Korean Job Discussion Forums

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

So at the end of my school's field trip on monday the teachers are there checking off the students. I look over and male teacher is sitting around while the boys give him a massage. Not just his shoulders but his legs too! Shocked

Anyone else seen that.

Real Reality · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: Seoul

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

It seems pretty common place here. I will often see a Korean teacher(both male and female) with their heads down and a phalanx of students gathered around massaging them.

Strange but true

desultude · Posted: Tue May 10, 2005 4:46 pm Post subject:

Haven't had a student massage your neck and shoulders? You're missing a treat- honestly.

Badmojo · Posted: Tue May 10, 2005 4:47 pm Post subject:

I'd kill for a couple of my adult students to give me a massage.

And if they do well on Friday's test, I'd be open to giving them the massage. All in the name of education, you know. A lot of new body part vocabulary in there and new verbs.

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

kangnamdragon · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Kangnam, Seoul, Korea

This is the first you have seen this? I doubt there was anything inappropriate happening.

JongnoGuru · Joined: 25 May 2004 Location: peeing on your doorstep

Okay, the Guru sees where this is all heading. And he's calling the camera man, the lighting crew, booking the hotel rooms, and blocking off... What? This weekend good for everyone?

desultude · Posted: Tue May 10, 2005 5:18 pm Post subject:

I think the problem is that we sexualize everything. Massage seems to be one of the best parts of the culture here. Get a hair cut or a facial, and you get a massage- and a good one at that. If I complain about my shoulders aching, a couple of my students have a go at them. These kids should be giving massages- it's good practice.

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

Either massaging is a genetic trait among Koreans or they all get a Ph.D. course in it in kindergarten. As far as I can tell, they ALL can give a great massage and most are eager to do it.

For the squeamish, ask for a hand massage--it's great. Takes all the kinks out of your hands.

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

I've spent too much time in the west where touching between teachers and students is a big no no.

that said in my hagwon job I had damaged my shoulder and one of the teachers told the kindy kids and they all came over and massaged it.

Still kind of weirded out by it all.

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

It happens all the time here, but I haven't seen much of it in the highschool this year.

I know one Korean female teacher in Seoul who said that she punishes her kids by making them massage her shoulders between classes. She said that the kids cause her stress, so they can relieve it.

I don't think it would be looked upon too kindly though if I did that though.

On the other hand · Joined: 19 Apr 2003 Location: I walk along the avenue

Gollum · Joined: 04 Sep 2003 Location: Japan

pollyplummer · Joined: 07 Mar 2005 Location: McMinnvillve, Oregon

I teach high school kids, too. There's no way in heck I'd let any one of them massage me. I don't sexualize it, but I really don't want them sucking up or touching me. My kids ask for candy sometimes when we play games in class. They're getting used to hearing, "This isn't the candy store. This is school. Go to the candy store if you want candy." I hope they can say that at the end of this year. All that said, I could still use a massage. :O)