Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Smithington]

[fosterman]

never heard that one.

have heard korea is the italy of asia though.

lol

what ever

[edwardcatflap]

Having lived in Italy for a long time I can safely say that the two countries and people are different in almost every single aspect. With the possible exception that both sets of guys are into self grooming to an exaggerated degree. Let's face it, and not surprisingly, the Koreans most resemble the Japanese. Just as Eamon McKee would concede, if he wasn't talking to a bunch of Koreans at the time, the Irish most resemble the English.

[saram_]

From Tom Coyner, and his work/research in his book.
�Doing Business in Korea: An Expanded Guide.�

He had this list reviewed by both Irish and Korean business professionals before publishing apparently.

1. Among the most religious populations in their respective parts of the world, with a comparatively high rate of regular churchgoers.

2. Very family-oriented and take sides along clans quite readily.

3. Extended families gather frequently, regardless of members� ages, to share being together, often taking turns entertaining each other by singing songs.

4. Compared to their neighbors, they wear their hearts on their sleeves.

5. Quick to fight and quick to forgive.

6. Famous (or infamous) for their drinking habits.

7. Less regarded for planning and better known for forming successful if chaotic teams at the last minute.
8. Have a healthy disregard for authority, but will at least superficially show and demand honor and respect as tradition dictates.

9. Often ask strangers about their hometowns due to regional stereotyping.

10. Quick to laugh and quick to cry�as well as to break out into song and verse.

11. Known and respected beyond their borders for their music and ability to entertain beyond language barriers.

12. The nation is divided as a result of foreign power intervention.

13. Well-regarded for their sense of humor and playing of pranks, while have little use for the person who cannot laugh at him or herself.

14. Nations were colonized by island neighbors, and were forced to speak the language of their oppressors.

15. Traumatized by the colonial experience, with additional decades required to psychologically recover�as a result, a collective behavior of being a bit edgy, nervous and inhibited at times compared to that of their neighbors.

16. In recent times, their respective Diasporas have somewhat reversed for the first time due to the nation�s rapidly developing economy.


Agree with most of these points. There are a good few similarities that can't be argued with.
I think though 16 is a little inaccurate regarding Ireland given the current state of the Irish economy. This list is probably a few years old at least!

[edwardcatflap]

[cj1976]

Both countries have a huge chip on their shoulder (which they seriously need to let go because it is just tedious to hear it for the millionth time), regarding their former colonialist neighbours.

[T-J]

[edwardcatflap]

[T-J]

By the way, I've held this opinion since the early nineties. Posted it here recently:

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=216466&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=ireland&start=15

[edwardcatflap]

[aq8knyus]

The historical comaprisons could be seen from the opposite direction. Ireland is strongly influenced legally, culturally, politically and linguistically by its powerful neighbour in the same way that China and particularly Ming China influenced Korea.

In any case Ireland's relationship with the other Island was complicated mainly by the sectarian divide. Religion wasn't quite as central in the Korean context.

That and Ireland was not some passive victim for the better part of a millenium, for centuries Ireland like Scotland was a powerhouse of the UK&I imperial expansion. Not unwilling victims but colonisers and imperialists in their own right.

[edwardcatflap]

[happiness]

i worked with an irish girl and man, was she a nationalist. she sounded just like the old korean ajushhis but she was really young. only 5 million pop. in Ireland, guess you got to fight...

[Mix1]

[Died By Bear]