Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Tiberious aka Sparkles]

You people make me sick.

Perhaps that's why I've been off the board for a while (though I'm doubtful anyone missed me). I've been thinking a lot lately about what irks me about my fellow foreign teachers, and I started feeling a Gord complex blossoming. So, in hopes of getting something off my chest, here is a small list of complaints I have about ESL teachers in Korea. Some of them used to apply to myself, and some of them probably still do. I'd be interested in others contributing what P.O.s them.

After this, it's more downtime from the board as I work my @ss of like a real ESL manhooker should, and prepare for the birth of my first child. Bitterness and fatherhood shouldn't mix, so I'm going to try visiting here as little as possible. As theraputic as this board can be, I believe it actually has the power to depress the happiest of people.

Anyway, my list of what-bugs-me-about-and-why-I-generally-loathe ESL teachers in Korea:

1) People who have no formal training or education in, uh, education, but ask for enormously ridiculous starting salaries. Bachelor of Music you say? 3 million won a month? Sure, why not?

2) People who have friends who teach here and think they know everything based on what their frat brothers have told them about Korea. Similarly, people who adamantly must teach in the same Gu or Dong as their friends. As if traveling halfway around the world and just being in the same damn city isn't enough. Babies.

3) People who complain about the pollution in Seoul. Newsflash: I'm willing to bet it's a lot worse in many industrialized American cities (think L.A. and Detroit for starters).

4) Bug-eyed, miscreant foreign teachers who pretend to ignore me as I look at them politely and smile when we pass each other on the street. I don't want to smile at you either, buddy; but it's that or look as paranoid android as you, and I choose the former, punchy.

5) People who drink and post on this board. It's fine to drink alone. I myself have done so many a time. But, hopping on this board in a drunken cyber-stupor and posting your inane, incoherrent and borderline psychotic drivel is NOT the move.

6) People who complain about making a 30 minute plus commute. When I was a kid we walked to school in the driving snow, uphill both ways.

Anyway, I'd like to hear what irks others.

Sparkles*_*

[kangnamdragon]

People who make no attempt to learn any Korean!

Teachers who have been here less than 1 year and think they know a lot.

Teachers who constantly ask where to get laid.

Teachers who only go to Itaewon or Hongdae on weekends.

Teachers who only hang out with other teachers.

[rapier]

I couldn't agree more. Which is why I stay away from other waygooks.
1)Friendship. Most waygooks are friends purely out of convenience. Its highly unlikely you'll make a worthwhile friend for life here in K, as the only things you tend to have in common is the same language. You're mixing with folks you wouldn't bother with if you were back home, remember.
2)Teaching: If you're going to pose as a teacher, or even talk on the subject, make sure you have some qualifications, or at least a years experience, for example.
3)Quit complaining constantly. Don't be so greedy. Look on the bright side.
4) Have some sensitivity. Think: how is my arrogant,whiney behavior likely to be percieved by others?

[kangnamdragon]

[crazylemongirl]

Actually the things that annoy me here are the same things that annoy me back home

Sexism, Racism, Homophobia and Arrogance, people don't leave those things at home.

But apart from that:

The whole I've been here for X years/months than you therefore I know everything about life here.

The cliqueness of people here. Probably most acute when I first arrived.

[kimcheeking]

Teachers who have no Korean friends, after being here for awhile.

Defineatly the newbie who is a know-it-all.

Teachers who assume everyone teaches privates and those who don't are lying or stupid.

Teachers who can not find one nice thing to say about korea, but never leave.

[Trinny]

I hate the "teachers" posting garbage on Korean ESL site. I visited there first and last time today and no thanks. the toothfairy.

[denz]

1. the angry teacher who speaks to his girlfriend (korean) like she's an idiot. i saw this guy on the bus on the weekend. i wanted to slap him. mofo.

2. i agree on the commute thing. i spend a lot of time on line 6 (80 mins back forth a day). i love it. just like back home. crossword time. plus line 6 rocks now that it has stopped smelling like piss.

3. people who only order "kalbi jooo sayyy OOO" and "bipbimbap". suckers

i have a whole list, but no time.

on the friends in korea thing, i have to disagree. i have met some fantastic people (korean and non-korean alike).

denz

ps/ release that han, tiberious. sounds like you need some downtime over some beers. drop us a PM. btw - i thought you weren't a teacher. d

[BTM]

You know what I really hate? People who start sentences with 'You know what I really hate...'

Also, butt pimples. Man, I hate them.

It's fine to say 'I don't like people who do this/that/the other thing' - hell, I agree with most of what's been said. But I do think everyone's better served by just keeping that sort of crap to yourself, honestly, and considering yourself lucky if you can find one or two people around who you can sit down and have few beers with without wanting to rip out their throats. If you got that, you're lucky.

Small things.

[Zyzyfer]

Damn, BTM beat me to the punch. You don't like people? Proud of ya, Sparky.

[richardIII]

[gang ah jee]

it really pisses me off when people talk about 'speaking hangul'.

[rapier]

How is it that Tiberius can post up a thread stating that he hates us all, and everyone agrees? I posted up a thread with the nationalities I disliked, and why. I was abused off the planet, with no sign of a moderator to step in, and nobody ever forgot it. I even made a point that it was not personal to other teachers- still, it caused total uproar. I think a few comments like "I'm not fond of (x nationality), they go on about rugby too much) is far less personal than "I hate you other fellow teachers here".
WTF!!!???

[gang ah jee]

[Mashimaro]