Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Rock]

I said it. I really did. Couldn't help myself, but was having a goodtime, a dinner get-together. Said bluntly to my host, "Korea's a good country." Then my hand twitched, as I was holding my chopsticks out, and my host saw it.

It made me feel guilty, hypocritical or something. I felt there was something in my heart, my conscious, that divided me, and he knew it. Then again, I feel that I want to let Koreans know I appreciate their country and that it's better than most other Asian countries I've been to.

But I just wonder if this reaction was psychosomatic , or whatever it's called. Perhaps it was subconscious. I felt like I was taking a lie detector test and had lied.

Any of you ever go through this when making a positive comment to Koreans about their country, or ever tell them "Korea's a good country" and then you twitch, look away? Feel like a sychophant or guilty, like you lied? Could you look a Korean in the face and tell them "Korea's a good country?"

I once knew this Canadian guy who did this-made some positive comment- while we sat and ate at those low tables with some Korean co-workers, and then he farted. Man, he must've blown it bad.

[On the other hand]

[chronicpride]

I'm very comfortable in saying to Koreans that Korea has it's good and bad points, just as all other countries do. And I've never met a Korean that disputed me in saying that.

[eamo]

You don't need to be so conscientious about it. Never told a white lie before?

I never criticise Korea with Koreans anymore. It's just not worth it and your relationship with them will never be quite the same. I'm happy to talk up Korea and just keep things smaltzy.

[Moldy Rutabaga]

I have a stock answer: "There are things I really like about Korea, and some things that drive me crazy." And then I NEVER say what things drive me crazy. It permits me to tell the truth and to keep myself out of hot water. I rarely meet people who permit any sort of criticism of this country without getting defensive.

Ken:>

[chiaa]

Korea is what you make of it. It can be a good place or a bad place it all just depends on you, and how much good or bad luck you have.

When I taught I believe:

50% was just plain good luck in picking schools to work at.
50% was how I dealt with the schools (let the little things go and fought hard on the big ones).

Next week you will see me post on how much I hate this place

[bobbyhanlon]

there seems to be this implicit belief from some of you guys that korea is actually a bad country then. so, why live here?

[Grotto]

I dont think anyone actually thinks Korea is a bad place to live. It is just that there are times when the frustration and disbelief come to a point where you just want to scream.

Things that I used to scream and rant at when I first got here now only make me smile sagely and nod.

There are still things that drive me nuts but I have learned to take most of them in stride.

Sometimes its just so hard to understand how a country so technologically advanced can be so retarded socially.

[fiveeagles]

how so?

[AdamH]

One word: Perspective.

[Johnny Pro Korea]

I love living in Korea more than I loved living in my own mother's womb. And I make sure to tell every Korean I meet, including world-renowned soccer superstar Cha Du Ri, who I had the immense pleasure of meeting in Munich two months ago.