Korean Job Discussion Forums

[waltjocketty]

I was reading this article: http://theseoultimes.com/ST/?url=/ST/db/read.php?idx=1203

and wondering how much people who have been here for years have noticed this supposedly growing trend of people hating English teachers. Do that many English teachers really get beaten up/mistreated around here? I know it happens, but this article makes it sound like walking into Seoul is like a Jew walking into Iran or a black person walking into Idaho. What's the reality of the situation? Is this writer just looking for attention?

[waltjocketty]

I think my link didn't work...I'm trying to link you guys to the article entitled, "Foreigners fear for safety in South Korea," and not the article entitled, "Me want to talk to you, 2 minutes, come baby," although both are great reads. If you get the link to the latter article, go to the bottom of the page and you can find the article to which I'm referring.

[buymybook]

Those are like 2 years old.

[waltjocketty]

and your point...? i'm just asking about people's experiences.

[Ya-ta Boy]

I think that same article comes out about once a year.

[Paddycakes]

I lived in Korea for almost 3 years.

Never had a serious problem, other than the typical school BS.

Generally, though, Koreans tend to treat other Koreans worse than foreigners, unless maybe you're from SE Asia.

Sure you get stared at, but what do you expect? You're an oddity in a very homogenious country.

ESL Teachers: You get the impression reading this forum that Koreans spend every waking moment wondering what ESL teachers are up to.

I suspect 99 percent of them could care less except for the odd nut-job.

Generally I'd say most ESL teachers are more racist toward Koreans than Koreans are toward ESL teachers.

The sense of superiority is so imbued in the North American psyche, that it can't help but come out in any 2nd world, developing country like Korea.

[Len8]

Happens all the time on hooker hill Itaewon bars and what have you. Happens at other places too, but so what.

If you happen to be in the vicinity of some action, please use your digital camera and keep us all posted.

Would liven up Dave's quite a bit.

[jaganath69]

As if you'd take anything that semi-literate bog-trotter monkey Purcell has to say seriously. He is to journalism what cancer is to having a good time.

[SPINOZA]

I'm sick to death of this issue, Walt, but according to my Korea is SOFT! thread, over four-fifths of 64 votes agreed with my contention that Korea is not merely safe (including for foreigners) but actually SOFT! The remaining 18% who voted "no - Korea is not soft, it's actually dangerous and unpleasant" are one sad little troll and his 9 socks.

I agree that there is xenophobia in Korea - an unease around foreigners from some people. It's by no means everywhere you look, but it's noticeable. But attacks, physical violence against foreigners is non-existent. Also, Since 2000, I've been to the USA three times, Italy twice, Turkey once, Australia and New Zealand and Singapore and, of course, South Korea. Of those countries, I find Korea the friendliest and easiest - and I'm not even here as a tourist. I got chucked into Seoul, in a Korean school, in a Korean neighbourhood, working with real live Koreans every day.

Female posters have complained about attacks or over-zealous come-ons by drunk Korean guys. That I can see happening. However, if you're a male, the general consensus appears to be that you'd have to a wimp of truly comical, astounding proportions to think Korea differs in any way from my view.

[Ya-ta Boy]

[Newbie]

Saying that it is a really big problem is ridiculous.

Saying that "physical violence against foreigners is non-existent" is even more ridiculous.

[Qinella]

I never felt threatened..

I did enjoy reading that article you linked, though. It's very funny the way he puts down Itaewon, yet obviously spends a great deal of time there. I laughed out loud at this line, though: ...soon the only people not involved were ourselves and a gaggle of peroxide whores standing nervously in the corner.

[Moldy Rutabaga]

The article is perhaps a little dated. But I'm hoping the OP has more posts so that we can see his avatar more often!

Ken:>

[peter07]

[Satori]