Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Real Reality]

South Korea is likely to rank last in economic growth rates of Asian countries, excluding Japan, with the growth rate expected to stay below 4.7 percent this year....The institute predicted that Asia will see its growth rate drop to 6.9 percent next year. But the Korean economy will grow by 3.8 percent, far lower than China's 8 percent, India's 6.2 percent and Thailand's 5.7 percent, it said.
by Choi Kyong-ae
http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/200412/kt2004121516485510160.htm

While I have learned to read hangeul and enjoy practising it every time I take the bus, it is the feelings of anti-Americanism that impede my average workday. For instance, I have been turned away by galbi restaurant owners at the door. "No miguk (America)!" they say.... Everywhere I go I am stared at in shock as if I have green horns growing out of my head. This was curious enough when I first arrived here a year ago to start work for a Korean company, but after a short while it started to become very annoying.

Many foreigners in Korea, myself included, genuinely enjoy Korea and Korea's rich culture and history. However, there are some fundamental changes that will have to be made in the perceptions of individual Koreans if Korea is to truly become a world-class nation. A recent business trip to Japan and Thailand illustrated this point, where I was not stared at and I was treated very courteously.
[LETTERS TO THE EDITOR] Giving foreigners here a hard time
by Nathan Drescher, Korea Herald (October 13, 2004)
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/SITE/data/html_dir/2004/10/13/200410130012.asp

[Cthulhu]

Real Reality wrote:

[Wisco Kid]

Well, I'm back in Thailand now. And I can say that my only major complaint with this country is the pollution. I speak Thai at a conversational level, and I can read and write it too. I never have problems dealing with the locals. As somebody else said, it is a different story if you live here compared to being a tourist.

And the Food. Need I even mention how tasty it is?

[katydid]

I find it incredible that you write Thai. It's a beautiful looking language, but the same intricacies that would make the writing beautiful have got to be a big pain to distinguish one from the other.

Anyways, have fun and be good.

[trevorcollins]

Hey Danchidong Wank gookin do you make a conscious effort to be such an ass or does it just come naturally....?

[Daechidong Waygookin]

[Tiger Beer]

hahaha.. walking bank. Actually I felt that way my first trip to Thailand.. when I actually thought I should buy stuff at bargain rates. Absolutely hated Thailand than.

But now I never shop anywhere.. and stress non-existant.. now I love Thailand because I see the international food, international people, and just avoid Ko Sahn Road in general. Totally different place.

Regarding Thai being a beautiful written language.. I think Burmese looks the coolest.. all those circles and half circles everywhere.

[bucheon bum]

[Daechidong Waygookin]

[captain kirk]

I'd go back, though I was just as annoyed as you. Those tuktuk drivers on Kaosan road, when they don't get what they want, love to be annoying on purpose. 'Hey, you want a lady?'. 'No'. 'Hmm, special massage, very close'. 'No, thanks'. That's ok but go another twenty meters and I wouldn't want to go through that again, and snap at the guy. And if it's three tuktuk drivers hanging out together you can see they're getting a laugh out of firing you off.
I think they, the annoying ones, figure it's a huge injustice that someone with the same soul, IQ, whatever comes from a country where their work is paid to the degree they can splurge in Thailand for a pittance almost.
Or, and I think this is your case, you go on vacation and think it's going to be smooth, there will be no annoyances. There are annoyances working in Korea but because one's at work one doesn't fire off. Plus kicking back there's extra energy available to blow up over the littlest thing, like jacked up prices. That was me there, anyway. I soon found out that in Thailand one doesn't get angry or the tourist servers become collectively menacing. Which isn't fun.

[matthews_world]

I'm also in the same boat.

After 2 years of lackluster job experiences teaching kiddies, I'm departing Incheon on the 28th of this month and heading to grad school in Jan. 2005 to earn a masters in education.


What would you all do your last day here?

Take in a barbershop? Go to Limelight and party your ass off? Get a nice massage? Stay at home?

[eamo]

[matthews_world]

Ha ha! I'll have that done with 4 or 5 days to spare. Gotta enjoy my last moments, even if I gotta work this week.