Korean Job Discussion Forums

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Well, I can't argue against your point about being nice...

I came to much the same conclusion myself. Maybe that's why the ones I really liked ended up breaking it off, and the ones I didn't like as much fell head-over-heels for me?

I had thought about being not-so-nice to every girl I meet. Not a jerk -- just not try to please too much.

Imbroglio · Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2003 7:15 am Post subject:

Manifest plainness,
Embrace simplicity,
Reduce selfishness,
Have few desires.
Lao-tzu (604 BC - 531 BC), The Way of Lao-tzu

IconsFanatic · Joined: 19 Jan 2003

Laozi's over-rated.

Try Zhuangzi!

Imbroglio · Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2003 10:16 am Post subject:

Zhuangzi is an accomplished philosopher and understanding requires thinking philosophically along with him....that being said...I'll do my best! Yikes!

IconsFanatic · Joined: 19 Jan 2003

I feel Zhuangzi is a much better writer than Laozi.... very poetic.

But the main reason I'd recommend ol' ZZ is because his book is a manual on Daoism for average blokes like you and me, whereas Laozi's trying to teach a political leader how to incorporate Daoism into that particular occupation.

Both are good reads, though!

knelly · Joined: 12 Jan 2003

People people...I think we've missed the point here...let's focus on what's really important. To the teacher who was used and discarded by a co-worker...regretable and painful...can I get her phone number?

teacher · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

Will,

Just want to apologize for any flaming. Sorry. Take it all in stride. I am, however, looking for a more honest opinion about some of the 'woman' co-workers here. There just seems to be a clash.

Captain Obvious 2.0 · Joined: 09 Jan 2003

Kyrei · Joined: 22 Jan 2003

Looking at things from the other side:

As for Korean co-workers, my wife is Korean and works in a hagwon. She has told me that over the years (five in her current school) she has befriended many native-speaker teachers. It seems though, in many, many cases the only time the these teachers approach her is for some kind of translation, help with bills etc. and never for anything simply friendly. That and the fact that they leave all the time. She has almost given up getting really close with anyone since inevitably they will leave and she doesn't like to have to deal with that year in and year out.

Kyrei

william beckerson · Guest

Teacher: It's all cool with me.

After a year here, I have come to this conclusion: It sucks to work in a hagwon, (ooo! Big shock there) for just about everyone but the hagwon owner. That feeling of frustration and insecurity felt by the foreign teachers is also felt by the Korean teachers.

I tend to feel more sympathy for the Korean teachers because they do get the short end of the stick most of the time. AND I'm not the one trying to explain to mommy why her non-studying, 10 year old son isnt United Nations-translator-level fluent in English after three months.

Dealing with those unreasonable howitzers deserves war pay.

TobyWhite · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Gumi

angela · Joined: 17 Jan 2003

I felt such a sense of relief when I read this message. I am having many of the same problems, and kept feeling like it was me, that I wasn't communicating, that I might be too pushy, etc etc. Now that I am almost finished this term with the Korean teacher, and she is leaving, I have just given up. She acts like a spoiled child, and I am totally tired of trying to deal with her. I would rather work at home and make the materials I need for the class. I admit that I am hanging on by the skin of my teeth, and my emotions are getting the better of me, but I can't wait to get away from her, the school, this whole country. I need to travel, get out of here for awhile and find my perspective. Right now, I wake up and my first thought is, "God, I am still here." But, I agree, no matter what I did to try to create a sense of teamwork and professionalism, she would pout, not speak or even try to communicate. I think they think we all do privates too, and the resentment runs deep. They need to form an Association, then a Union. The women in Korea get treated like slaves, and they need to be LIBERATED, just like the women in the 60's-70's did. By catering to their whining, it only weakens them. I hope the Korean teachers that work with us get so ticked off, that they actually stand up for themselves and do something about it. We can't do much for them. If we stand up for them, they get lambasted behind closed doors. It has to come from them, from their own desires to better their situation. I know they get paid peanuts, they are scorned by the owners and managers. It is time for them to REVOLT!!!!

Guy Incognito · Guest

I didnt get sweet FA from my Korean co-workers. I liked it that way.

IconsFanatic · Joined: 19 Jan 2003

Everyone else on other board swears by giving gifts and kisses the ***es of all your Korean co-workers.

A good idea, or a waste of time? Will the nice ones be nice, and the not-nice ones be not-nice, regardless of your initial gift-giving and ass kissing?

I'm asking this in terms of culture, specifically work relations. I realize all people are different, and that my actions will obviously affect their actions, but is kissing some major backside worth it? Or would it be best to suss out who's nice, and only invest time striking up friendships with them?