Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jaganath69]

Geez I have changed in the three years I have been here, from bitter Dr Livingstone type here to bring civilization to the natives to someone finally starting to see how the whole shebang comes together with a better appreciation of its internal logic. Maybe its the wife's pregnancy hormones floating around the aparteu, the older woman in my morning uni class who brought me in a bunch of sticky rice cake or the joy of watching the kids at my elementary school scoff it down then give me a big hug afterwards. Anyhow, given the soppy mood I'm in, let me hear you say something nice about Korea as a whole or one or a number of Koreans you know.

Me...

Two of my Korean co teachers, women in their 20s are just absolutely adorable. They can never go too far to help me out, despite the fact that I should be able to do things myself. They are good team players who will never pull the "this is the way things are done here" card and will credit a good idea from any of the three foreign teachers at school. Also, the people in my neighborhood despite being mostly blue collar and not so worldly are always friendly, say hello and never run away screaming at the sight of a 6'6" whitey.

there you go.

[Junior]

[Paji eh Wong]

Koreans are willing to put up with anything and everything to ensure a better life for their kids, which I think has turned out far more good than bad.


Isn't it amazing what a reasonable work situation will do for your outlook?

[jaganath69]

[Ya-ta Boy]

I'm getting carpal tunnel syndrome from having to wave back at the 1,000 students in my new job. I feel the need for a Barbie Doll-size clothes hanger to put in my mouth by the end of the day so it will appear that I'm still smiling back at all the big smiles I get in the hall between classes.

Koreans are quite the friendly crowd.

[jajdude]

My boss just gave me a little birthday party. We all had cake and beer. Plus it was payday even though we just started (new hagwon) 3 weeks ago, so I'm pleased.

[SPINOZA]

Considering Korea is an uncosmopolitan, insular society, it is not inhospitable to foreigners, I find - quite the opposite. They do very well. For me, the friendliness is ubiquitous, so I can only assume the folks who take the opposite view to me are either woefully unlucky or, like a magnet and iron filings in school science classes, attract negativity just by their very being.

Of all the times I've required help, be it from someone I've asked directions, a subway dude, people in shops, bank staff, colleagues, they've always been helpful and cheerful. First time I walked round with a Koeran girl I hadn't read much of the shyte on here, thus didn't notice any acrimony from passers-by. I wouldn't have given a toss anyway, but still. Second bird I went out with, I did notice, but generally one observes what's on one's mind. If you go into a room looking for a fork, you won't notice the alarm clock, the shirt, the magazine...because a fork is what you're focused on.

Moreover, shops and sellers are all hospitable to foreign customers. Most can't afford to be picky, since my green's as good as anyone else's, and also, considering there are shops on the same street selling the same thing, stuff's cheap, rates are high and competition fierce, service never fails to be friendly.

If you've had bad service in Korea and your life sucks, victims must be worthy of contempt. If your life's so utterly grim in this cheerful, downright SOFT country, it's because you're an abomination you evoke disgust in all who encounter you.

[Qinella]

Okay, well today I went downstairs to get something out of my scooter and was accosted by a sizeable brigade of two-foot cuteykins. I put my key in the ignition to unlock the storage compartment, got my stuff out, and got carried away talking to my little friends. Afterwards, I headed back up, not giving another thought to my keys until three hours later, when it was time to go home.

I rushed downstairs to find my scooter still there, keys still in the ignition. Whew~

Thanks locals!

[brento1138]

This morning...

Recently there's been almost a cab shortage in my city. So, standing outside, I was waiting (first) for a cab. A little ajuma came along, and being the good guy that I am, I let her go first... (however, I think she did the "avoid noticing me thing" and missed the fact I actually "let her" take it). Heheh.

Okay, so I am waiting for another cab. So I wait, wait, and wait. And a cab pulls up, and this Korean guy (20ish) runs in front of me and opens up the door, stealing my cab... until he notices me. I stand there, my arm outstretched, looking a bit shocked someone had just taken away my ride. But no, as soon as he notices me, he stops, and says "sorry" in English and motions for me to get inside. I say "Kamsameeda" to him and off I go, smiling, thinking, "yeah, Korea... yeah!"

Wasn't that a nice guesture in Bali Bali Korea??

[Tiberious aka Sparkles]

[tiger fancini]

There's a really cool guy who works in a restaurant near my APT. I walk past every day, and he always smiles and does a military-like salute at me. I've never actually spoken to this guy, or eaten at his restaurant, but he's always there and sometimes it feels like he's actually waiting for me. I saw him on Sunday morning at the bottom of our local mountain. He was on his bike, and I was with my friend walking up to the hiking trail. I didn't recognise him, but he recognised me