|
Korean Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
kermo
Joined: 01 Sep 2004
Location: Eating eggs, with a comb, out of a shoe.
|
 Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2005 1:28 am Post subject: |
 |
|
| I had a friend from Iran who came to live in Canada, and was appalled at the lack of knowledge and media coverage of world news. She claimed that the average Iranian was much savvier about current events than Canadians. It's hearsay, of course, so take it for what it's worth. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Sooke
Joined: 12 Jan 2004
Location: korea
|
| Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2005 4:20 am Post subject: |
|
|
This is just a theory, but here goes:
Those individuals who are interested in world affairs and news programs are much more aware of the world around them. Those individuals who are not interested in world affairs and news programs are less savvy about the world around them.
What am I thinking? Canadians are the stupidest people on the planet followed by Koreans and Americans. But none of y'all is a smrt as me!!! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Tiger Beer
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
|
| Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2005 6:08 am Post subject: |
|
|
| kermo wrote: |
| I had a friend from Iran who came to live in Canada, and was appalled at the lack of knowledge and media coverage of world news. She claimed that the average Iranian was much savvier about current events than Canadians. It's hearsay, of course, so take it for what it's worth. |
This is the same EVERYWHERE!
She thinks this way because she knows the media in at least TWO different cultures/countries whereas everyone else in Canada only knows ONE (well, plus the US one).
When I was in Europe.. I thought the EUROPEANS were terribly misinformed!! Why? Because I knew A LOT more about the world from having lived in North America, South America, and Asia!! They had absolutely no clue at all about any of those - not even the U.S. one which they seem so preoccupied (yet so unknowledgeable about!)
In Korea.. same thing.. all the foreigners seem to know A LOT more about international affairs.. but if you took a Korean person and threw them in Ireland for example.. there is a really good chance the Korean person knowing media sources in a couple different places will be MUCH more informed on issues than the average IRISH person in Ireland!! Particularly when issues come on in the media about Japan, Korea, China, etc.! And since they had the interest to go to Ireland, they probably have a really good sense of things in that part of the world as well! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Ilsanman
Joined: 15 Aug 2003
Location: Bucheon, Korea
|
| Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2005 6:41 am Post subject: Re: yes |
|
|
| thorin wrote: |
| Ilsanman wrote: |
| funplanet wrote: |
| Canadians are not far behind...and I say that as a CANADIAN! (and American and Irish) |
I disagree. I am not ignorant of other countries and either are most of my friends from home. Given, in the past, I mostly knew about North America and Asia, now I know a lot more about Asia from living here and travelling. I am in no way a book of knowledge of the world, but neither am I ignorant. |
And you speak on behalf of your whole country because why again? |
Read my post again. Or do you need a remedial English course? I also said most of my friends from home. That speaks for a lot of Canadians, not just 1. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Deconstructor
Joined: 30 Dec 2003
Location: Canada
|
| Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2005 10:25 am Post subject: Re: Striking Similarity shared by SK and US |
|
|
| billybrobby wrote: |
| But I digress. Hell, you don't need to go to SK to find something we Americans don't know about. Maybe 90% of us don't know the prime minister of Canada. or the capital. frankly, i didn't know either one until i moved here and met so many canadians. |
Hey! It's difficult to know where Canada is, son, tucked nicely way down below like that.
______Homer Simpson to Bart |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
poddubny
Joined: 03 Aug 2004
Location: i have NO avatar privileges!
|
| Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2005 10:44 am Post subject: Re: yes |
|
|
| Ilsanman wrote: |
| thorin wrote: |
| Ilsanman wrote: |
| funplanet wrote: |
| Canadians are not far behind...and I say that as a CANADIAN! (and American and Irish) |
I disagree. I am not ignorant of other countries and either are most of my friends from home. Given, in the past, I mostly knew about North America and Asia, now I know a lot more about Asia from living here and travelling. I am in no way a book of knowledge of the world, but neither am I ignorant. |
And you speak on behalf of your whole country because why again? |
Read my post again. Or do you need a remedial English course? I also said most of my friends from home. That speaks for a lot of Canadians, not just 1. |
so, that's 3 now... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
jajdude
Joined: 18 Jan 2003
|
| Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2005 10:23 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| After more than 5 years in Korea, I cannot name one Korean actor. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Swiss James
Joined: 26 Nov 2003
Location: Shanghai
|
| Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2005 11:09 pm Post subject: |
|
|
not even Yonsama!?
 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
jinglejangle
Joined: 19 Feb 2005
Location: Far far far away.
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2005 12:07 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Knappstar wrote: |
haha thanx matt
things get a little fuzzy after a bottle of soju for us lightweights
you need to be careful of your language on these english teacher boards.  |
Haha. Excellent response. That's hysterical.
Koreans call our pres "Bushy" because they can't pronounce the word Bush.
I'm sure you've noticed, but they have a tendancy to tack a long e on the end of a lot of names to begin with, so put the two together and you wind up with Bushy.
I think though, that SKoreans are ignorant for different reasons than the US.
SK has an inferiority complex which makes them not want to know, and the US has a superiority complex which makes us not care.
Either way though, I wish we'd both just snap out of it.
Ha ha. Someone tell the ROKs and the US to get a life quick. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
jajdude
Joined: 18 Jan 2003
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2005 1:59 am Post subject: |
|
|
| I think what is frustrating is when people show no interest or curiosity about other countries. I think, "Man, it is all in the same world, ya know." It would be pretty dull if it was all the same. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
mercury
Joined: 05 Dec 2004
Location: Pusan
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2005 2:51 am Post subject: Re: Striking Similarity shared by SK and US |
|
|
| Knappstar wrote: |
They both, for the most part, have NO idea whats going on outside of our little world.
Before coming here, I thought the typical American had to be the most ignorant people in the world when it came to knowing about other cultures. Now I know we are at least in a tie with SK.
Ask the average American who the president of SK is, and they will have no idea. Ask 75% of my middle school kids who the president of America is, and they have no idea. And those who do know him only as "Bushy."
Ask the typical American what their favorite non-American food is, and they'll probably say "Chinese..ya know, like moo-shoo pork. Or Italian, like pizza hut." Ask the typical Korean, and so far it seems like they will say "You mean everyone doesn't eat the same food we do?"
Ask the typical American to name 3 SK actors, athletes, or musicians, and they will have no idea. Likewise, out of 15 kids I teach who are at least 12 years old, none of them know who Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neal, Tom Cruise, Madonna, or Justin Timberlake are. One girl knew who Christina Aguilera is. I tried to play that game where you put a sticky note with a famous persons name on your forehead without looking at it, and people tell you about yourself and you guess who you are. It failed miserably. "Teacher Teacher.. Michael Jordan who??" Only one of the top 10 most recognizeable names ever.
This post isn't a rant, because it doesn't exactly bother me. In fact, I'm kinda relieved. Up until recently, I was convinced Americans were the most insulated people (on average..I know there are exceptions) world wide. Now, I am beginning to think otherwise. |
Dang, what happened, did some American take your girl away? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Ilsanman
Joined: 15 Aug 2003
Location: Bucheon, Korea
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2005 7:35 am Post subject: Re: yes |
|
|
| poddubny wrote: |
| Ilsanman wrote: |
| thorin wrote: |
| Ilsanman wrote: |
| funplanet wrote: |
| Canadians are not far behind...and I say that as a CANADIAN! (and American and Irish) |
I disagree. I am not ignorant of other countries and either are most of my friends from home. Given, in the past, I mostly knew about North America and Asia, now I know a lot more about Asia from living here and travelling. I am in no way a book of knowledge of the world, but neither am I ignorant. |
And you speak on behalf of your whole country because why again? |
Read my post again. Or do you need a remedial English course? I also said most of my friends from home. That speaks for a lot of Canadians, not just 1. |
so, that's 3 now... |
It that some childish joke, saying I don't have any friends? I remember hearing crap like this when I was in elementary school......... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Ilsanman
Joined: 15 Aug 2003
Location: Bucheon, Korea
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2005 7:37 am Post subject: yes |
|
|
Today I thought I would tell my class about my travels in Korea.
I drew a map of Korea, and labeled some cities. They didn't know any.
I pointed to the middle of the southern coast and some kid said 'Incheon'.
When I said, 'No, Yeosu', I got a big 'ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh' from them. I did the same for Mokpo, but they said 'Daejeon'.
How could I know more about their own country? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
jajdude
Joined: 18 Jan 2003
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2005 9:23 am Post subject: Re: yes |
|
|
| Ilsanman wrote: |
How could I know more about their own country? |
How old are they?
Kids don't know much. Nor care much. They just want fun. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Sooke
Joined: 12 Jan 2004
Location: korea
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2005 9:29 am Post subject: |
|
|
I hear ya.
I was doing an exercise in my book (a writing class) in which they had to use adjectives to compare things. The example in the book was florida/alaska. (the book was looking for something along the lines of :"Alaska is bigger than Florida." Knowing my students, who happen to be university level at one of the most prestigeous universities in the country, I decided to change the question to Kang-won-do/Jeju-do. They had no idea which province was bigger. I was like, "Well, which p[rovince is bigger, Jeju-do or Kangwon-do?" They had absolutely no idea!!
But they can drink like Mo'fo's and I'm sure there's a lot of rape going on.  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
