Korean Job Discussion Forums

[UnJef]

Is it just me, or is anyone else tired of this "korean culture is wrong and stupid" constant that seems to flow through this forum like poop through a sewage pipe?

DIFFERENT! Not better, not worse... DIFFERENT!

This is all I'm saying.

[Ilsanman]

Unjef, meet the other apologists.

Other apologists, meet Unjef.

Unjef, you speak the truth, but you are making yourself out to be an apologist. Is that what you want?

[Hyalucent]

[UnJef]

[Swiss James]

[JongnoGuru]

I'll bash things about this place from time to time, but that's about it. I try not to whine, because to me whining is too close to complaining, and complaining can all too often be constructive, and I don't really want to be constructive. At least not with respect to changing Korea to my liking beyond my own small, direct, daily, personal sphere of influence and activity.

So in a sense, I probably have more in common with the so-called (foreign) "apologists" -- not in the sense that I share their genuine, heart-felt appreciation or admiration of all things Korean, but to the extent that their words & actions serve to minimise the effective influence of the "foreign whiners/constructive complainers" on the reshaping of Korea.

The whiners/complainers/constructive complainers -- they will often see changing Korea as possible and desirable. I know that Korea is changing all the time... Koreans themselves are doing it, and it can't be helped. But at least I can say that I personally have not made a conscious effort or contribution to reshaping the country. It has been because of (not in the teeth of) the differences, the challenges and also the very serious problems that Korea (even now) represents that I've bothered to stay here this long.

I will always maintain my right to bash all I want, but I'd never presume I can or should help Korea change "for the better", and I've never thought Korea owed it to me (or any expat) to make my life merrier.

I guess my philosophy would be something like, "Korea sucks and I quite like the way it sucks". Now, does that make me an apologist or a whiner? ...... Or a masochist?

[Pyongshin Sangja]

[UnJef]

[Pyongshin Sangja]

Well, this "English Teacher" thinks that your attitude will get you through the remaining four weeks on your contract very well but that condescending to people like me will get you nowhere. You wanna mess with me? You think you can handle me? You wanna get down with the big boys? Listen, analysis leads to criticism. Criticism may be constructive or not. Being obsessed with your culture and comparing everything else to it is a symptom of homesickness. This is a natural feeling for anyone. Most people are able to recognise the difference between pointless generalisations and valid comments. Some can't. I don't feel that this board is overly negative at all, in fact I get tired of the pollyannas on here nattering away about how wonderful it is here. Like you. Koreans themselves will tell you that there are problems here and that they are under a great deal of stress because of the way things are. Sure, there are problems in all countries but I would say that pressure on the individual here to perform is greater than in most countries. Easing these pressures on our wonderful Korean neighbours is about the best thing we can do. The only way to do this is to look at the society objectively and find positive and negative aspects. Korea is looking to the outside world to find solutions in education, business and society. Koreans in positions of power will tell you this. If we cannot preserve a critical mindset about this place, then we may as well pack it all in and go pick rice in Jeollanam-do. Sure, you don't have to be angry all the time but the only reason that the small changes that I have seen in my four years here ever came about was because of helpful, constructive criticism by foreigners or by Koreans with experience in foreign countries. That Thai take-out place? That German beer in the 7-11? Your English language bus information website? The kids saying hi and thank you on the street? You think this all came about because people rolled over and said "Korea is perfect?" No, it happened because someone took the time to consider how Korea could be improved for Koreans and foreigners alike. This isn't necessarily an attack on Korean culture, it's a recognition that the world is growing and cultures are overlapping all the time. It's not imperialism, it's maturity.

[UnJef]

[Pyongshin Sangja]

Ok, ok. You're not a sponge. Go ahead, shoot people down if they diss Korea. Shoot anyone down. I live for it.

[eamo]

[UnJef]

[Guri Guy]

This exactly what I think. Criticize anything about Korea and you get labeled a whiner or a loser that can't "make it here". For some people, Korea is one big sacred cow. There are genuinely a fair number of things in Korea that are less than desirable. Heck, Koreans admit it themselves. Just like any country really, no country is perfect. Constructive criticism is good and it will bring about change eventually.

a��pol��o��gist ( P ) Pronunciation Key (-pl-jst)
n.
A person who argues in defense or justification of something, such as a doctrine, policy, or institution.

apologist

n : a person who argues to defend or justify some policy or institution; "an apologist for capital punishment" [syn: vindicator, justifier]

Not so negative really I think. Korea certainly has some different customs and ways of doing things and I have no problem with it most of the time. However, blindly defending something with that cultural relativism bullsh*t is stupid. In fact it is regressive thinking. Just my two cents. (Or �ʿ�).

[UnJef]