Korean Job Discussion Forums

[laogaiguk]

I've finally settled into Asia.

Yesterday, the English teacher came up to me and asked, do you have a schedule for your teaching? I show him what I have (I have always not planned too far in advance, especially at this public school). He then asked for a complete class by class schedule (topics and basics of what you are going to do) not just for this semester, but fall semester too, alluding to giving it to him that day. The scary thing is, I said, "Well, I can have this term to you tomorrow, and the next one the next day." without even blinking an eye. I then started to do it. Not one bit of complaint in my head but now that I am basically finished and bored, I thought about what he really had just asked me to do. Not an small thing and most definitely something that should have been brought to my attention before the start of this term, let alone now. I've been living in Asian countries too long. Back home I would have told my boss (in a nice way) to shove it and give just a bit more advance notice.

I think people who truly adapt to Asia's work habits will probably live a lot longer, as when they go home and see what people there complain about and get stressed about, we will just say, "Ha, that's nothing."

[Angelus]

Good outlook. It may add a few years to your life.

[Zark]

I am a teacher trainer in Thailand and from the very first day I write on the whiteboard "Flexibility!"

While we do get those kinds of problems - I tend to believe that our overall stress levels are MUCH lower. But. . . maybe you are right - maybe part of it is because we don't have to get all puffed up with assertiveness and positioning. Usually we just chuckle and do it. Done. Forget it.

[Ya-ta Boy]

For me, it depends on my state of mind.

At my last job, the first three years I was able to maintain a balance and manipulate things well enough that I didn't have too much problem with the chaos. The last year I was there, and I don't know why I stopped using the strategies that had been working, I was in one confrontation after another with the boss. The demands were no more outrageous than previously, but I didn't handle them as well.

In my new job, I'm back to my old non-reactive style.

For me, it seems to be related to how rested I am. Before the last job, I was unemployed for about 8 months. Before this one, I was unemployed for exactly 8 months.

I have come to realize that I need fairly lengthy breaks from Korea if I am to calmly handle the idiocy of working here.

[TheUrbanMyth]

[Ya-ta Boy]

Oops. Posted in the wrong place.

[Ya-ta Boy]

It wasn't just an Oops. It was a double Oops + about 5 Critical Errors thrown in.

[elynnor]

...

[mindmetoo]

Every time I get a last minute schedule change at work, I always chuckle and remind myself of the 8 office changes in three years I had to undergo working for a dot.com in Seattle...

I've said to before, if you've ever worked in an office in North America, you quickly realize no place is ever well run, works to any obvious plan, or has employees with a good grasp of their responsibilities. Hagwons aren't much different. Well, I guess the difference is in North America you're always pretty sure you'll get paid at month's end.

[laogaiguk]

[Yu_Bum_suk]

I'd have given him this:

[mindmetoo]

[princess]

[laogaiguk]

[laogaiguk]