Korean Job Discussion Forums

[OptimalOptimus]

Critiques Korea all the time: http://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/opinon/2009/12/137_57546.html
And the majority of you guys sound way too wounded over an article whose basic message was give some/get some. Get a life and read all of someone's work before you judge. Lame.

[cabeza]

You have to admit though, it is kind of poorly written.

[cj1976]

To be fair to him, he did say some foreigners here are idiots. We all know that this is actually true. I have met some first class morons here who I would never let teach my kids (if I had any).
However, I don't know why he felt the need to bring it up - as the majority of foreigners here are good people.

[jazzmaster]

I actually agree with part of his final paragraph: "Multiculturalism, racial acceptance, respect, and a more cosmopolitan atmosphere is a two-way street. Host countries have to give some, as well as foreigners", but he hasn't really highlighted and consistent problems within the foreign community.

His problems listed in the article are thus:
1. Foreigners didn't want to join a Korean hiking club.
2. Foreigners make nasty comments about Koreans.
3. Friend of a friend didn't like Korea.
4. He also mentioned alcohol abuse and violence.

1.Regarding hiking clubs - I don't like hiking. I also don't like joining clubs. Perhaps the other people asked to join felt the same way. If they want to go hiking they can do it without having the need to join a club. I don't see how this is disrespectful to Korea or relates to people finding speaking in Korean 'worrisome'.

2. Making nasty comments is bad. I've never heard a foreigner saw any of the insults he mentioned. I have mentioned "adjushi smell' (a mix of garlic, kimchi, cigarettes and soju) to my Korean friends. They found it hilarious and said there is a similar phrase in Korean. But if he has met foreigners who "whisper, or not, online and off," (?) these phrases then he should speak up against it.

3. Korean cities are not attractive. Koreans need to accept this. The Japanese destroyed many of their historical monuments and building, and since then Korea has not taken care of many historical buildings. The prices in Korea are also high compared to much of Asia. For the friend of a friend to want "authentic" Korea does not to my mind mean "poor, underdeveloped, and unwashed". It suggests he is disappointed with the lack of historical buildings in Korea and the domination of soulless high rise buildings.

4. I don't go out much at night so I don't know how much alcohol abuse and violence there is.

Seems to me the writer has a chip on his shoulder and has found a news outlet willing to support his stream of tedious prose. This fool and the KT are truly a match made in hell.

[mayorhaggar]

It's one thing for Koreans to write anti-foreigner stuff in Korean in their own newspapers aimed at Koreans. It's another for Koreans and non-Koreans to write anti-foreigner stuff in an English newspaper aimed at foreigners. Seems like the Englishee papers here do this a lot. Not really a logical way to ingratiate yourself to your readers, but we all know about Koreans and logic.

[Weigookin74]

Maybe if he sucks up really well and puts others down, it'll make him look better and he can be a well loved foriegner by the Koreans. But, his unpure blood means there will always be a barrier he can't cross no matter how bad he wants to become Korean.

While there are some foriegn idiots. I'd like a few to get the kick in the @$$ they deserve. By no means is it a majority of us. Do most of us come here thinking Koreans will love us for simply being white? Some recruiters still use outdated lines from the 1990's and don't understand the meaning of "upgrade" or the expressions "times change". Some recruiters still say Korean girls love white guys and that Koreans will wonder in amazement at you.

While some of these recruiters will lie and need their own kick in the @$$, most of us are not so niave and know how to do some research before actually coming over here. I recall back in the mid 2000's reading some posters comments on here that if girls like you in the west that they'll like you here. But, that you would encounter a lot of racism from Koreans so many of those same girls wouldn't actually date you. Far different from the lines used or tales told by recruiters.

Still most foriegners I've met have been decent fellows who never did anything bad. Well spoken sir, you are both sparkling and dynamic!!


Keep sucking up and hoping for the approval you'll never actually get in the long run. Good luck with that!

[Gnawbert]

[Steelrails]

At least he went with a slightly less angry and psychotic looking photo for his latest article.

Dude needs to smile. Positive and happy can sell too. It's an article, not your driver's license.

[ghostrider]

He's certainly no Shakespeare, but at least he is trying to be more fair and balanced than some of the guest writers in the past that wrote for the
Korea Times. Schertzer thought he was the god of the ESL world and only true teacher. Thiessen had a superiority complex too and his articles were mostly crap. There was also lady who criticized winking expats. That article was probably the most ridiculous thing I've ever read.

[El Bandito]

[hogwonguy1979]

[dairyairy]

[dairyairy]

[atwood]

He does come across as bitter about something. But who cares? There are more than a few foreigners trying to score points with their employers and other by bashing other foreigners.

But I've never heard anyone use the terms he mentioned. Maybe he was making all of it up.

[Unposter]

While this is a poorly written and poorly argued hit piece, I don't blame the writer, I blame the newspaper for either not reading what they publish, not understanding what they read before publishing or having some of the lowest standards of journalism. Can you imagine a similar piece in a newspaper in your home country?

I would guess the Korea Times publishes such drivel because they think it will sell papers and be the talk of the water coolers in hakwons across Korea as people wait with baited breath for next piece to make their blood boil.

It is similar to people enjoying reading a troll.

These articles will probably continue to be published until we stop talking about them.

Personally, I stopped reading the Korea Times a long time ago because of such articles. The Korea Times has been regularly publishing such drivel for years.

I certainly would never buy such a paper that would publish such an article.

I even used to use the Korea Times in class before but I haven't in years because of such articles.

But, that is just me.

You can ignore the troll or you can feed it.

It is up to you.