Korean Job Discussion Forums

[bijjy]

Wow, what a nice, unexpected occasion!! It's like Christmas in May!

What did you get from the kiddies?

[Demophobe]

Nothing. It's a holiday. Tomorrow though....

[JeJuJitsu]

I may never ever have to buy socks again....ever.

[sjrm]

got a couple of flowers, and some nice cologne, and best of all, the kids were a lot better than usual.

[VanIslander]

bananas what's up with that?

and green tea, apricot juice and a rose

[sjrm]

[tomato]

One year I got a bottle of deoderant.
I hope the children weren't trying to tell me something.

[Hater Depot]

Haha. Yeah, I got some soap today.

[happeningthang]

I'm teaching a range of classes - and got a range of gifts.

Coffee, coffee mug, a key ring, 100 buck voucher at Shinsagae, and a boquet of flowers.

It's making up for last year, a time of shampoo and socks.

[crystal]

got some bath elixir - don't have a bath though - a shower and body lotion gift set, hair ornament, cell phone dangly thing and some chocolates and candy

[KumaraKitty]

Gourmet Chocolate cake with gold flakes on it(would have rather had more socks), Nike socks, Espoir perfume(Mom will enjoy it!), a beautiful hand made ribbon-art lavender sachet that my student's mother made, some fabric roses that smell like cheap perfume, soap flowers for my non-existent bath tub, and a few handkerchiefs.
When I taught Kindergarten the haul was much bigger. I am disappointed in the lack of socks this year, they usually stock me for a year! Oh well, beggars can't be choosers I suppose!

[bijjy]

Yeah, preschool and kindergarten are where the bounty's to be had. The catch I reeled in today included:

+ starbucks travel mug and coffee gift cert
+ 14 k gold earrings (!!)
+ mother of pearl letter opener
+ cake, rice pastries
+ box of exquisitely decorated little heart-shaped cakes
+ darjeeling tea
+ socks
+ hand lotion
+ pantyhose
+ Pepperidge farm cookies
+ cutely scrawled notes and cards from the preschoolers (aww!)

Some of my coworkers got hankerchiefs, dayplanners, roses and potted plants.

[Natalia]

All the usual stuff.

And kids coming up to me and telling me they love me. Thanks, now where's my bloody present?!

[joyfulgirl]

wow, nice haul there, bijjy..i'm impressed. i got a rose, some candies, and a very nice shirt. the funniest bit was my co-worker's gift of 3 pairs of panties. (expensive, silky things). thank god she didn't open it until the kids had gone tonight. can you picture her opening them in class? "wow, thanks, billy, these are lovely.." as she holds them over her jeans..."the pink pair will match a bra i have! and now let's all turn to page 27.."

[Real Reality]

Giving Gifts for Teachers Day
May 15 is Teacher's Day in South Korea, and to honor their teachers, students will be bring them flowers, write compositions in appreciation of them, and even participate in sports competitions with them. Parents also often give gifts or gratuities to the teacher. According to an article in the Nishinippon Shimbun, surveys indicate that parents spend a minimum of 100,000 won on these gifts (roughly US$100), while cash presents can go as high as 3 million won (roughly US$3,000). Instead of cash, reports the paper, it is not unusual for teachers to receive gift certificates, gold bracelets, Western liquor, foreign cosmetics, or nutritional supplements.
Japundit: Polishing the apple (May 15, 2005)
http://japundit.com/archives/2005/05/15/polishing-the-apple

Teachers, Parents Oppose 'Cash Gifts' Customs
Teachers and students� parents are waging a war against "chonji," a gift of cash, ahead of Teachers� Day which falls on May 15. Chonji literally means "a little token of gratitude to teachers," which is usually offered by students� parents to curry favor for their children with their teachers and to avoid disfavor.
By Chung Ah-young, Korea Times (May 5, 2006)
http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/nation/200605/kt2006050517563411960.htm