Korean Job Discussion Forums

[chloe]

I am contemplating a move to South Korea - I've read these threads about the South Korean women's obsession with being thin. I am blonde, 5'10" and 150 lbs. I am not petite by any means and do understand that because I look different, I will stand out in a crowd. I've lived in South and Central America, so am quite accustomed to such a reality. I am worried, however, about being completely ostracised because of my appearance. Is this something that I should worry about?

[Tarheel13]

Korean men love big white women. You'll love dating two guys at a time. It should be a lot of fun for all three of you.

[Mark7]

Yeah,

Ditto with the other guy said, except dating two other guys at the time, I don't think that's a good idea.

Korean men like foreign ladies, especially you because you are different looking. With you being tall and 150 lbs, which is thin for that height, you'll probably seen as a fashion model because tall is good, and you will be seen as elegant and beautiful. You will be held with a foreigner's type of respect.

From my experiences on my first trip to South Korea, Koreans are very kind to foreigners because they want to make a good impression about their nation, and at the same time once you get to know Korean friends they will go out of their way to help you out.

Don't get down on yourself about appearance, but use it as a means to teach others about the diversity of life.

[Qinella]

You don't sound too fat to me. 5'10 150lbs? That's not bad.

Now, that doesn't mean people won't call you fat, though, so if you're really sensitive, you need to prepare for that. For example, I have just an average amount of hair on my arms, but kids love to call me monkey and try to pet my arms. When I teach them what "fur" means while we're talking about animals, they inevitably point to my arms as an example of fur and laugh.

The guy I replaced at my hagwon was described to me by the students as being fat, but in my opinion he's just overweight. I'd say he's 6'2 and maybe 210lbs. That's not really fat, but they called him pot-belly.

But, really, just prepare yourself for that. Koreans might be blunt about appearances, but it's not meant to be insulting.

[heydelores]

I'm 5'7" and 140 lbs, and I've been called fat and had children ask me if I'm pregnant. Then there's the whole big nose deal. Ahh, sweet little Korean children . . .

Clothes shopping is a pain if you're not in a major metropolitan area and sometimes even in a major metropolitan area. I tried on a skirt that was just a smidge too small. When I handed it back to the sales woman, she said, "Maybe you need diet!" I've also had people laugh at me in stores when I've asked if they carry my size (US size 10, hardly big!).

I'm prepared for the comments, so it doesn't bother me, but if you can't laugh about it, you'll have a hard time. On the other hand, I've had complete strangers come up to me and say I'm beautiful, which never happened at home!

[Mark7]

What the two previous people have mentioned were very good examples about a major cultural difference between cultures.

I'm half-Korean, so one thing noticed when I grew up around Korean friends and family is that they are never afraid to mention and are blunt when it comes to your appearance. I'm used to it. When I visited my aunt last year in Seoul, she called me "ugly," yet just laughed it off. I didn't care, that's just how Koreans are. My mom makes comment about my weight or my appearance, and also to my brother if we are getting bigger on the stomach. That's just how they are. One of my mom's friends always comments on my hair and what I need to work on in terms of muscles.

We all know if we said those kinda things in the West, we would get into some ugly confrontations. Its just difference of culture, that's all, don't take it too personal because its a total mindset about appearances.

[Grotto]

I think we shouldnt jump to any conclusions without more concrete proof!

Any pics

[jacl]

Cultural differences, smultural differences. It's just plain rudeness. A lot of Korean people have a lot to learn about how you should talk to strangers and mere acquaintances. I mean, I can take it, but when someone mentions the same flaw you have just about ever time you see them, it gets a bit irritating. I now have a bank of comebacks. That usually settles the guilty party.

I'll bet that if you came back with a "Well, you're a babo" to that sales clerk who told you that you need a diet that she wouldn't take it with a grain of salt.

[ella]

5'10" and 150 is "big"? I'm 6', when I was doing triathlons I was 165 and my modeling weight (in the 80's) was 143. You're stretching things a bit by calling that "big."

Just make sure you do your clothes shopping ahead of time at home, or online. That's what I'm doing right now, although it's a bit daunting to buy clothing at all once for an entire year.

[anyway]

good point, jacl. That shoe don't fit so good on the other foot...

If someone makes those kind of comments to me, I just say "thank you so much" as if they paid me the biggest compliment of my life. Or I just tell them "don't look at it (my tired face, messy hair, etc.)"...

[VanIslander]

Don't worry about it.

But be prepared for a CULTURAL DIFFERENCE: You will hear people, especially kids, say "You are big." "You are fat". "You King Kong" "You big nose" etc.

It's just a blunt statement of fact from their point of view. Nothing especially rude.

If you can take statements made matter of factly without any big attitude then you'll do all right.

I think people sensitive about their bodies would have a harder time here.

[crazylemongirl]

I'm blonde and the same height, but 10 pounds heavier. Just for the record, you aren't big. Tall, yes. But not big!

Anyway as for apperance, you should be fine. You will be viewed as having the amazon women thing going on, but I've found that useful in teaching as a way to scare the crap out of the kids. A lot of people are going to assume that you are russian (read hooker) and act like jerks, but there are jerks all over the world. The Koeran ones are relatively harmless, mostly all talk but no action.

You may have trouble finding clothes here, but with the internet it isn't a big deal. Keep your orders under 150USD and you'll be sweet.

[poet13]

king kong..... i get that too, though I'm hardly big. 5'9" a little over 190. I think it's the hair..... I think I have a big nose, and my smallest kids love it. They think I can smell anything and I tease them by leaving some things hidden around the classroom and "smelling" them out. "I smell a blue eraser....who has a blue eraser? No one? But I can smell one!" Then I sniff it out. When you're having a down day and attention span is less than the superb 45 seconds you're used to, a few minutes of curiosity and laughter can turn a class around.

[seoulsista]

5'10 and 150! You must be quite thin! Don't worry about it. I was really worried about that as well. I am the same weight minus 5 inches and I certainly have been asked if I was pregnant (2x) and been called fat (2x). But I am also regularly told I'm beautiful. Which is always awkward. That's Korea. They just think that's okay.

[oldfatfarang]

Just a few of the comments I've had from Koreans.
You are fat. You have thin lips. Your nose is big. Your nose is pointy. You have big eyes. You have big smile. You are short. You are fat. You have white skin. You have Grandfather hair. You have monkey hair. You are rich! You have red face. You have big hands.
You are handsome. Teacher I love you.

All this, and more I can't remember right now, including kids pulling your arm and leg hairs.
But the best comment goes to my Director when he was 'training' me to be a 'professional' TESL Teacher: "Your smile is too wide".