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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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Homer
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 Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2005 2:06 am Post subject: |
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I too am wondering why the attacks are so off target in this thread...
But, the attackers are a known quantity anyways.
Finally, if any of these attackers had paid any attention they would have noticed throught my OP and subsequent posts here that my OP was a tongue-in-cheek reponse to another thread (five things that are wrong with Korea) that has disapeared. The context for my OP disapeared with it and it has been taken as it is, on its own.
Now there is nothing wrong with that and my list is based on observation of behavior on the part of many foreigners here in Korea and on the discussion board. I did not write this list out of nowhere.
The simple fact that a small group of people on here decided to attack my character for this speaks volumes. They would have no gripe with a list of 5 things wrong with Koreans that went a lot further. They would even jump in and fuel the fire. Yet, when the magnifying glass is turned the other way, strangely, general comments and negative evaluations are just not acceptable. You have to love the double standard here.
Thankfully, I see that a most people in here got what I was trying to say and to them I say thanks for the support.
Finally Barking,
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1: "You're in a foreign culture. Suck it up."
2: "I have been here for X years and I have never experienced what you have just whined about."
3: "If you don't like it, LEAVE!!!" |
None of those are on my list.
But common sense does tell that if you travel to a different country and choose to live and work there, then, to a large extent you will be asked to adapt to that country. That is just basic logic.
Do not equate adaptatoin to submission like too many on here do.
But, keep plugging mate...keep plugging. |
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princess
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Location: soul of Asia
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| Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2005 2:45 am Post subject: |
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| Real Reality wrote: |
A Society that Spares Greetings
A police officer said that the expression "sorry" seemed to be very hard to say, adding that people often fight over small things such as saying sorry and came to the police station. There are many people who point out that it is rare to hear basic words like "sorry" or "thank you" in Korean society.... Professor Han said that due to the "rushing modernization," referring to a mad dash to accomplish one's goals such as attaining social success, Korean society is seriously lacking in consideration of other people.
by Yi-Young Cho and Soo-Jung Shin, Donga.com (January 7, 2005)
http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?biid=2005010857368
Koreans Flock to Emigration Fair
"It's hard to work in Korea," said Moon Young-ah, a 38-year-old dental technician came the COEX to get information about emigrating to Canada. "There is always too much to do, too much stress, and not enough free time," he said.
By Mike Weisbart, Korea Times (March 27, 2005)
http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/nation/200503/kt2005032719145611990.htm
More Koreans give up citizenship
Faced with the question to be or not be Korean, a growing number of Korean-Americans are opting for the latter, renouncing their Korean nationality, statistics released by Korean missions in the United States showed yesterday.
by Lee Sun-young, Korea Herald (January 17, 2005)
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/SITE/data/html_dir/2005/01/17/200501170007.asp
We live in an era where the escalating divorce rate, alcoholism, anxiety and depression affect the psyche of every Korean in some way or the other. Just about every Korean suffers from soul-deadening mental, physical or emotional tiredness. Professor Chey would like Koreans to "look inside" and explore their inner worlds. When she returned from the United States nine years ago, she noticed a lot of anger and stress in Seoul. "Koreans tend to think the problem is caused by someone else, that it does not lie within the Self," she said.
"But first of all we must do complete self-examination. Our history testifies that Korean people have lacked serious self-examination," he [Professor Rhee Dong-shick] explained.
Korea Times March 18, 2004
http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/culture/200403/kt2004031817153511680.htm
Foreigners Experience Difficulties in Living in Korea
Overall living conditions, including education, housing, medical care, transportation, immigration, and access to the Internet are pointed to as inconveniences. Not only inconveniences caused by different systems and customs in Korea, but also special discriminating practices, such as the practice of submitting two years of monthly rent in advance like a deposit, which is required of foreigners just because they are foreigners, are ubiquitous. "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."
by Jae-Dong Yu and Soo-Jung Shin
http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?biid=2004070522448
Foreigners fear for safety in South Korea
The US embassy warns American citizens to stay away from certain parts of the capital Seoul as a homegrown campaign urges foreigners to leave...
by Conor Purcell, Greatreporter.com (March 17, 2005)
http://www.greatreporter.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=359
Korean 'well-being' slogan for some, not others
By David Scofield (October 20, 2004)
Asia Times - News and analysis from Korea; North and South
http://atimes.com/atimes/Korea/FJ20Dg01.html
Man Cannot Live on Slogans Alone
EU Chamber of Commerce in Korea (EUCCK) President Frans Hampsink had some harsh words for Korea the other day. He said the country has no long-term development plan worthy of the name,... And that's just the free zones: imagine the red tape in the rest of the country. "Few official documents are translated into English," Hampinsk also noted, "and the low standard of accuracy renders understanding of legal provisions difficult." Nothing much has changed, he says, despite repeated requests for deregulation over the past seven to eight years. No action has been taken to match grand slogans like "open commercial country" and "Northeast Asian economic hub."
http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200504/200504070040.html |
Yeah but many times when someone DOES say have a nice day it's a lie. They don't even know you. |
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dogbert
Joined: 29 Jan 2003
Location: Killbox 90210
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| Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2005 2:49 am Post subject: |
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Now Homer knows how to do up an avatar right.  |
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trevorcollins
Joined: 02 Jul 2004
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| Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2005 3:11 am Post subject: |
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| just because wrote: |
| I think the biggest problem is that we drink too much. |
Huh? Reative to who...? I haven't pissed or puked in my hallway in months. Seemingly the neighbors can't say likewise. |
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trevorcollins
Joined: 02 Jul 2004
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| Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2005 3:12 am Post subject: |
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| dogbert wrote: |
| Now Homer knows how to do up an avatar right. |
What is it, a fish or something?? |
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Barking Mad Lord Snapcase
Joined: 04 Nov 2003
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| Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2005 5:27 am Post subject: |
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| Homer wrote: |
Finally Barking,
| Quote: |
1: "You're in a foreign culture. Suck it up."
2: "I have been here for X years and I have never experienced what you have just whined about."
3: "If you don't like it, LEAVE!!!" |
None of those are on my list. |
And for that I am grateful. 
I was simply pointing out the more extreme opinions expressed on these forums, and suggesting alternative methods of defending Korea.
BTW, did you quote me out of context? |
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Leslie Cheswyck
Joined: 31 May 2003
Location: University of Western Chile
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| Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2005 3:41 pm Post subject: |
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1. I want to come in late and not get docked for it. Teacher no like this. Teacher bad.
2. I want to chat with my friends while teacher talking. Teacher very angry with me now. Teacher bad.
3. I want to play with handphone during class. Teacher tell me stop. Him very very angry. Teacher bad.
4. Teacher won't let me sleep in class. Teacher bad. He is no humanity.
5. I show up only for exams and still fail class. Teacher not respect Korean culture. |
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Yu_Bum_suk
Joined: 25 Dec 2004
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| Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2005 8:07 pm Post subject: |
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| Leslie Cheswyck wrote: |
1. I want to come in late and not get docked for it. Teacher no like this. Teacher bad.
2. I want to chat with my friends while teacher talking. Teacher very angry with me now. Teacher bad.
3. I want to play with handphone during class. Teacher tell me stop. Him very very angry. Teacher bad.
4. Teacher won't let me sleep in class. Teacher bad. He is no humanity.
5. I show up only for exams and still fail class. Teacher not respect Korean culture. |
In any normal country wouldn't the native teacher just talk to the parents and say 'do you want your kid to come here and play and talk to his friends and listen to music or do you want him to learn?'. Instead it's one massive facade. |
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Homer
Guest
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| Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2005 2:01 am Post subject: |
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| BTW, did you quote me out of context? |
Barking..upon further review...it seems I did...  ...15 yards penalty...4th down for me. |
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Ilsanman
Joined: 15 Aug 2003
Location: Bucheon, Korea
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| Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2005 7:42 am Post subject: Re: Five most common problems with Foreign teachers |
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So why did it become cool again to bash North Americans? Take some responsibility yourself, little Mr. Perfect.
*beep* are you ever an idiot.
| Toby wrote: |
| Homer wrote: |
In the spirit of that other thread assessing the problems of Korea...I will sacrifice myself and tackle that other burning issue.....
Drum roll please...
1 Refusal to accept that different does not mean inferior
Simply put this is the sadly too common habit of Foreign teachers seeing the differences in Korea and automatically switching to an us vs them system where Korean cultural norms and habits are essentially classified as inferior to Western ones.
2 Gross over-estimation of one's worth
This usually manifests itself at the very begining of a Foreign teachers arrival here or during his or her job search. This is basically a trend that sees the teacher ask for the moon with very little to warrant such a claim. Only reason: I deserve it.
3Sweeping judgement of large groups based on nothing more then limited and often very superficial information
Simple trick that leads many Foreign teachers to call all Koreans crap based on one or two personnal experiences. Very nifty trick and if that is applied to their own home country, the shields go up.
4It is their job to adapt, not mine
A very amusing trait that sees some Foreign teachers refuse to adapt to any Korean cultural behavior. It goes further with the teacher expecting Koreans to adapt to him or her. Not very logical but it sees the light of day quite often.
5What? I have to teach (i.e. work)
A very common shock encountered by many Foreigners upon arrival here to their new jobs. It seems they expected to be paid for nothing or to be on some sort of working holiday. When faced with actual teaching duties they balk and suddenly realize they do not really want to be teachers, they were just looking for a chance to travel.
Well thats the top five. It is no more valid then the other top five.
Have a good one fellow teachers. |
You seem to have summed up most of the Canadians and Americans that I know here in Korea... |
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Guri Guy
Joined: 07 Sep 2003
Location: Bamboo Island
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| Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2005 7:50 am Post subject: |
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| Evidentally you don't get out much Toby. There are many good Canadian and American teachers. I have met quite a few of them. There are also some bad ones certainly, but you can easily say the same about New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Korea. Get off your high horse idiot. |
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Ilsanman
Joined: 15 Aug 2003
Location: Bucheon, Korea
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| Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2005 7:57 am Post subject: yes |
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Exactly. Or maybe low horse, since he has an inferiority complex to North Americans. I know not the source of this assumption, nor do I care.
You are barely worth the time for this response, but you're getting it anyways. |
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Toby
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Location: Wedded Bliss
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| Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2005 3:16 pm Post subject: |
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| Someone rattled someone elses' cage...... |
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