Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Gamecock]

I was teaching science in a Korean middle school class this week and we were discussing the benefits of chewing food thoroughly to aid in digestion. Suddenly, one of my students loudly objected, saying that excessive chewing was dangerous (especially excessive gum chewing) and would give you a square jaw! Nods of assent followed from the rest of the class.

Never having heard this medical gem of knowledge before, I assured them that this was probably a myth parents told young children to discourage them from chewing gum. However, my students strongly objected (in the same manner as our past "fan death" debate), stating that this fact is well-known by all Koreans and has been verified by Korean scientists.

Just when I think I can't be surprised any more, Koreans provide me with new "knowledge." Have you heard of the "square jaw?" Does the bone structure of your face change? Is this another belief in the category of fan death/magical properties of kimchi/etc. or is there something to this? Hmmm...Is a square jaw considered unattractive in Korea? Because I was thinking I'd like to have a little sharper jawline. Maybe I need to start chewing gum more...

[caniff]

If you make loud smacking noises while you chew it you will be able to avoid the syndrome known as 'square jaw'.

[Qinella]

Is it possible to increase the size and definition of your jaw muscles? If so, that would probably give your jaw a more square look. That being said, I think what you've heard is a cultural myth. Glad to know it!

[Yesterday]

Just yesterday (or maybe the day before)... I was reading these posts by these newcomers/newbies - complaining about how some foreigners who have been here longer than 4~7 years continually bash-korea.....

but actually - I have lived here longer than 5 years - BUT I am about to support this argument about how STUPID many koreans are -

my reply is not about chewing gum but supports the same argument.....
just yesterday I was telling one of my korean (male) students how dirty his belly button was (after he happily displayed his dirt-black hole to everyone in class) - and after explaining to the students that he should wash it - every student told me - OH NO! washing the belly button is so bad!!! if you wash it or touch it - you will become very very sick (and maybe die) - our mothers told us!!!!!!

I went on to tell the students how crazy the ajumas (their mothers) are in korea - and that it was all bull~~it - however - could not convince them that actually cleaning (everywhere) was in fact good for them....

so yes - this is not korean-bashing (although today is the Korean national holiday for Koreans to bash americans, the japanese ((especially)) and other countries - such as the swiss and french etc etc) - however - many Koreans do have many STUPID beliefs - that I guess no matter how much you try to explain to them - that their thinking is wrong - you can never change their thinking.........

it probably also explains why getting on the subway during summer is such a smelly experience - and YET korean students are always so quick to tell the foreign teacher - YOU are so dirty - but I guess they have never washed their asss or other smelly bits of their body before.......

[laogaiguk]

I've met several Western non-bathers (don't wash under their arms or their feet) and boy I can barely stand around them. Which is worse, not washing due to ignorance or not washing because, well I don't know why these Westerners didn't

[Qinella]

I was playing an online game once a few years ago and I made a joke saying I'd been so caught up with the game that I hadn't brushed my teeth in three days. The other people playing were rightly grossed out, and one guy sent me a private message saying, "Haha! Man I haven't even showered in over a week! LOL!"

[craash]

[laogaiguk]

[Juregen]

[cdninkorea]

Wow, I never smell any funkyness on the subway, unless it's really packed and hot. This always surprises me since Koreans, as far as I know, don't use deodorant.
Maybe I have a bad sense of smell? There goes my dreams of being a oenologist... ( )

[Woland]

Chewing kimchee will square off your jaw, too.

It also cures B.O. (Actually, there's a serious explanation, cd; you can find it in an ancient thread if you search hard enough. I'm too lazy to look for it.)