Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Homer]

I think the point is simple here. Tiger discussed some positive experiences he had here and it took less time then Barry Bonds downing a steroid cocktail before some posters bashed the OP for being ridiculous.

Then, a another poster made the daring point that saying something positive about Korea for a change would be refreshing and he got clubbed as well.

This board, while polarized, has a more vocal whiners and bashers gallery then a content people's gallery. It does give off a rather biased view of Korea to others who come here.

Complaining is indeed quite valuable. However whining and bashing is not complaining and has no useful value.

For a complaint to be valid it should be based on some thought and be presented in a reasonable manner. It should also have proper scope and range and not fall into the all too common paint them all the same color complaint that is sadly the norm here most of the time.

I think that when you read some of the criticism here it makes you wonder.
It makes you wonder why some people bother to travel to Korea. What did they expect before leaving Home?
Some have great experiences in Korea. Unfortunately, these people seem stay quiet, perhaps because they don't feel the need to vent or talk about it. Or, sometimes they post something and it often gets trashed.
Some of the criticism on here is pointless, immature, racist and simplistic. These complaints sometimes are pampered whining.
The bad thing about it is that genuine, well though of criticism with some factual base gets completely discredited and/or drowned out by these baseless shots of spleen venting.
Korea is not perfect, far from it, it has its share of problems like all countries. Its a culture shock for most westerners to come here. Koreans do things differently. They have their very own distinct culture and history that is neither better nor worse than western history and culture. The illusion that western culture is invariablby the best leads some to lash out when they find out that Korea does no conform to this illusory standard. In reality, neither do western nations.

Some people are just not made for travelling either in Korea or anywhere else. Anybody wanting to come here should ask themselves some serious questions and pay close attention to the awnsers. If you come here only for the money and with a bad attitude, well chances are you'll end up having a horrible time or a very limited experience.
While in korea you are a guest. They (koreans) have little or no obligation to adapt to your needs. Your boss has to respect the work agreement and treat you well but the remaining 49,9 million koreans owe you nothing. It is your job to adapt to their culture. This does not mean abandoning your values or « selling out ». It means being flexible and open minded. If you come here to fill your pockets and have no interest in the local culture then why oh why would Koreans bother to make an effort for you? In the reversed situation would you? I think not. It always comes down to the simple rule of what you put in your experience. Its normal to have a period of adjustment when you first come here. Thats called cutlure shock. Its even normal to some point to start idealizing one��s home country. Thats the grass is always greener syndrome.

I think if you come to Korea unwilling to compromise then forget about it. It will sink faster than the Titanic. But then again that will be true of most undertakings in your life. Life is about compromise and life in Korea is no different. People have a right to complain, but it works so much better when its actual constructive criticism that seeks better solutions. Unfortunately, thats seldom the case.

I do value constructive and thoughout complaints or questions. They help everyone better understand things here. Also, sharing some positive experiences is a good way to provide a balanced outlook.

It is not a question of if you don't like it here go home. Rather it is a question of should you have come at all.....

[The Lemon]

[JongnoGuru]

This afternoon I saw the most beautiful rainbow of my life. I'm serious, it was so intense and gorgeous that a friend in the neighbourhood called to tell us to go outside and look at it. Everybody stopped working went outside. Wow! Everyone said that.

So then I called another friend who lives nearby, and he was already on his roof with his wife watching it. We all wished we lived closer so we could break open a bottle and just sit back and stare at that incredible rainbow together. But nobody wanted to move in case it disappeared, so we all stayed in our own offices and homes.

I went to up on my roof with my camera and took a bunch of pics of the rainbow, but they didn't come out very good. After it disappeared, I brewed a pot of coffee from beans that a coffee-roaster friend gave me. Man, dat was sum goooood java! Everyone thought so.

I think... no, I'm sure I'll remember today years and years and years after Tiger Buddy forgets who he met on the subway. I love Korea.

[UnJef]

[Blind Willie]

[Ya-ta Boy]

I think Tiger Beer did a service to the board by posting his two positive experiences. Those kinds of experiences are amazingly frequent in Korea. Those encounters are a major joy about living in Korea.

It's too bad the negative people try to drag others down, but that is their role in life. Rachel Dratch on SNL does a character making fun of them. It's too bad those people don't see themselves as the blotch on humanity that they are, but they don't.

[Lunar Groove Gardener]

I have had some very negative experiences with a small segment of the individuals that I work with here in America. You know violence and the like. They are from a war torn culture. I really knew that I had to give the overwhelming number of good kids more play than the others. I still quit yesterday. If I couldn't change it, I couldn't afford to lose sleep over it. For sanity and safety. Now they have a cop for a "teacher". I have a phone interview tonight to return to Korea. It sounds like a really cool job. I was heartened by Tiger Beer's post, as those positive things do happen, and it served me well to be reminded to look that way. I have been reminding myself that the same discipline is indeed needed over here, where all is not roses. One can at the very least attempt to become more open to the good half of the human Yin Yang Yo Yo. I love to hear the complaints, it is fair balance and necessary vent. Look what happens to a "positive" thread though....it becomes a discourse on the viability of itself. That is a sociological reality. I may have anticipated a list of positive experiences from people, but still this is a worthy chat, 'ey?
Ahhhh a tender reed wafting in the acrid industrial wind of Seoul.

[buymybook]

[skinsk05]

OK, I agree at least one person has to go home! Ah, but without the whiners and complainers, who would we reveal our wisdom and insights to? Who would we be superior to? How would we learn to be more compassionate, less judgemental. Let's embrace, accept and learn from the narrow-minded, the bigots, the people who don't write as well. OK, everyone can stay, but I am by no means telling you what to do. You can go to. . . .