Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ScottyG]

I rarely venture here, but when I do I immediately feel a ten second wave of depression when I scan the thread topics.

I just wonder what it is that draws people in, and causes such endless rehash of "the issues." Yes, I know there is a constant inflow of newbies who must, of course, discuss their first impressions of kimchee and spitting on the street. But for all you veterans....don't you get bored of it? At the end of the day, don't you ever stop and think to yourself....."hey, I think I will go to sleep tonight without analyzing anything."

What is it that attracts people to message boards in this way? Are teachers in Korea a unique entity who, quite often, are drawn into the snarky trappings of constant sarcasm, wit, and rebuttal....simply because Korea instills this on a daily basis?

In my opinion, the exchange of information and opinions is, at times, unhealthy. In fact, I shouldn't even be writing this.......oh no it's on me again! Get it off!

[venus]

I don't understand people who rarely venture here and don't like the tone and content yet make posts just to say so - kind of strange...

[Atavistic]

Maybe the alcoholic nature of your avatar is what's making you sad.

[Craven Moorehead]

ScottyG, I gotta concur with you. But I'm addicted to this board because of the constant sh-ttalk, racial/nation denigration, and flaming. Jesus, I am an a-hole! But yeah, this board does leave a bad taste sometimes.

[periwinkle]

[Carlyles Ghost]

In one word, OP, 'Boredom.' On the worst days I have some two and a half hours of dead-time. So: what to do?
Today, I went for a walk, jammed for a bit with the boys band on the 5th floor, read the news-paper, checked and re-checked my email and then paced a little bit. I usually do lesson planning at the start of the week and so.....a huge gaping hole opens up in some afternoons. It is this void which Daves fills. When every other avenue of self-amusement, self -betterment, self-relfection and personal/professional develoment has been exhausted, I turn to Daves where I can read about analingus, toilet shaped houses and Larry King being a "stupid old cock-sucker."

[SPINOZA]

[komerican]

There are real differences between people; differences in class, education, race, ethnic,religious, temperment,personality, karma, fate, individual physical attributes, luck, language and culture, sex, experience, political, social, intelligence, psychology, upbringing, etc. It's no wonder,therefore, we will all differ, not only in our opinions but also in our most cherished and sacred beliefs.

We can not agree and we shouldn't. That's why the pop ideology of multiculturalism is a farce on a broad social and cultural level although perhaps on an individual basis it might work at times.

[Carlyles Ghost]

[browneyedgirl]

Periwinkle, such an adorable kid in your picture.

[ScottyG]

hehe. 8 posts and i've barely felt the warm singe of being flamed. don't get me wrong. i like message boards. in fact i actively peruse http://www.rjkoehler.com for a more broad perspective of what's to complain about on the peninsula. the reason I don't come here is because i already know too much about kimchee, korean women, and racial discrimination in hongdae. And evil hakwon bosses are a thing i left behind and never had the pleasure of encountering.

All in all, coming here does not leave a warm fuzzy feeling in your gut a whole helluva lot. It is amusing, and at times informative, but largely it is a bunch of us being over-analytical and not sticking to one topic on the same thread. So....to actually find a post that is worth discussing...one must first browse past "foreigners who eat dog" and "what korean food do you hate most" in all the endless variations. indeed, interesting to a first year teacher in their early twenties...but after a long time on the peninsula (even more than a year) i could hardly be bothered.

In terms of message boards 1) Marmot's Hole - for the elite. 2) Dave's - for the new and intrigued, and/or the old and disgruntled, and everything in between. 3) Englishspectrum - bottom feeders.

[tsgarp]

It's a racist hotbed but since most racists also live in a state of denial, to them this is a normal discussion board.

[jaganath69]

[mindmetoo]

We used to find community in social grooming. That took a lot of time and calories. We developed language as a good alternative. It let us do productive things while still socially grooming with little caloric cost. When we examine what people talk to each other about, most of it is gossip. It's the social grooming of language. "You're good like me because I'm sharing gossip about the bad/silly things other people do. Okay now you tell me why I'm good."

Oh well.

[marlow]