Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Ya-ta Boy]

I was minding my own business, just walking up the stairs on my way to a tam-bae break when I ran into Jong-Min, who doesn't speak English, but was able to convey the idea that he wanted to come to my apt for dinner this week. No problem.

I came back from break and Jin-Hee (the only one around who really can speak) came over to my desk to check on some things. Then she said that 'some' teachers wanted to come to my home...to see how foreigners live. I said fine. How many? She said 12. (There are only 14 total! Should I wonder why the other 2 aren't coming? No, I shouldn't. If anything I might consider deliberately offending a few to thin out the crowd.) Hmmm...how many things can I think of to make with green olives? No, that would be mean, since they are bringing the alcohol.

I really should have spent more time cleaning house on Saturday.

I'm just wondering if I will get dish soap (bubbles are good luck) and a six year supply of toilet paper for house-warming gifts. The last time I got roped into this kind of thing, I didn't have to buy kleenex for the next four years. I coulda supplied a hospital.

What kind of interesting stuff have you received (or given) at your house-warming parties?

[billybrobby]

i wouldn't do it myself, but it'd be kinda funny if the next day they were all describing your house as "strewn with pornography."

[JongnoGuru]

[sheba]

Yea, I kept getting hints about having a housewarming party, but I just kept saying I didnt know what to do because our cultures are different... eventually they stopped hinting. I am not a host.... I can handle a few people but a big group of other teachers, my supervisors and my boss...? No thanks.

[JongnoGuru]

[pet lover]

Thankfully, I've never gotten any hints like that....EVER. Possibly, it doesn't take people longer than a few minutes to realize that I'm not a good host.

[Ya-ta Boy]

LOVED the Aunt Jemima/Uncle Ben salt & pepper shakers. I hope you dipped them in acyrlic stuff for future generations. Those are priceless.

They are letting me go home early today so I can start my shopping (and the vice principal is sleeping, so he won't know). But the first thing I'm doing is hiding my porno collection, my needles, rolling papers and other paraphenalia and making sure the dust bunnies are under control. I may have to get a mouse trap or two to booby trap my hiding place.

My menu is made out, but there is a yippy little dog living next door that sounds like he would make a good boshintang appetizer. Anyone got a good recipe?

[tzechuk]

When is the party?!

[Ya-ta Boy]

[JacktheCat]

Just drop subtle hints around the office about what people in western countries bring to house warming parties. Feel free to make stuff up.

I got some houseplants (which the cats promptly ate) and cooking utensils, including a cool cast iron galbi thingie that fits over the gas range, from my house warming party.

Just take down any maps of Japan you might have, as a few of the teachers at my party flipped out when they saw my printed-in-Japan map that showed Takeshima as being part of a greater Japan.

[Ya-ta Boy]

For those who have found themselves in the same boat I'm in: What have you served that worked well (or was a disaster to be avoided at all costs)?

I've decided on (but am open to suggestions):

cocktail meatballs (with a spicy bbq sauce)
pasta salad (this group had it before and said it was 'delicious', but maybe were being polite)
lettuce and fruit salad with a sweet/spicy dressing
garlic soup
and Pelicana Chicken (because the ajumma is cool and tells me about her drunk husband and his drunk friends)

All served on plastic throw away plates and bowls with disposable chopsticks and multi-colored plastic spoons. (I'm a fan of Alice's Restaurant Cookbook school of hosting: do what you want/have to and pretend it was all planned and supposed to be this way.)