Korean Job Discussion Forums

fandeath · Joined: 01 Nov 2004

Hmmm, over the past few years, I��ve connected a lot of friends with tutoring. Of course, I never ask for anything in return, but I was a little upset that they never offer it. I always seemed to be giving away jobs and never getting any sent back my way. That is ok now because my tutoring days are long over, but I am a little irked about one other thing; MONEY.

Often when I go to lunch or party with my buddies, they seem to be still picky about the bill and who owes what. I agree it is important to pay your own way, but there is a certain point I think you shouldn��t worry about losing small change.

Last week, I went to dinner with my friend and when we went to pay I gave him 10,000 won to cover my cost. He quickly let me know that I owe an additional 500 won. Now, I know my past help should be unconditional, but I must admit, when teachers do this sort of stuff, I do feel a little disappointed. For this particular guy, I must have gave him over 20 million worth of company work and tutoring over the past 3 years. When he doesn��t let 500 won slip, I feel he is too cheap.

Another guy I gave him a bunch of tutoring last December. Yesterday, I asked him if I could borrow his phone. I made a local call for about 2 minutes. After that, all I could hear about was his worry about the cost of the call.

I find a lot of ESL teachers a little too picky about costs, greedy about sharing their wealth, never giving work back and don��t really show appreciation. People around here are some of the cheapest people I met in my life.

I believe if someone helps you out, a thank you is minimal, but you should show appreciation in other ways like buying a dinner, giving a gift or directing some work back to them.

I��m not interested in the replies that attack my character, which no doubt will come, but I am just curious what your experiences are and how you��d feel in this sort of situation.

If I scratch your back at least offer to scratch mine.

Pyongshin Sangja · Joined: 20 Apr 2003 Location: I love baby!

Foreigners here are mercenary cheapskates that will suck you off to get an agent's phone number and screw your girlfriend while you are at work. Anyone that depends on others for work is a bledge to begin with. Tell him to get some cojones. I totally agree with what you just said. Trusting your co-worker is just as stupid as trusting a hagwon wonjang.

cheem · Joined: 18 Apr 2003

I've encountered this behaviour here, but not amongst my friends, the reason being that I would slowly phase anyone this cheap out of my circle of friends. This may sounds extreme but no matter how outstanding their other qualities might be, I just can't tolerate this kind of selfishness.

Zark · Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2005 10:13 pm Post subject:

Be careful about picking your "friends" - these guys I wouldn't want to even be in the same room with.

A friend got me my current job - I owe him big time. I've made sure that I have always paid my way and more - and treated him on numerous occasions. And it was over two years ago he got the job for me. I still remember his favor - I hope I can pay it back some day.

EFL is such a small world - and you are right - a lot of it is about back scratching and helping each other. You never know when the guy you helped (or shorted) is hiring for the next job you'd like . . . in a paradise location . . .

thorin · Joined: 14 Apr 2003

I still want my 500 won, fandeath. Razz

mercury · Joined: 05 Dec 2004 Location: Pusan

crazylemongirl · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Location: almost there...

FUBAR · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Location: The Y.C.

mindmetoo · Joined: 02 Feb 2004

Yeah those are the kinds of people I avoid. I'm no fool with my money, I keep a pretty tight budget and can stick to it, but I don't want to nickel and dime my friends and coworkers.

Homer · Guest

Had a co-worker like that back in 2000. He was so cheap it became funny.

His line when it came to pay: "Oh, I have no cash on me (or change on me) I will get you guys later".
Of course, later never came...

He once came out with me to a friends b-day party and only brought 6000 won with him (enough for the bus there and back and one beer). then, he mooched off of everyone for the night and never paid them back.

He was 34 at the time and used his father's calling card to make all his long-distance calls. He never paid his old man anything for the bills he racked up.

The list goes on.

Other examples of foreigners being cheap: at my school, we go out once a month (all the teaching staff, korean and westerner). The first time we went out they paid the entire bill. So, when the next time rolled around I asked the other westerners to pay for the night out (was our turn no?). Well, 2 of them flat out refused saying why should we have to. That was an embarassement.

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

Yup alot of FT's are cheap.

When I go out with people I usually end up paying for the taxi or covering the extra 2-3 K on a bill. It doesnt bother me if it happens occasionally but when you go out several times and nobody reaches for cash when the cab stops it does irk me.

Another example was when I went shopping and picked up a few things for another FT. The bill came to 12,800 won and she gave me 12 even. No problem. A couple of weeks later she picked me up some stuff and the bill came to 28,300 won. I counted off 28,000 and she said: "AND 300 won" didnt impress me much.

I am sometimes puzzled when I go out with my Korean friends. They never let me pay....I have even pretended to sneak off to the washroom and paid the bill so they didnt have to, but they literally force the money on me....sneak it into my coat pocket, backpack or whatever. They have even told me flat out that my behaviour is rude o them. I cant figure it out.

Dispatched · Joined: 08 May 2004

Call them on it, make them feel like the cheap assholes they are. If they take offence then it'll be their loss.

I find going out with my Korean friends really difficult because they always insist on paying the bill. I've had friends half my size body check me to get to the counter first. Even explaining to them that it makes me feel uncomfortable to never pay has no effect. It got to the point where I didn't invite one of my friends to my birthday dinner and drinks because it was going to be my birthday 'shout' and I knew if she came she would pay. Now that really sucks.

Back to the original post... cheap people suck ass.

chiaa · Joined: 23 Aug 2003

Spend a weekend where I am at. Speand just one weekend....

SuperHero · Joined: 10 Dec 2003 Location: Superhero Hideout

Intrepid · Joined: 13 May 2004 Location: Yongin

I agree with Dispatched that you should call them on it.
I was here just out of college, where I never had a dime to spare, and I retained my cheap ways even though I was making some money. A real friend finally just said to me "Hey, you're making money now, why be so cheap?" A lot of foreigners here are in a similar situation.
For the others, phasing out is good...