Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Homer]

Ok, simple poll....

No intent to start a bash or flame fest here. Just looking for an honest and open discussion on the topic.

[sheba]

Ive learned some basic Korean... enough to get by, though I would like to learn more.

I have Korean friends too, who help me if theres something I cant do for myself.... They can also help explain cultural differences, and are very forgiving if you do something offensive!! (and of course correct you afterwards)

Having foreign friends who have been here longer is good too cos they know the tricks of the trade and have been where you are now. They can show you just how much easier it is to do things (confidence to get in there yourself).

[VanIslander]

I have been considered by several people to be "well adjusted to the culture".

And yet in three years in Korea I haven't learned more than a hundred or so words.

Linguistic fluency is not a necessary (nor sufficient!) condition for cultural adaptation.

[Ya-ta Boy]

In my book, adapting to the culture means not going postal when 'they' do something that might justify going postal back home.

I agree that learning the language is not necessary. It's helpful, obviously, but not necessary. Reading IS necessary.

Learn to pour drinks and some of the 'secrets' of Korean society. If you do that much, your Korean friends will tell you, "Ah! You are Korean!"

[Kuros]

I'm learning Korean, but, I don't know what local community involvement would mean...so I'm probably not involved. I'd love to hear suggestions of how to get involved in the community. It might help my Korean?

[Homer]

Involvement in the community might mean joining groups (hiking club for example) or sports activities (soccer).
To some it might mean church or some other community group.

As for me, I do a few things in my neighbordhood and play korean chess with the old guys in the local park every sunday.

There are many choices out there but it all depends on how you see your time here and on what you wish to put into your time in Korea.

Learning the language is a good example. It can be seen as not useful by some (each have their own reasons) or as necessary or beneficial for others.

Learning local customs is a good idea regardless of how long you stay (my opinion anyway). It will make your stay here easier and lead to better understanding and most likely fewer bad things.

Adapting does not mean submission however. It just means looking for a better understanding and being able to see things from different angles.

[SPINOZA]

I like learning Korean. It's my hobby. But I'm not very good at it. My other hobby is playing guitar and I'm not very good at that either.

But I've learnt more Korean in 3 months than many manage in 3 years, although it's not a competition. I just do what makes me happy. Sod the rest.

[jajdude]

I've learned some Korean. I think some just adapt better than others to foreign places. Being tolerant and polite certainly helps, as does having a broad sense of leeway for cultural and linguistic differences. Accepting that it isn't like home or anywhere else is a good starting point too.

[Fat Sam]

I replyed that I've learnt the basics, but that really translates to knowing the numbers, how to direct a taxi, and how to order drinks -which pretty much sums up what I'm doing here.

I often tell people how I knew more Spanish in two and a half weeks in Mexico than Korean in two and a half years here and it's true because I don't think I could string a coherent sentence together.

It's simply not a language that you can pick up through listening alone. You have to work at it. All credit to those who've studied and progressed. I hope to do the same before I get married because the in-laws don't speak a word of English and I'd love to be able to have a conversation with the mother; other than "It's delicious" or "I like ___".

I guess I'm just lazy these days. But I will try. I promise.

[Homer]

Very interesting reponses so far.

Hope to hear more....

[purrrfect]

While I'm not in Korea anymore, I did live there for nearly three years. Studying Korean in my free time was a bit of a hobby of mine - I'd lug my Korean-English/English-Korean dictionary and my grammar and conversation books to coffee shops.

I found it relaxing and enjoyable to study Korean when I wasn't working on my writing. Or procrastinating with my writing (I've been working on a novel for about three years now, but that's a whole other story.)

Then again, with me being the kind of person who learns other languages for fun, maybe I'm the exception rather than the rule.

I'm in Toronto now, and still get to practice my Korean occasionally (not that I could have a fluent conversation - I managed to get up to a high beginner/possibly lower intermediate but no higher than that level of Korean, and am a little rusty now)

But yes, learning the language is a great way to integrate, enjoy and most of all understand the culture of the country you're living in. So much of a country's culture comes through in the language, and the way it's used.

You can easily get by with just a little knowledge, but it's so much more fun to express yourself and understand more of what people are saying.

I never joined any community groups when I was in Korea, though.

Now I'm missing Korea and will have to go get myself some dolsot bibimbap for dinner (yay Korea Town!)

[ChimpumCallao]

i picked up some korean...so i can communicate efficiently, but not enough to carry a conversation.

i have a toothbrush in my office and brush my teeth after meals

i eat korean food and learned to cook some of it

i have developed an unnatural affection for cuteness, especially tiny puppies.

i drink.

[Pyongshin Sangja]

I wear plastic shoes.

I walk around my neighbourhood in a track suit.

I sit in the park and smoke.

I yell at dogs.

I drive on the wrong side of the road with my lights off.

I spit on the floor in public buildings.

I eat pizza with a fork.

I spend time with women half my age.

I put whipping cream on nachos.

I think coffee is very bitter.

I swing my arms over my head when I walk.

I have a necktie with a zipper.

I am amazed when leaves change colour in the autumn.

Am I adjusted yet?

[capebretoncanadian]

[Homer]