) which is totally a reasonable response from someone who loves their country .

Also, why do some people on this board have to carpet bomb all Koreans?

Is it so hard to type the word "some" or even "most" if you have to?

[gang ah jee]

looks like hellofaniceguy's trying to style himself as some kind of low-rent narsty dog. but without the humor or the insight. keep it up.

yeah, koreans are insecure about their country and culture. hundreds of years of china-worshipping yangban rule, colonisation by a neighboring country, quasi-colonisation by a superpower, being the smallest - and in some ways still - weakest country in the region.... is anyone surprised?

it's funny though. new zealanders aren't exactly the most secure nationality either. i can see how it does come from living in a backwater country. go to new zealand and you will hear a lot of the things you hear here - "how do you like it?", "have you tried pavlova?", "this is the cleanest country in the world", "oh, we don't have (fill in the blank) like you do in your dirty, smoggy country", "we HATE Australia", "we invented powered flight/atomic energy/meringue cake". Plus, ANY criticism of NZ is not kindly received at all, even if we'd say the same thing ourselves. Koreans don't seem much (if any) worse than kiwis to me in that respect.

[bignate]

[Butterfly]

[kylehawkins2000]

Perhaps the sensitivity has to do with the Confucian Tradition. It is very rude to cause someone to lose face, and thus it is uncommon to bring up topics that might insult the person you're speaking to. I've found that the Koreans that I know well are generally not as sensitive on these matters, as people I have a less close relationship with.

[Gord]

[bignate]

Yes Gord, point well taken, the idea that a government can mandate this change is also involved in this, but the fact is, the idea behind this change is based upon the premise that they want to be number one and don't ever want to fall to being servile again (although they may still be occupied, depending on who you ask) As far as government mandate and social evolution goes, you can call them apples and oranges, but they are both fruit.

No fundamental change can occur in a vaccuum, I was so bent on disproving the idea that history does not affect current views that I did overlook the whole picture. They are both part of the idea of this popular movement and the present day social atmosphere, mandated or not.

The fact is this not a phenomenon particular to Koreans. This type of mandate is in place in almost all nations. The US's "A Nation at Risk" portrayed a society that was losing its world predominance. It criticized the educational foundations and also instilled the reasoning that intensive social change (or evolution if you choose) was neccessary to return to the top, and anyone that did not believe in this was essentially Anti-American.

So, as far as social change goes, a governemental mandate can be considered social evolution in itself. The background reasoning behind this change was the fact that as a "democratic" (essentially untrue, I know) state in direct conflict with a communist state (indubitably influenced by very strong communist super powers) South Korea needed to instill this nationalistic sense to show themselves that they had the self-efficacy to succeed while surrounded by historically and contemporary dangerous nations.

[weatherman]

I agree that most are trying to listen to see how much they can pick up, but I can help feel that their are also other reasons too. I don't think it is pure and simple listening practice. Those catching the sound waves of your conversation, are also interested in the clues you related about who you are and what you are doing, and what the nature of the relationship is between who ever you are talking too. It is natural to guess these things when doing some eavesdropping. I have kind of noticed that it is way more present when you are with other foreigners or when you are with a member of the opposite sex. The best thing to do is start talking about him, for it is usually a guy. If his English isn't very good, throw in some Korean or body language so he knows he is being intrusive. Some want to join the conversation, but I always find having a stranger break into the conversation isn't great for the dynamics of the whole mood and conversation.