Korean Job Discussion Forums

[adopi]

I just got here 3 weeks ago...and along the way I have met some other teachers that are in their middle 30's. I am the only english teacher in my hagown at this moment....and while they are all around each other all the time, and have been here for 3+ years....i HAVE just arrived. I have been invited to hang out with them, yet there's lulls of conversation...almost as if there is an uncomfortable topic on the table, no one talks...and it's not normal to me. I'm from America, and am used to just talking to my friends...ranting and raving..and just letting things that are frustrating me , making me happy...or whatever out. Does Korea change this in people...I know that if I was in a bigger hagwan, with more people my age...which is 29...and I have always hung out with younger people....that I would be able to hang out and vent and so forth. I dont' know...I just feel like these guys are being nice to me...and expect me to bend my personaility to suit theres...I'm so used to having fun...going somewhere and talking up a storm....dancing....being myself...and so far the past couple of times I've hung out with these teachers...it just seems that I'm too young...

maybe it's because they all know each other and when I start talking or trying to start a conversation they just shy away....is that what happens when you turn 30+...I'm well on my way there...but why wont' these guys open up......

is it me...or does living in korea make you boring...or what....

I asked another new guy i met tonight i'm so used to talking and having fun....and he said...well just make sure you just don't bombard them with questions....jeez...what does it take to make a good friend here in Korea....

I'm so new I still have no clue how to get to daejeon....I sort of know...but last year when I was in europe I just simply have no clue on directions when i'm in a new place .....yet i'm going to have to venture out on my own eventually....because I feel liek i'm saying something wrong....yet then again...all my friends back inthe states think i'm the cat's pajamas..


so wtf.....is it mandatory to be boring when you hit your early 30s...

jeez..


adopi

[Satori]

Korea does attract a certain kind of person, as a general tendency, and they're not the kind of people I want to hang out with. But long timers, now there's an interesting bunch...

[nautilus]

How much longer will adopi last in Korea?
a) 1 week
b) 1 month
c) 6 months

[Mr. Pink]

You can't attribute someone's conversation skills to their age.

I am over 30 and it just depends. If you are talking about something I couldn't care less about, chances are I won't be jumping in with my own two cents. If the conversation is something I can add something too, well of course I would.

I have been in Korea for awhile, so when new comers start complaining, I usually hold my mouth. Most complaints are the same things you always hear from newcomers. Sorry but when you've been in the same conversation over 10x, it just isn't interesting anymore.

[weatherman]

maybe its you who have the problem

[fusionbarnone]

I used to write resumes profesionally; in-depth interviews, career change strategizing, etc. The personal attributes inclusion was of most importance to employers(people you'll eventually work with) as it couched sought attitudes in a business-like language. Wrote a resume for a really nice lady whose education made her perfect for a particular govt. position. What wasn't perfect about her was that she was genuine and caring. Not nice words in a govt. org. whose business is to deny or short-change clients. Anyway, I knew the lingo she got the job. She told me months later a co-worker had told her she seemed to have somehow gotten round the "profile" screening(my job).

Korea did once upon a time attract a certain type but with credential checks who knows, the personality pool may be changing, but this should not be your focus.

Point I'm making is, adaption is everything. Korea is to me one of those fortunate economic spikes(along with Taiwan, Japan in the pay stakes) that have given many a westerner a reasonably paid job(with many of the expected/unexpected trimmings as well) . Many eslers are actually quite fortunate in my opinion as low overheads mean greater opportunity to save and future pla through working on the ROK. Don't forget the Benjamins.

Thus, team-playing means just that, to play along. You'll have to do that with the Korean staff may as well so get some practicum in with your fellow waegooks. They will be your fount for info.

Read as many "interesting" past/present posts(avoiding the racially biased ones) on Dave's to educate yourself about Korea and issues/things that concern and continue to concern expats, I'm sure people will chime in. Allow people to "want" to help you.

BTW: definition of a good conversationalist is to be a good listener.

Have a great time in the ROK.

[fusionbarnone]

I used to write resumes profesionally; in-depth interviews, career change strategizing, etc. The personal attributes inclusion was of most importance to employers(people you'll eventually work with) as it couched sought attitudes in a business-like language. Wrote a resume for a really nice lady whose education made her perfect for a particular govt. position. What wasn't perfect about her was that she was genuine and caring. Not nice words in a govt. org. whose business is to deny or short-change clients. Anyway, I knew the lingo she got the job. She told me months later a co-worker had told her she seemed to have somehow gotten round the "profile" screening(my job).

Korea did once upon a time attract a certain type but with credential checks who knows, the personality pool may be changing, but this should not be your focus.

Point I'm making is, adaption is everything. Korea is to me one of those fortunate economic spikes(along with Taiwan, Japan in the pay stakes) that have given many a westerner a reasonably paid job(with many of the expected/unexpected trimmings as well) . Many eslers are actually quite fortunate in my opinion as low overheads mean greater opportunity to save and future plan through working on the ROK; don't forget the Benjamins.

Thus, team-playing means just that, to play along. You'll have to do that with the Korean staff may as well so get some practicum in with your fellow waegooks. They will be your fount for info.

Read as many "interesting" past/present posts(avoiding the racially biased ones) on Dave's to educate yourself about Korea and issues/things that concern and continue to concern expats, I'm sure people will chime in. Allow people to "want" to help you.

BTW: definition of a good conversationalist is to be a good listener.

Have a great time in the ROK.

[Lemonade]

[jessiaka]

Well, I'm on the other side of the spectrum.. haha I'm a baby compared to many people I've met (I'm 21).

[kangnam mafioso]

[adopi]

[Grotto]

Conversation with Newb:

Newb...whats this, whats that, wheres this, wheres that....do Koreans do this? Do Koreans do that? Oh my god I saw someone spitting on the sidewalk does that happen all the time?

Old timer: geez shut up already! Hmmm I dont want to come off as too negative. Screw you...I suffered through it the first 6 months so can you.
You know what....i'm out of here in a month or two and I dont want to waste the time or energy on someone I wont ever see again.

Sad but true. Alot of people here seem to react in the above ways. I kind of view newbs as little puppies who want to sniff everything, full of energy with little or no attention span.

Oldtimers, seem to be counting the days...especially in the last month or so. So they just nod sagely and laugh to themselves knowing that they are going to be free.

[Landon77]

It sounds to me like you could be in the company of some introverts. They don't care that there are times when nothing is said, and if you're always saying something, they may find that annoying. I'm only 22, but I can sit with someone somewhere for an hour or more and not say a thing.

[jajdude]

Strange, I like to meet newcomers, and I have been here longer than 3 years. I like the new perspective. I like to tell newcomers about what little I know. And of course i like to make new friends. And i am often not a big talker in person, more of a listener, so your words would perhaps be welcome with me.

And I am quite an introvert, but sometimes be quite talkative.

PS we are all newcomers here.

And wherever we go we will be that. Even locals are visitors and guests to this world. The superiority of a few years works in the military and in University perhaps, but is inane there as anywhere. Most people may be too ignorant to realize or acknowledge this. Tomorrow a bus may arrive, and goodnite Irene.

[kangnam mafioso]