Korean Job Discussion Forums

gilgamesh · Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2003 4:37 pm Post subject: Western Giants

Hi all...

I am coming over in August and I am wondering what it is like for you taller people over there. I am 6'1" (only slightly above average for a Western fellow) and the stereotypical Asian is short and slight. What is the reality?? Will I be an island in a sea of heads?? Will it give me an edge in the classroom Wink

?? Are non-asians really that obvious??

You taller people - give us the view from up there over there...

Cheers

rudyflyer · Joined: 26 Feb 2003 Location: pacing the cage

I'm 6' 3" 230 lbs and I'm treated like a freak show a lot of the time sad to say. After 7 years here I still have people trying to measure themselves against me (young and old), asking "how tall are you" so often its sickening. I've developed a thick skin and have tried to ignore it now but for the first year plus it was really annoying (it still is to an extent)

It also poses a problem somewhat in the classroom. My boss says that physical presence is somewhat intimidating to the students which is why they don't like to particpate in my classes and she says is why very few of my students sign up for our hogwon classes. Forget about the fact these students are some of the most unmotivated students I've seen here. Rolling Eyes

Thats why I'm very sympathetic with the western women here who are not 110 lbs being called "fattie" by Koreans. They can be a very cruel lot almost like children in NA.

I'll still take this job though over anything in the US, the other perks are too good for me here.

hojucandy · Joined: 03 Feb 2003 Location: In a better place

its not really a big issue. people will remark on your height. kids will act out surprised expressions and say "teacher long!!", but, actually there are quite a few tall koreans around these days so its not like you'll be a freak or anything.

i am 192cm (6'3") myself, and the only problem i have is finding shirts or jackets with long enough sleeves.

it is nice getting in a crowded train however and being "above the crowd".

Dan · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Sunny Glendale, CA

i think 6'3" is a reach, but 6'1" you shouldn't have too many problems. especially not with shoes, ahaahahahaah.

inside joke, you'll understand when you get there

William Beckerson · Guest

Nah, height isnt really a big taboo here.

Having anything resembling fat on your body is. It's the land of the skinny, and if you aint skinny, forget it, you're gonna be called a pig to your face. That includes people who wouldnt be considered fat back home.

Bring a thick skin with you.

gilgamesh · Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2003 7:53 pm Post subject:

But obviously the skin to bring is one that's not too thick... Very Happy

gang ah jee · Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Location: city of paper

i'm 6 foot and apart from the odd 'waaaaaa tall' i'm not much different in stature to most k-guys my age. at 65kgs i'm usually a lot thinner though.

rudyflyer · Joined: 26 Feb 2003 Location: pacing the cage

regarding buying clothes 2 places: Itaewon and Songtan. I can find 36" inseams and 36" - 38" waists with no problems there same with shirts I can even find golf shirts that are too big for me Very Happy

shoes also no problem there and I'm a US size 11-12

FierceInvalid · Joined: 16 Mar 2003

Also 6'1" and no problems, it's actually good because people are all impressed with my height without being freaked out at all (I'm a very non-threatening-looking person).

Canucksaram · Joined: 29 Apr 2003

Do any of you live in the same Korea that I do? I regularly see Korean men who top the 6' mark, multiple times each day. I've been here two years and I'm constantly surprised by how many tall men (and women!) that I see. I've seen more tall Koreans in Seoul and Busan than I have seen tall people in my home town, Toronto.

It's not only height, either. Some Koreans are really BIG-boned. The size of some of the women just wows me.

--Canucksaram

sparkx · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: thekimchipot.com

wendysue · Joined: 17 Apr 2003 Location: Seoul

As a fairly tall chick (about 5'10), I can say that I see guys who are taller than me or as tall as me everyday but I never see Korean women who are my size or taller.

I'm also not a twig, but so far no one has called me fat to my face but I've had several Koreans tell me that I look very strong. I'm pretty athletic, so I'll take being called strong over being call fat anyday Very Happy

djsmnc · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Location: Dave's ESL Cafe

A student of mine told about one teacher who did a homestay at his apartment who was about 6'3" tall (this was about 8 years ago). The mother would take a little rice from the cooker for her son, a little for herself, then set the entire cooker full of rice in front of the teacher.
Shocked

I'm not tall, but I imagine that with as many times as I've been called a monkey for having hair on my arms, there must be a whole slew of comments to be made about a tall person...

Sliver · Joined: 04 May 2003 Location: The third dimension

I am 6' 3". The biggest problem is not reaction from people. My skin has thickened I guess from being here. The problems are this

Bumping my head on things.

Not being able to stand in the shower while washing my hair.

Having to squat a little to shave if I am at a hotel or somewhere not home.

Not being able to find a bowling lanes that has rental shoes to fit.

Not being comfortable in CGV cinema chairs.

Cant play some of the cool looking race sim games in the video arcades.

And in some hof's and PC room's toilets not being able to stand up fully (because the roof is too low) while pulling my pants back up. It really is a skill pulling up pants with bent knees Cool

Zyzyfer · Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2003 11:30 pm Post subject:

You'll be interesting/puzzling, but not a total freak show.

And I still can't figure out the thinness thing. I'm thin as a rail back home, but here, I'm fat.