Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Grotto]

One thing that really bothers me is when a Korean tells me "You must be more Korean"

This often happens when you are trying to discuss/argue a point that you disagree with. Example blatant contact violations, meetings that have no point, meetings where it is all in Korean and no one explains what is going on but you still have to attend.

I have told Koreans, that to me being told to be more Korean is just another way of saying SHUT UP! Basically a Korean wouldnt be complaining so why are you?

Any thoughts?

[inkoreaforgood]

Being "more Korean" can work both ways. Employers have special duties to their employees, seniors to juniors, etc.. Being told to be more Korean is not a valid arguing point though.

Perhaps you should think of it as asking for your understanding.

They want you to understand where they are coming from. Obviously though, they feel they don't need to do the same for you. In my workplace, I am Korean. People realize that I have adapted to their culture, they see that I show respect (not perfectly though, I often leave the respectful endings off words), that I make a strong effort. But also, I use that culture against them, when need be. One of my wife's cousins is quite the con artist/businessman, and he has made an art out of using Korean culture as a weapon. You can too, with some understanding and time.

All the meetings, contract violations, etc., are crap, but they can be used against your employer in the proper context. Take every piece of crap flung at you and turn it into something more potent to throw back. They will learn respect for you, the hard way.

[Real Reality]

inkoreaforgood wrote,
"But also, I use that culture against them, when need be. One of my wife's cousins is quite the con artist/businessman, and he has made an art out of using Korean culture as a weapon. You can too, with some understanding and time."

Work Permit System Needs Overhaul
"Our Filipino workers work hard and well, and have adapted themselves to Korean culture quickly," said Yoon Hong-sam, director of Intersysco, a company that produces and tests cell phone cases in Puchon, west of Seoul. Yoon also said the migrant workers receive the same treatment as Koreans in terms of wages and other conditions.

"I came to Korea as there are more chances of getting jobs and I can get much more money here than in Manila," the 29-year-old Filipino said.... He works for 12 hours a day with two days of holiday every month, receiving about 1.2 million won per month including all allowances. Arjona took a one-week course of work skills and basic Korean language and culture before arriving. "Korean colleagues are very friendly, attentive and smart. I'm quite satisfied with my job now," the former engineering instructor said.
By Kim Rahn, Korea Times (December 31, 2004)
http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/200412/kt2004123115425453460.htm

1.2 million won/month x 12 months = 14.4 million won/year

Compare this 14.4 million won per year to the starting salary of a Korean college graduate.

Starting Salary for College Graduates to Top W26 Million
The starting salary was the largest at financial services companies, including banks, with 30.52 million won. Shipbuilding and heavy industries came next with a starting salary of 29.50 million won. Automobile and aviation companies will provide 29 million won in the annual starting salary next year, followed by petrochemicals with 27.10 million won, and pharmaceutical companies with 26.70 million won. The starting salaries for companies in retail business, food and beverage, construction, steel and machinery industry were relatively low with 23.20 million, 23.43 million, 25.25 million, and 24.83 million won respectively. Electronics companies also were below the average, with 23 million won for new college graduates.
Korea Times (December 30, 2003)
http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/biz/200312/kt2003123017152911910.htm

Ex-pats Describe Korea's Culture of Corruption
"Koreans always seem prepared to give out bribes. I was shocked by the culture and attitude of Koreans who feel no guilt despite breaking the law."
by Kim Hong-jin, Chosun Ilbo (December 16, 2004)
http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200412/200412160027.html

According to the Samsung Group's chairman, Lee Kun-hee, to succeed globally, Korea must forgo the thought that Korea and being Korean is superior, and foreign specialists must be treated with respect.
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/200206/14/200206142349223599900090109011.html

Foreigners Experience Difficulties in Living in Korea
"Even though Korea has achieved some degree of globalization in going abroad, it has still a long way to go for globalization in embracing foreigners inward," said foreigners residing in Korea. An official in the International Cooperation Division of Seoul City admitted, "The same complaints regarding visas, transportation, education, and environment are raised every year without being solved, due to the lack of cooperation from government agencies involved and their passive attitudes."
http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?biid=2004070522448

For Housing Rentals, Foreigners Easy Victims
http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/nation/200308/kt2003082818233111970.htm

[jaykimf]

[Real Reality]

29-year-old Filipino said.... He works for 12 hours a day with two days of holiday every month, receiving about 1.2 million won per month including all allowances. Arjona took a one-week course of work skills and basic Korean language and culture before arriving....former engineering instructor.

How many 29-year-old Korean workers do you know that work for 12 hours per day for 1.2 million won per month? In addition, the Korean workers were previously employed as instructors.

[peppermint]

I play by Korean rules, follow the Korean version of manners at my job and the principal told me I should be more American.

[dogbert]

Real Reality is a good example of being "like a Korean". He gripes incessantly about perceived injustice; he insists that everyone be treated the same; he is singularly obsessive; he is good at trotting out stock arguments, far less so at analysis and critical judgment.

[jaykimf]

[inkoreaforgood]

I'll second that!!

RR, you continuosly bring up the issue of how underpaid we are. How unfair it is. No one wants to hear it. The OP wasn't complaining about pay. I said nothing about pay, yet you always bring in unconnected newspaper articles that show us very little real info on the situation.

Always apples and oranges with you. How sad.

[I_Am_Wrong]

yeah at the public school I work at I always try to follow Korean manners but usually they won't let me.