|
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 |
sbp59
Joined: 01 Apr 2009
Location: Somewhere in SK
|
 Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 10:51 pm Post subject: |
 |
|
| Modernist wrote: |
Hmm, I'm an American and I like my country. True story. I think in most ways it is demonstrably superior to here.
But still, that doesn't translate into a) being ignorant of the larger world; or b) thinking my country is better in areas where it demonstrably fails [such as math education, public health, or income inequality]; OR c) refusing to give Korea, or anywhere, credit where it is due. Sorry, Steelrails. Sorry, soonmin.
The first time I got on a KTX I knew it was 100% better than any train in America. I've ridden a lot of Amtrak, and it's not so bad as it's imagined--often quite good in fact, but in no way does it match Korean service, because the Koreans have made the investments to get something world-class and keep it there, and kept their projects out of partisan politics. They deserve great admiration for this and from this American, at least, they get it. We could learn a lot from them in terms of passenger rail and infrastructure in general.
There are quite a lot of others, actually. Incheon is the best airport I've ever seen, better than any in America.
Korean students, even in middle school, are often kind and sweet in a way rarely seen in the West. I wish ours were a bit more innocent and somewhat less 'hardened.'
I'm no basher. I see things with an accurate eye, or I strive to. I have no interest in puffing up a place nor in tearing it apart without reason. I have no investment here, no links, no deference. I don't care enough about it to hate it.
I'm just a contractor. The stupidest thing any newbie here does is ever to forget that. |
Good post. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
pegasus64128
Joined: 20 Aug 2011
|
| Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 1:51 am Post subject: |
|
|
| sbp59 wrote: |
| Modernist wrote: |
Hmm, I'm an American and I like my country. True story. I think in most ways it is demonstrably superior to here.
But still, that doesn't translate into a) being ignorant of the larger world; or b) thinking my country is better in areas where it demonstrably fails [such as math education, public health, or income inequality]; OR c) refusing to give Korea, or anywhere, credit where it is due. Sorry, Steelrails. Sorry, soonmin.
The first time I got on a KTX I knew it was 100% better than any train in America. I've ridden a lot of Amtrak, and it's not so bad as it's imagined--often quite good in fact, but in no way does it match Korean service, because the Koreans have made the investments to get something world-class and keep it there, and kept their projects out of partisan politics. They deserve great admiration for this and from this American, at least, they get it. We could learn a lot from them in terms of passenger rail and infrastructure in general.
There are quite a lot of others, actually. Incheon is the best airport I've ever seen, better than any in America.
Korean students, even in middle school, are often kind and sweet in a way rarely seen in the West. I wish ours were a bit more innocent and somewhat less 'hardened.'
I'm no basher. I see things with an accurate eye, or I strive to. I have no interest in puffing up a place nor in tearing it apart without reason. I have no investment here, no links, no deference. I don't care enough about it to hate it.
I'm just a contractor. The stupidest thing any newbie here does is ever to forget that. |
Good post. |
yep, I agree 100% with this. It helps to be able to put things in perspective. If you were living in San Fran or somewhere on a 6 figure salary and have always known good fortune, Korea may suck for you but it depends on how closely you follow steelrails' list too. A true professional would know what he/she was signing up for. A trust-fund brat wouldn't necessarily. If on the contrary, you had a difficult time of it prior to arriving (again, subject to list) then you might appreciate things more here. I had to learn to appreciate Korea myself. It's far from perfect like anywhere else, but at no point did I ever expect it to be a cake walk, or look down on Korean society. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
sojusucks
Joined: 31 May 2008
|
| Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 3:29 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Are university educated people this naive? I said some things as a newb but nothing quite this bad. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Weigookin74
Joined: 26 Oct 2009
|
| Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 3:58 pm Post subject: |
|
|
"Really? Kimchi will cure AIDS?"
Ah, niave newbies.... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Steelrails
Joined: 12 Mar 2009
Location: Earth, Solar System
|
| Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 5:55 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| sojusucks wrote: |
| Are university educated people this naive? I said some things as a newb but nothing quite this bad. |
Must be fails of critical thinking, perhaps the fault of their education system. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
rchristo10
Joined: 14 Jul 2009
|
| Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 5:59 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Most of the ones I've met say odd things like, "I'll only be here for a year." |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
hiamnotcool
Joined: 06 Feb 2012
|
| Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 7:34 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| pegasus64128 wrote: |
To get back on topic:
I believe Americans (US) are the most noob-like in general. It's just my opinion and there will be people who disagree but that's how I feel.
|
This is the part where I am supposed to sound like the Newb from the USA and go into the following....
"I'm sorry about those other Americans, but keep in mind the USA is a big, diverse country, and not everyone is like them. I am actually exceptional in that I am from the USA and I recgonize that we can learn a lot from Canada about XXXX and S Korea about XXXX and Country A about XXXX, etc etc etc."
(note: America can refer to the continent, so I usually say USA, not America)
Then the reply
"Wow, yeah you aren't like most other Americans I meet. You really seem to grasp how we feel about you. Actually there are some things I like about America, like XXXX, but I still get frustrated about XXXX"
Then the American
"I know, I know, but we are changing, things are changing, I hope one day we can fix all of our problems, and really, sincerely...from the bottom of my heart....I am sorry for being an American."
This can go on for hours, the anti-american and the self loathing- american bask in their self righteous understanding of each other's ignorance.
As an American, I run into this all the time, it is one of the quintessential Newbi in Korea conversations.
After being here for about 3 years, I apologize to anyone in our immediate vicinity that may get hit with some verbal shrapnel, but I typically just go into a rant about igloos and polar bears and hope the open-minded Canadian will go find someone else to carry out this obligatory ritual with him/her (even if she's hot!). |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
pegasus64128
Joined: 20 Aug 2011
|
| Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 9:31 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| hiamnotcool wrote: |
| pegasus64128 wrote: |
To get back on topic:
I believe Americans (US) are the most noob-like in general. It's just my opinion and there will be people who disagree but that's how I feel.
|
This is the part where I am supposed to sound like the Newb from the USA and go into the following....
"I'm sorry about those other Americans, but keep in mind the USA is a big, diverse country, and not everyone is like them. I am actually exceptional in that I am from the USA and I recgonize that we can learn a lot from Canada about XXXX and S Korea about XXXX and Country A about XXXX, etc etc etc."
(note: America can refer to the continent, so I usually say USA, not America)
Then the reply
"Wow, yeah you aren't like most other Americans I meet. You really seem to grasp how we feel about you. Actually there are some things I like about America, like XXXX, but I still get frustrated about XXXX"
Then the American
"I know, I know, but we are changing, things are changing, I hope one day we can fix all of our problems, and really, sincerely...from the bottom of my heart....I am sorry for being an American."
This can go on for hours, the anti-american and the self loathing- american bask in their self righteous understanding of each other's ignorance.
As an American, I run into this all the time, it is one of the quintessential Newbi in Korea conversations.
After being here for about 3 years, I apologize to anyone in our immediate vicinity that may get hit with some verbal shrapnel, but I typically just go into a rant about igloos and polar bears and hope the open-minded Canadian will go find someone else to carry out this obligatory ritual with him/her (even if she's hot!). |
You mentioned you've been here about 3 years, and your post seems to indicate someone whose at least reasonably open-minded and non-newb-like so what's your point?
Do you want a pat on the back for not being a newb? Ok then, a *sincere pat on the back* from me for what it's worth or indeed not worth.
Also, I agree that it's newbie sounding to apologize on behalf of your country (as they delude themselves into thinking they matter to their country) , especially if you are a newb, as it's usually insincere imo.
Your response is the best kind and is similar to the kind of one my American buddy would give. |
|
| Back to top |
| |
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
