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some waygug-in
Joined: 25 Jan 2003
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 Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2003 8:02 pm Post subject: |
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Hey Austin. Just wanted to say I'm sorry if you felt I was out of line with my comments in that other thread. I can see that you are not above putting your own "negative" comments on this board. Indeed, one of the most surprising aspects of this line of work, (for me anyway) has been learning how to deal with my fellow teachers. At times I have had more trouble dealing with the other foreigners here than any of the Koreans.
The only thing I want to say is "live and let live". I know it's a tired expression, but it does hold some truth. Just do your best, ignore the crap they feed you, but do try and be friendly to them in spite of the way they may act towards you. There is nothing more disarming than a big smile and a friendly attitude. (after all, isn't this what you were telling me about dealing with Koreans?)
I am not trying to be a smart-ass, if it seems that way I apologize. Just do your best, let your co-workers fix their own messes.
Tell your boss that it's not your job to supervise your co-workers.
Cheers
P. S. It would be nice if posters on this forum remembered that other posters on this forum are real people with feelings and concerns similar to their own. Would you say some of the things that you post to someone's face? Who is really being rude here?
Some waygug-in  |
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William Beckerson
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| Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2003 8:15 pm Post subject: Re: Constructive advice... |
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To be honest, the first thing I would change is Austin's attitude.
Granted, not everyone is the way they come across online, but if you are the same in reality, there are a few things that I can suggest for you that my help your situation.
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| I work with six other foreigners, and only one has any teaching credentials other than myself. |
Try to realize that this is the norm in Korea and until your boss starts hiring only pros, this wont change.
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| The director and I are very close and he asked me to help the other foreigners improve their teaching and their performance in general, |
Your coworkers probably see you as a total ass-kissing punk. It's unfair and it may even be untrue, but it wont make them likely to want to listen to you. Nobody likes a lacky.
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| My intuition tells me that things are going to get ugly, as the resentment is setting in on the other foreigners... Suffice it to say, I do not care for most of the foreigners as human beings, |
No person is stupid enough to not realize when someone doesnt like them. You're a smart guy, you can figure out how to bury that contempt deep enough for them not to notice. As for the resentment part, do they know how much you're getting paid, and do they know that you dont like them?
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| their work ethic is pathetic, |
That may or may not be true. I'm willing to bet that it may be the case of an over-acheiver looking down on those who just want to come in, do their job, and go home. But I'm not there, so I dont know if this is true.
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| they drink excessively |
If they're drunk at work, they should be tossed out the door. If they go and get drunk on their own time, that's none of your business.
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| Please know that I only socialize occasionally with the one teacher. |
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| Outside of work, I do not interact with the rest of the foreigners that I mentioned above (though I tried initially, but their conduct on the streets and in the restaurant embarrassed me, as they were totally uncouth and crude). |
A guy like you not realizing how important being social with your coworkers is? Yup, foreigners here can be total idiots, but how much of it is you being stuck-up? I dont usually socialize with my coworkers either, but they dont hate me for it because I dont look down on them for it.
You dont have to go bar hopping with them, but the occasional dinner would have been acceptable. There IS a reason Korean employers keep taking us all out to eat, or for MT. However, it sounds like you may be past the point where a round of soju can fix things.
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| and they are abrasive and rude to Koreans. |
Aint no excuse for that.
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| Most importantly, they treat the students with disdain. |
Disdain or dislike? Remember that they havent been trained to deal with all of the assclown things that kids will throw at teacher. I've been doing this job long enough to be able to let most things go by, (hell, I'm even finding drawing pictures of dung to be a hoot) but even I dislike the "puk you" kids. And dont go telling me there aint no rotten kids.
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| Fortunately, they fittingly recognize that I do not have their best interests, but the best interests of my boss and these kids. They may hate me and resent me for being so positive and dedicated to teaching, as it makes them look bad, but I am not going to lower my personal standards to make them more comfortable. |
Read the above again.
Now read this;
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| I am willing to assist the other foreigners, but they have no desire to receive any of the suggestions that are being offered (no surprise there). |
It's no wonder they dont want to listen to you. Cant you see the connection between this problem and the previous quote?
I may have mentioned this to you in PM, but online you tend to hold yourself up as a shining example of how a person should be. If it makes the people here not interested in what you have to say, imagine how the people who have to put up with this self-felatio every day feel.
As I've said before, I think you have a lot of useful and helpful things to say. You just have to get better at saying it.
Can you save this situation? Nope. It's too late. Your coworkers hate you. I think the best thing to do is either humble yourself before them, or shut up and stay out of their way and tell your boss to stop being a coward and do his job himself. |
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humanuspneumos
Joined: 08 Jun 2003
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| Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2003 8:42 pm Post subject: Waygug-in |
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I don't know for sure if you're feeling sorry for Austin or not- however, a tear can be the first step towards change, murder, or retreat. It's up to Austin to decide which path he'll take.
It could be Austin is far, far worse than he appears here or far, far, better- or exactly as he presents himself. It's the Austin that has been presenting himself here for a while that concerns us- suppose he changes-that has far reaching effects that don't stop at this board, but reaches into the young lives he works with.
Last edited by humanuspneumos on Sat Jun 14, 2003 9:00 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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William Beckerson
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| Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2003 8:51 pm Post subject: |
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| I don't know for sure if you're feeling sorry for Austin or not |
Who, me?
He asked what he could do to fix the situation, and I gave what I thought was the best answer. Being someone who realizes that 75% of my problems stem from my own stupidity, I feel that I can easly see where others are making the same mistake. |
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schwa
Joined: 18 Jan 2003
Location: Yap
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| Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2003 8:52 pm Post subject: |
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Wow Austin, youre an interesting enigma. I've been following your comments on other threads & I tended to agree with your 'take the higher road' stance but now youre openly displaying your inexperience & vulnerability. Thats brave but illuminating. Your pronouncements on how others should comport themselves lose all credibility in light of your evident lack of people skills. Anda's advice above is spot on -- get yourself in an all-Korean situation, they'll love you. But not in my province please.
Constructive advice? Get off your high horse. Give your head a shake. |
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humanuspneumos
Joined: 08 Jun 2003
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| Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2003 8:58 pm Post subject: I was trying to get to |
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| Waygug-in not you. I guess we're all on here at the same time and we have to be really speedy or go to PM to talk to somebody- I kind of like this better. |
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Mosley
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2003 5:31 am Post subject: |
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| Hey, Austin: Don't give us this horse hockey about how you "socialize" w/ only one other foreign teacher. You're giving yourself WAY too much credit if you expect even one reader here to believe THAT.... Hell, I don't think you can socialize w/yourself.... |
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TheUrbanMyth
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Location: Retired
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| Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2003 8:07 am Post subject: Re: Um |
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| Anda wrote: |
| Get smart Austin and get a job with EPIK then you won't be working with other foreign teachers any more. |
either that, or work at a school where there are NO other foreign teachers.
I just agreed with Anda!
( Checks apartment to see if it has frozen over yet  ) |
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humanuspneumos
Joined: 08 Jun 2003
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| Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2003 11:23 am Post subject: So, your suggestion is that Austin and his other |
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should hit the road, get out, leave the rat-race of communicating to other foreign teachers. What if:
A. Austin doesn't qualify for the EPIK program
B. Likes cuddling the owner's chair
C. Likes his students and hates his fellow-teachers (catch-22)
D. Is using this "Asking Advice" post as a "Win Friends and Influence People" tactic. (Who in their right mind would beat-up on a little old lady?) Perhaps- like Mickey once said- he read The Art of War. So, every poster is worked against the poster who hasn't thought about/knows who Austin really is. Remember, I said that the person I worked with was skilled at working people against people- he went as far as to read books on how to do it- demented huh? |
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Mody Ba
Joined: 22 May 2003
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| Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2003 2:35 pm Post subject: Ratboy,The Ultimate Authority? |
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So if Pieboy(Austin) is not actually working for EPIK now,where does he get off posting in their defense(Whoops!That word again?)
Or is that necessary?Maybe Pieboy feels he is qualified to comment on an organization without actually working for them?Has he worked for them in the past?Or does he get his special knowledge through some kind of esoteric ESP.Maybe it is the baking soda that gives him these special powers?
Would EPIK take Pieboy now?Maybe.EPIK is always desperate for warm bodies.But even EPIK might draw the line at accepting someone like Pieboy. |
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Austin
Joined: 23 May 2003
Location: In the kitchen
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| Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2003 4:39 pm Post subject: Thank you... |
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Thanks to all of you that took the time to provide constructive advice (it is refreshing to see that some people on this forum know how to read and write).
Anyway, my boss called me in early today. We went over the possibilities and options of what he can do to solve his situation, and he is going to leverage four of them out by the end of this month.
I have been asked to let the four know that if they want a letter of release, they will need to work until the end of this month. As long as they do not harm any more children and attempt to function in the capacity that they were initially hired for, they will receive the letter with a prorated severance package. However, if they fail to follow my employers stipulations, they will be terminated immediately without either of the mentioned items.
Fortunately, my boss has kept a record of the parental complaints and the attempts to address the issues with these teachers. If any of you know of any other legal road blocks, would you please PM me, as I am finished posting here about this issue.
My boss has asked me to find four teachers immediately, as he is doubtful, as am I, that these foreigners will responsibly complete this month. Moreover, there is the issue of the phone and the utilities, so he is having the line restricted to local calls only.
What is it about this country that brings out the worst in a few of the foreigners here?
If a person came across as arrogant and all-knowing to me (as I have to many of you), I would probably laugh about it, so what is it that causes others to react with hostility? Is it that the truth of their pathetic reality is staring them right in the face, and the only way to make themselves feel better is to belittle another human being? The name-calling does not upset me, but it makes me feel sad for the likes of people like Mosley and Mody Ba. What a miserable life they must lead, if the only time they can feel impowered is when they bully people on an internet forum!
I like to agitate people to see if they are capable of holding their own on an issue and deserving of my admiration, but bearing witness to the impotence of those two does not bring me any satisfaction.
These types of exchanges should be fun and entertaining, as well as, informative. The seriousness by which some people approach this forum begs the question of whether or not they are tuned in to the world outside of cyberspace.
Again, to those of you that can hold your own, thanks for the advice and enjoyment.
Best of luck in Korea! |
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ratslash
Joined: 08 May 2003
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| Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2003 5:23 pm Post subject: |
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the question that everybody has to ask is whether austin actually does work?!? because, what seems like every day, he posts a huge, long post about something or other. i for one do not have the time or inclination to write such long posts every day. nor do i have the time to even read them. i actually got up a little early today to do some emailing etc and i find myself with a little more spare time and i've spent it reading another austin post. austin, don't get me wrong mucker. some of the stuff you write is good stuff . the post about teaching privates for example. but please matie, i think that you would enjoy korea a little more than you seem to be doing if you actually got a life and didn't spend your life writing essays on dave's esl internet cafe!!!
everybody take care.
the good will come out..... |
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humanuspneumos
Joined: 08 Jun 2003
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| Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2003 5:46 pm Post subject: Austin- you are a PR magician |
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You can pull something out of nothing. If I wanted to be like you I'd use a PC-Bang. Get myself 3 or more email addresses- never worry about the ISP's because you can just change PC rooms- get myself several names on this board (Heck- you could even register my real name as a poster- "Say what? You did already! Oh, tell me something I don't know.") and use one character to antagonize, one to make your points, and one to comfort. Are you sure you shouldn't have gone into politics- here you are making meagre wages with all that ability! heee heee You could have nations in a buzz privately PMing you with love/comfort/hate mail and mail going out to all who "beat-up" on you- hee hee. Oh, I forgot, you can only have one name when you run for PM of Austintalia- heee hee
Anyway, I did think of one negative- actually two- the new release letter law might have some of these kids out in a boat for a while (9 month's of employment thing) - that is if they endure. And, they likely know you fairly well by now and wouldn't come here to use the liberties you enjoy- vent/post/and other things you do here at Dave's- so, I feel sorry for them on that account. They'd have to never want to work in Korea again to post here at Dave's as you have been faithfully hanging here for years-on behalf of your owner, entertainment, or your friend?
Folk- this guy is hilarious. Anyway, I guess we'll all be waiting to see if this one small event in Korea TESOLdom bubbles over to Dave's.
Bottom Line
____________________________
Misinformation is your best friend when you're a politician.
Last edited by humanuspneumos on Sun Jun 15, 2003 6:04 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Mody Ba
Joined: 22 May 2003
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| Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2003 5:53 pm Post subject: Ratboy Knifes Four Colleagues in the Back |
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King Rat.Moseley described the guy(SCSA) to perfection.
SCSA is a guy who helps knife("leverage out") four of his colleagues and then has the unmitigated gall to post on Dave's and gloat about it.SCSA,your latest post has revealed more about your true character than anything Moseley,I or anyone else could say about you.
Here is a little s---k-p who delights in knifing four colleagues,pandering to his boss and then he goes on a public forum and gloats about it.
And then he tries to make comments about other people being "arrogant and all knowing"...but he is looking for people "deserving of my admiration"
Then he states "I like to agitate people".Maybe he is just a sorry little troll after all, riling up the murky TESOL waters.
At any rate, I am glad I do not work with a person like Austin or have to deal with him on a personal basis.I used to think he was just kind of amusing.Now I know he is despicable,whether he is just a troll or even worse,if everything he posts is things he actually does. |
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Mosley
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2003 6:07 pm Post subject: |
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Austin: Yeah, I only feel "impowered"(sic) when I "bully" people on the internet. LOL. You must be more of a suck than even I thought if that's all it takes to get you ''boo-hooing". SCSA:"Boo-hoo... people are picking on me mommy! Why? All I did was say I'm better than everybody else, it's OK to kiss the boss's @$$ endlessly and I have no qualms about backstabbing co-workers. Boo-hoo , mommy! It's not fair."
*personal threat deleted - calm yourself - Lemon* |
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