Korean Job Discussion Forums

[robyn1882]

I have posted about 8 posts on the forums here, and I have noticed that people respond so negativly to peoples questions and concerns. Can anyone tell me the reasoning behind this. I am moving to Korea at the end of June and was super stoked when I found this forum because I thought it was awesome to have people who went through the same questions and concerns as me answering the questions I had on this HUGE life changing decision. Yet often times you have people who respond with the most negative, ridiculous comments, and often times I have noticed it is the same people over and over. Why not say something useful that will actually help someone else out instead of trying to frustrate them even more!!!

[STP]

this place is run by 3 or 4 MODS and half dozen of their groupies....

just jump on the plane and come on out, it's an adventure and as long as you keep a good sense of humor you'll be just fine.

I lived in Korea for 5 years before packing up for HK, send me a pm and I'll pass along any advice.

[Kyrei]

This is not one of those inane posts, but a sincere word of advice. If the idiotic or assinine responses to posts on this board are enough to irk you, I'd think twice about living here. Use the board to help build up callouses on that thin skin - its a survival tool!

[blaseblasphemener]

OP,

Don't know how old you are, but here's my "theory of negativity" on this board.

Many posters are in their 20's, and that is a time when people are especially opinionated/insecure. With age/life-experience/children this type of miopic behavior tends to lessen significantly.

Also, the anonymity (sic?) of this forum brings out of the worst in many people. Back home, we call them arm-chair quarterbacks.

In the end, Korea is not a place to fear, as wherever you are, there you are, as they say. You will have a good or bad experience based on you, not anyone else. But, Korea will allow you experiences that will broaden you, and that you could not have at home.

good luck.

[capebretoncanadian]

[Lizara]

First of all... this place is about as insulting as many of the other internet forums I've visited, and considerably less so than some. I think it's more of an internet thing than specifically a Dave's thing.

Secondly, a lot of us have been around long enough to have heard the same questions over and over and over again. I have no idea what you've been posting about, but if it's a common newbie question, that might explain some of the negativity.

Thirdly, yeah, there are some real asses who post here *grins* Just ignore them and focus on the helpful responses you get.

[Veronica Rose]

I really think that Lizara is on to something.

Frankly, the internet is a bit of an aggressive place and recently I've noticed quite a bit of bad attitude just about everywhere I go. So much so that I was just about to post about this on my private blog. But it doesn't bother me that much personally. It's just something that makes me wonder about human nature in general. Do people try to make themselves feel better by making other people feel worse?

That being said, I don't even think this forum is that bad. You get all types here, just like in 'real life,' and luckily if somone is slamming you for no reason there's usually someone else willing to step in and say something. If I was getting slammed and no one was defending me than I'd be incined to wonder what it was I said that was so offensive/naive/off the mark in the first place.

Consider it a good way to toughen up, as Kyrei suggested. I always see these debates (flame wars) as a fun challenge. Maybe I'm just weird.

[Rteacher]

Just read my posts - they're so positive that they overwhelmingly counteract all the negative stuff posted by others...

[JongnoGuru]

[VanIslander]

I think the op is in part reacting to a post of mine that did have attitude in it, but also was essentially about the issue at hand:

This is what I heard: Gee, I have this young cat, about a year old, and I gave it away, only the person I gave it away to isn't liking it much and the cat's not fitting in, so, I'm wondering, about bringing the cat with me when I come to South Korea.

This is what I basically said: DON'T! If there's any chance you'd give the cat away to anybody in Korea at any time then don't. If there's any chance of the cat getting outside also for any period of time, don't. Korea is not a kind place for a cat to live a long and healthy life.

Yeah I overreacted at parts with the language a bit, but wow, if VanIslander is too negative for you, then you have a rude awakening in store when some other posters respond.

You gotta see the essence of things and not let the little things get to you. Or else you may find yourself having a real tough time here, and i don't mean with fellow expats.

[gypsyfish]

Posting on Dave's and teaching/living in Korea are two different things. You don't have to log on to Dave's and can still have a rewarding experience in Korea. It's nice to be able to get tips about Korea and teaching, and you can do that on this site, but there are others that meet those needs, too.

Posters are jaded or tired of dumb questions or questions that have been asked and answered ad infanitum. I kind of agree with Kyrie, except I think that if the responses irk you, find a different site.

But don't let hurt feeling keep you from coming to Korea.

[eamo]

You know what?

Living in Korea changed my life.

It gave me a invaluable training in my profession as a teacher. It gave me disposable cash in my pocket. It gave me substantial savings in the bank. It gave me many, many,many, great nights of fun and madness. For gods sake it gave me the best wife I could ever dream of!!

Yet, I can still see the flaws of this society and I reserve the right to come on here and talk about those flaws.

Korea has many drawbacks. If we decide to be all nicey-nice then we are are doing a dis-service to those here and those planning to come here.

[blaseblasphemener]

here here

[eamo]

Actually, after re-reading the OP I realised he/she is talking about not getting a constructive response to his/her questions. I guess it's not about the being-negative-about-Korea after all........Shame....

[jazblanc77]