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Yu_Bum_suk
Joined: 25 Dec 2004
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 Posted: Fri Jul 28, 2006 6:22 am Post subject: Canada's really not such a bad place ... at least to visit. |
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After just finishing an exhuasting week leading a school trip around the Vancouver area I have to say that Canada and Canadians are pretty damn nice. There are ridiculous inconveniences, like department stores closing on Friday evening, having to drive to special outlets to get beer, having to drive to do just about anything, having to wait 45 minutes and pay $75 to renew a driver's licence, etc. But, poor city planning and expensive, inefficient bureaucracy aside, Canadians have a pretty nice society. Some examples:
- bumping into someone where the fault is 50/50 and the other person immediately saying 'oh, sorry'.
- waitresses patiently replacing orders that the customers screwed up themselves.
- a mayor of a municipality of 135,000 taking time to meet with a group of visiting Koreans on three days' notice.
- drivers letting people who need to get in a lane in front of them about 75% of the time.
- a road full of drivers all pulling over for an ambulance and stopping until it goes by.
- people in the neighbourhood I'm staying usually saying 'good morning', 'how do you do?' or 'how's it going?' when passing by on the street.
- people being careful not to litter.
- people not giving a damn how you're dressed, what your hairstyle is like, if you have tattoos or body art, or even (as I've been pleasantly surprised) if you smoke.
If you could combine the politeness of Canadian society with the convenience and job market of Korea, what a spectacular country that would be indeed. |
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RACETRAITOR
Joined: 24 Oct 2005
Location: Seoul, South Korea
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| Posted: Fri Jul 28, 2006 8:29 am Post subject: |
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| I was surprised last time I went back, that every time I passed within half a meter of anyone, they'd automatically say sorry, even if they didn't touch me. |
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rothkowitz
Joined: 27 Apr 2006
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| Posted: Fri Jul 28, 2006 8:32 am Post subject: |
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| On the Tube,just getting from one side to another is like an exercise in extreme social manners. |
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blaseblasphemener
Joined: 01 Jun 2006
Location: There's a voice, keeps on calling me, down the road, that's where I'll always be
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| Posted: Fri Jul 28, 2006 8:45 am Post subject: Re: Canada's really not such a bad place ... at least to vis |
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| Yu_Bum_suk wrote: |
After just finishing an exhuasting week leading a school trip around the Vancouver area I have to say that Canada and Canadians are pretty damn nice. There are ridiculous inconveniences, like department stores closing on Friday evening, having to drive to special outlets to get beer, having to drive to do just about anything, having to wait 45 minutes and pay $75 to renew a driver's licence, etc. But, poor city planning and expensive, inefficient bureaucracy aside, Canadians have a pretty nice society. Some examples:
- bumping into someone where the fault is 50/50 and the other person immediately saying 'oh, sorry'.
- waitresses patiently replacing orders that the customers screwed up themselves.
- a mayor of a municipality of 135,000 taking time to meet with a group of visiting Koreans on three days' notice.
- drivers letting people who need to get in a lane in front of them about 75% of the time.
- a road full of drivers all pulling over for an ambulance and stopping until it goes by.
- people in the neighbourhood I'm staying usually saying 'good morning', 'how do you do?' or 'how's it going?' when passing by on the street.
- people being careful not to litter.
- people not giving a damn how you're dressed, what your hairstyle is like, if you have tattoos or body art, or even (as I've been pleasantly surprised) if you smoke.
If you could combine the politeness of Canadian society with the convenience and job market of Korea, what a spectacular country that would be indeed. |
Alberta is over the Rockies. The Government is not socialist like in BC, so the booze stores are everywhere, open at ungodly hours, and there are registries for licences of all kinds, everywhere. A drivers licence takes 10-15 minutes, with basically no line-ups. government run businesses mean shytey run businesses.
Glad you had so many positive things to say though. Being over here, you forget some of those things, like the ambulances, and people letting you in. Seems like another planet! Damn, now you made me homesick. |
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jacl
Joined: 31 Oct 2005
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| Posted: Fri Jul 28, 2006 11:08 am Post subject: |
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Yeah, me too. I'm probably a better person from coming overseas. Haven't been back in over 3 and a half years.
They mind smoking more here in Korea? Hadn't thought that way, but, how that I'm thinking about it, it could be true. Hmm. Even though there seem to be (are) more smokers in Korea... Maybe it's just because you're a teacher that people seem to mind more here. Or you think they do. I think that smoking is generally less accepted back home. |
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drumpounder
Joined: 20 Jun 2006
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| Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2006 3:30 am Post subject: Re: Canada's really not such a bad place ... at least to vis |
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| Yu_Bum_suk wrote: |
After just finishing an exhuasting week leading a school trip around the Vancouver area I have to say that Canada and Canadians are pretty damn nice. There are ridiculous inconveniences, like department stores closing on Friday evening, having to drive to special outlets to get beer, having to drive to do just about anything, having to wait 45 minutes and pay $75 to renew a driver's licence, etc. But, poor city planning and expensive, inefficient bureaucracy aside, Canadians have a pretty nice society. Some examples:
- bumping into someone where the fault is 50/50 and the other person immediately saying 'oh, sorry'.
- waitresses patiently replacing orders that the customers screwed up themselves.
- a mayor of a municipality of 135,000 taking time to meet with a group of visiting Koreans on three days' notice.
- drivers letting people who need to get in a lane in front of them about 75% of the time.
- a road full of drivers all pulling over for an ambulance and stopping until it goes by.
- people in the neighbourhood I'm staying usually saying 'good morning', 'how do you do?' or 'how's it going?' when passing by on the street.
- people being careful not to litter.
- people not giving a damn how you're dressed, what your hairstyle is like, if you have tattoos or body art, or even (as I've been pleasantly surprised) if you smoke.
I'm really looking forward to coming back I leave Friday August 4. WHAT AM I GOING TO DO WITH YOUR CAT???? 
Cruise monkey leaves Tuesday August 1.
If you could combine the politeness of Canadian society with the convenience and job market of Korea, what a spectacular country that would be indeed. |
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drumpounder
Joined: 20 Jun 2006
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| Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2006 3:33 am Post subject: Re: Canada's really not such a bad place ... at least to vis |
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| drumpounder wrote: |
| Yu_Bum_suk wrote: |
After just finishing an exhuasting week leading a school trip around the Vancouver area I have to say that Canada and Canadians are pretty damn nice. There are ridiculous inconveniences, like department stores closing on Friday evening, having to drive to special outlets to get beer, having to drive to do just about anything, having to wait 45 minutes and pay $75 to renew a driver's licence, etc. But, poor city planning and expensive, inefficient bureaucracy aside, Canadians have a pretty nice society. Some examples:
- bumping into someone where the fault is 50/50 and the other person immediately saying 'oh, sorry'.
- waitresses patiently replacing orders that the customers screwed up themselves.
- a mayor of a municipality of 135,000 taking time to meet with a group of visiting Koreans on three days' notice.
- drivers letting people who need to get in a lane in front of them about 75% of the time.
- a road full of drivers all pulling over for an ambulance and stopping until it goes by.
- people in the neighbourhood I'm staying usually saying 'good morning', 'how do you do?' or 'how's it going?' when passing by on the street.
- people being careful not to litter.
- people not giving a damn how you're dressed, what your hairstyle is like, if you have tattoos or body art, or even (as I've been pleasantly surprised) if you smoke.
I'm really looking forward to coming back I leave Friday August 4. WHAT AM I GOING TO DO WITH YOUR CAT????
Cruise monkey leaves Tuesday August 1.
If you could combine the politeness of Canadian society with the convenience and job market of Korea, what a spectacular country that would be indeed. |
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cruisemonkey
Joined: 04 Jul 2005
Location: Hopefully, the same place as my luggage.
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| Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2006 11:06 pm Post subject: |
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Dear Yu_Bum_suk,
Miss Dragon was delicous!
Pseudo-Chinese food in a stir fry with red peppers and garlic beats the K-cafeteria or hospital slop any day. I'm sorry but I just could't stand to see her suffer. See you when you get back to the Land of the Mourning Insanity
All the best,
CM  |
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Ilsanman
Joined: 15 Aug 2003
Location: Bucheon, Korea
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| Posted: Sun Jul 30, 2006 12:18 am Post subject: Re: Canada's really not such a bad place ... at least to vis |
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The job market here sucks, dude.
Only the English teaching market is good. One specific market.
| Yu_Bum_suk wrote: |
After just finishing an exhuasting week leading a school trip around the Vancouver area I have to say that Canada and Canadians are pretty damn nice. There are ridiculous inconveniences, like department stores closing on Friday evening, having to drive to special outlets to get beer, having to drive to do just about anything, having to wait 45 minutes and pay $75 to renew a driver's licence, etc. But, poor city planning and expensive, inefficient bureaucracy aside, Canadians have a pretty nice society. Some examples:
- bumping into someone where the fault is 50/50 and the other person immediately saying 'oh, sorry'.
- waitresses patiently replacing orders that the customers screwed up themselves.
- a mayor of a municipality of 135,000 taking time to meet with a group of visiting Koreans on three days' notice.
- drivers letting people who need to get in a lane in front of them about 75% of the time.
- a road full of drivers all pulling over for an ambulance and stopping until it goes by.
- people in the neighbourhood I'm staying usually saying 'good morning', 'how do you do?' or 'how's it going?' when passing by on the street.
- people being careful not to litter.
- people not giving a damn how you're dressed, what your hairstyle is like, if you have tattoos or body art, or even (as I've been pleasantly surprised) if you smoke.
If you could combine the politeness of Canadian society with the convenience and job market of Korea, what a spectacular country that would be indeed. |
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Paji eh Wong
Joined: 03 Jun 2003
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| Posted: Sun Jul 30, 2006 1:54 am Post subject: |
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The job market here sucks, dude.
Only the English teaching market is good. One specific market.
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Its not even that good after you've been here for a couple of years. |
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Ilsanman
Joined: 15 Aug 2003
Location: Bucheon, Korea
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| Posted: Sun Jul 30, 2006 2:00 am Post subject: yes |
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Well I have earned more money each year I have been here (3 so far), and I do mean significant raises. 20% or more.
But I have 3 more years in me, then back to my homeland.
| Paji eh Wong wrote: |
| Quote: |
The job market here sucks, dude.
Only the English teaching market is good. One specific market.
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Its not even that good after you've been here for a couple of years. |
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poker player
Joined: 27 Sep 2004
Location: On the river
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| Posted: Sun Jul 30, 2006 9:19 am Post subject: |
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I've been back in Vancouver for 2 weeks and here is what I appreciate:
-Courteous drivers-I used to think BC drivers were bad until I started driving in Korea
-A game of golf on a good course for under $100
-Spending 15 minutes in a beer store trying to decide which of 100 different brands to buy.
-Good Canadian wine-yup you read that right-the Canadian wine industry is now producing some incredible wines-white more than red
-An infinite variety of restaurants
-Going for a walk for about 2 hours without 1 kid staring at you or screaming "nice to meet you" and then laughing as they run away
-Courteous people everywhere
-The value of my house has risen almost 30% since I went to Korea 2 years ago
What I don't appreciate:
-Tipping-OMFG did I really just give the waiter a loonie tip for bringing me a beer?
-Having to buy booze in a govt outlet at an inflated price
-CNN coverage of the war-yes it's awful but 24x7? Come on!!
-Courteous people everywhere
-Having my friends ask me why I work in Korea
-People who are in their 30s who are so fat they need a motorized walker to go out. Damm that's gross.
Finally, the job market here is booming. Maybe because of the Olympics I dunno but if you want a decent job here if you have at least 5 years experience doing something there are plenty of good jobs. |
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blaseblasphemener
Joined: 01 Jun 2006
Location: There's a voice, keeps on calling me, down the road, that's where I'll always be
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| Posted: Sun Jul 30, 2006 5:09 pm Post subject: |
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| poker player wrote: |
I've been back in Vancouver for 2 weeks and here is what I appreciate:
-Courteous drivers-I used to think BC drivers were bad until I started driving in Korea
-A game of golf on a good course for under $100
-Spending 15 minutes in a beer store trying to decide which of 100 different brands to buy.
-Good Canadian wine-yup you read that right-the Canadian wine industry is now producing some incredible wines-white more than red
-An infinite variety of restaurants
-Going for a walk for about 2 hours without 1 kid staring at you or screaming "nice to meet you" and then laughing as they run away
-Courteous people everywhere
-The value of my house has risen almost 30% since I went to Korea 2 years ago
What I don't appreciate:
-Tipping-OMFG did I really just give the waiter a loonie tip for bringing me a beer?
-Having to buy booze in a govt outlet at an inflated price
-CNN coverage of the war-yes it's awful but 24x7? Come on!!
-Courteous people everywhere
-Having my friends ask me why I work in Korea
-People who are in their 30s who are so fat they need a motorized walker to go out. Damm that's gross.
Finally, the job market here is booming. Maybe because of the Olympics I dunno but if you want a decent job here if you have at least 5 years experience doing something there are plenty of good jobs. |
no "game" should cost that much money. I do love to play, but come on. That's a fkin joke. Let's see, grass+sticks+little ball+3-4 hours=$100+  |
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poker player
Joined: 27 Sep 2004
Location: On the river
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| Posted: Sun Jul 30, 2006 7:29 pm Post subject: |
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| blaseblasphemener wrote: |
no "game" should cost that much money. I do love to play, but come on. That's a fkin joke. Let's see, grass+sticks+little ball+3-4 hours=$100+ |
Oh I agree but it's about $300 to play a decent course in Korea and good luck getting on. I played a great course yesterday in vancouver for $60 that used to cost $35 2 years ago. Supply and demand at work. |
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jacl
Joined: 31 Oct 2005
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| Posted: Sun Jul 30, 2006 7:34 pm Post subject: |
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Golf costs way too much in Korea. If it didn't, I'd be out there all the time. And if there were any decent rivers and brooks, I'd be fishing, too!
Korea is booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooring! |
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