Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ImaTeacher]

I am puzzled by how many people on this forum repeatedly �Korea bash� and would be hard-pressed to say anything positive about this country, its culture or the people. I�m not talking about relating an occasional bad experience or venting a bit when someone has a rotten day. I�m talking about posters who consistently dump on Korea. Their mission in life seems to be looking for something in the media or from personal experience that can be used as ammunition to make some direct or implied negative generalization �� �All Koreans are_________�. or �Because someone wrote ___________it proves that Korea has nothing going for it.�

If I hated a place, I might be able to handle it for a month. Or, I might decide to stay three months to make sure I was giving it a fair shot. But if I stayed any longer than that, I would expect people to question my intelligence. I would question it myself. Judging by the �join dates� of some of the most notable detractors, you�ve been here for a lot longer than 3 months. I just don�t get it.

Do you feel stuck here? Do you feel you have so little to offer that you can�t make it in your home country or anywhere else? Do intelligent people--or ones with any self-esteem--continue to stay in a situation they hate or in a country where they dislike the people? That doesn�t make sense for any amount of money�certainly not for the amount made by most teachers in Korea. (I would be willing to give up the airfare reimbursement to escape from a situation that was making me miserable.)

Are you afraid you will �lose face� if you leave early and have to admit to people back home that you made a mistake by coming to Korea? Is this the first foreign country you�ve lived in apart from your own? I say �lived in� because there�s a difference between living in a country and being a tourist. If so, is it possible that your lack of experience (and possibly, maturity) have given you unrealistic expectations? It�s not reasonable to expect Koreans to adapt to your preferences and terms of reference. This is their country. People in a foreign country have to come with reasonable expectations and a willingness to adapt. Otherwise, they are destined to be unhappy.

Did you not do any research before you came? Or, have some of you already left Korea but don�t have much going on in your lives, so you just keep coming back to this forum to �Korea bash�? I�m just trying to understand.

Negative people attract negative experiences and they�re not much fun to be around. Have you seen older people who have lines on their faces that make them look perpetually angry? Others look like they have enjoyed life and are still enjoying life. Guess what direction you�re heading in?

News flash: Korea isn�t perfect. What country is? Find me the perfect country and I�m on the next plane.

So, unless the chronic whiners and complainers are all lacking in intelligence or self-esteem, the only logical conclusion is that you can�t find your way out of Korea. I�m sure there�s a good map somewhere that shows the way to the airport from any teaching location. �Don�t let the door hit you on the way out.�

[alabamaman]

I approve

[Juregen]

Thumbs up for this post.

I just hope they actually understand what you wrote.

[Sina qua non]

I wonder what is the difference, according to the OP, between "bashing" and reasonable criticism?

[chest rockwell]

[Juregen]

[Sina qua non]

I wonder if the OP is up for naming names, for clearness' sake?

Hmm...that might make an interesting thread.

[Woland]

[the eye]

And the drama continues....
Like sands through the hourglass...these are the days of our lives.

[Barking Mad Lord Snapcase]

Gray skies are gonna clear up,
Put on a happy face;
Brush off the clouds and cheer up,
Put on a happy face.
Take off the gloomy mask of tragedy,
It's not your style;
You'll look so good that you'll be glad
Ya' decide to smile!
Pick out a pleasant outlook,
Stick out that noble chin;
Wipe off that "full of doubt" look,
Slap on a happy grin!
And spread sunshine all over the place,
Just put on a happy face!
Put on a happy face
Put on a happy face
And if you're feeling cross and bitterish
Don't sit and whine
Think of banana split and licorice
And you'll feel fine
I knew a girl so glooming
She'd never laugh or sing
She wouldn't listen to me
Now she's a mean old thing
So spread sunshine all over the place
Just put on a happy face
So, put on a happy face

[Woland]

[numazawa]

Hub of Asia her ass!

[JongnoGuru]

[cubanlord]

[Zulu]

Me, me! Pick me!!
I'm outta here real soon, can I still play?

I agree with Imateacher on one thing tho' - people, if you can't stand it here do yourselves a huge favor and go for something else. If you're an English teacher or whatever there are plenty of other places to work, right? Don't sell yourselves short by staying too long in a place that ain't for you. I've met plenty of smart foreigners here who I think feel trapped, but just get up and go. You can do better if that's what you really want.