Korean Job Discussion Forums

inspector gadget · Joined: 11 Apr 2003 Location: jeollanam-do in the boonies

I too see many examples of this in korean society, you don't have to look to far or hard to see it. I don't know if I would call it obsessive, in some cases yes but not in most. I think wierd is the word I would use.

Here are some examples I have seen

What did you eat for breaky? kinchee, rice, fish.
What did you eat for lunch? kimchee, rice, meat
What did you eat for dinner? kimchee, rice, meat and fish

Cell phones, why is it everyone needs one???? doesn't matter if your 9 years old or 90 years old, other people have one so I must have one. Why? Insecurity 101, they freak out if they don't have the cell phone with them.

The miniature pillow on the dashboard of your car with your cell number on it. Not all cars have them but its a high percentage. Why? my rationalle is that they don't know how or where to park and again the insecurity thing.

Couple clothes as metioned previously, that is just hillarious, I still laugh and take a picture every time I get a chance.

Housing, to me its all the same also, the apartments are generally all the same, I think the construction companies have like 5 designs and thats all they build, drab.

The face visors, enough said, Copious amounts of make up on a huge percentage of women to make them look white.

periwinkle · Joined: 08 Feb 2003

At my work, my team tests an average of 1500 very, very well travelled guys. One of the questions was "What do you dislike about being overseas?" Nearly everyone (who was asked that question) responded that they disliked eating foreign food, and they always search out Korean restaurants. One guy even said his wife usually packs do shi lak for him. When we ask the reverse question, not once have the guys ever mentioned they like eating foreign food. Not once. I figure it's a cultural thing. I've tried to figure out the root of the tradition, but I can't quite put my finger on it.

Anyway, to the OP, I hear you, girl. My hubby is fairly picky, but thank God he likes a range wide enough so that I can make our meals western for half the week and Korean for the rest of the week! I just have to say NO ONE beats my sister, though. That girl won't try anything new. Last time I went home she wouldn't touch kimchi, and although she tasted my Pad Thai, she decided she was better off making her own dinner.

flotsam · Joined: 28 Mar 2006

Yo!Chingo · Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Location: Seoul Korea

tomato · Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2006 7:46 am Post subject:

How has fear of the unknown affected you in the workplace?

I got driven out of my last job because the director didn't like any original ideas.
Rather, she wanted me to teach according to Korean tradition.
Heaven only knows why she hired a foreign teacher.

Now please, I'm not saying that all Korean directors are like that.

Guri Guy · Joined: 07 Sep 2003 Location: Bamboo Island

Confusionism (pun intended) is a philosophy that is anti-change to the core. Korea has been through a lot recently and has been forced to change at times but it still holds unto that idea in principle.
If Korea wants to really progress in the world, they need to ditch Confusionism.
Lack of change leads to sameness and the desire to keep things the way they are. Korea will stagnate and regress unless they realize this I think.

Satori · Joined: 09 Dec 2005 Location: Above it all

Conformity has been a value that worked for Koreans in the past, I don't think it works so well now in the current reality. Also, with such a turbulent past, involving a lot of invasion, upheaval, poverty, and hardship, my guess is that stability and routine as a form of comfort has been somewhat burned into the national psyche.

LexLibra · Joined: 09 Jun 2006 Location: in the library

[quote="flotsam"][quote="LexLibra"] My Honey[/quote]

WTF?

This OP doesn't sound trollish at all?

[quote="LexLibra"]Been how many years? I hung out at the Hangout '98-01.[In Ansan] And your avatar reminds me of Chad teacher...[/quote]

And the joined date is...[/quote]

Flotsam, please stop. I was in Korea from '98-01 and I keep up with Dave's because my husband is Korean and quite possibly I will return someday. I am neither troll nor Korea-basher, but I am apparently an Aspie, along with My Honey (my Korean husband). Really all my question was asking is "why won't he eat my seafood salad/hamburgers or try new food at US restaurants, and has anyone noticed anything similar in their Korean friends/SO/spouse's?" It's such a simple little question.

flotsam · Joined: 28 Mar 2006

You got it.

EFLtrainer · Joined: 04 May 2005

jinju · Joined: 22 Jan 2006

Satori · Joined: 09 Dec 2005 Location: Above it all