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Fredbob
Joined: 18 Nov 2005
Location: Yongin-Breathing the air-sometimes
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 Posted: Thu Nov 22, 2007 8:19 am Post subject: My awesome Korean Co-Workers gave me a Happy Thanksgiving |
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So, I've been here a while, but, occasionally I still get homesick and I was a little bummed about it being my 2nd Thanksgiving away from home.
The Korean co-teachers, manager, and even the receptionists of my edutainment arena all chipped in today to buy a whole ishtload of fried chicken for Thanksgiving after trying to find Turkey for about an hour, sure they failed to realize that only two of us are American, and there was no mashed potatoes or anything, but it was a really sweet gesture, including a sign saying "Sorry it's not turkey!"
Warm fuzzy, I know
Many Korean teachers and managers are evil, I know, I've dealt with some doozies!
Happy Thanksgiving
On this Thanksgiving I'm really thankful to have them as friends (YES, AMAZING BUT TRUE TROLLS, some of them are actual friends, most of them are at least nice to me.) |
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JeannieAbroad
Joined: 27 Oct 2007
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Thu Nov 22, 2007 8:24 am Post subject: |
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 Aww that's sweet. Nice story.
My co-workers are also great. They showed real sympathy today when they overheard me call my friends and family back home to say Happy Thanksgiving. They didn't realize today was such a special day in the States.
They are so sweet, always coming in and sharing meals and treats (they can't get enough of Dunkin Donuts!) They also drink more coffee than I do, which I thought was impossible as I gulp about 4 cups a day! |
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princess
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Location: soul of Asia
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| Posted: Thu Nov 22, 2007 2:43 pm Post subject: |
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| That's really sweet of them! My Korean coworkers didn't say a thing to me yesterday, but that's OK. One of the other foreign teachers wished me a happy Thanksgiving, and after work, I met one of my Korean friends. She treated me to dinner at an Indian restaurant, and then we had coffee and did some shopping. I treated myself to some nice things. I couldn't have pumpkin pie, but I had pumpkin and veggie curry. Good enough! |
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Fishead soup
Joined: 24 Jun 2007
Location: Korea
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| Posted: Thu Nov 22, 2007 3:00 pm Post subject: |
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| I've seen wild turkeys in cages outside the train stations. This is when you know you are in the boonies. Some Koreans eat smoked turkey. I've had it once for Thanksgiving |
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Yu_Bum_suk
Joined: 25 Dec 2004
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| Posted: Thu Nov 22, 2007 3:10 pm Post subject: |
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| My co-workers and I spent five minutes yesterday debating whether it was Thanksgiving. Finally we just looked it up on the Internet. |
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Young FRANKenstein
Joined: 02 Oct 2006
Location: Castle Frankenstein (that's FRONKensteen)
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| Posted: Thu Nov 22, 2007 3:42 pm Post subject: Re: My awesome Korean Co-Workers gave me a Happy Thanksgivin |
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| Fredbob wrote: |
| So, I've been here a while, but, occasionally I still get homesick and I was a little bummed about it being my 2nd Thanksgiving away from home. |
Wait until you miss 10 Christmases in a row. |
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Bibbitybop
Joined: 22 Feb 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Thu Nov 22, 2007 5:36 pm Post subject: |
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| Last year I bought all the people in my office Christmas presents. They were all astounded and some had never received a xmas present before. The next day I was presented with a very nice present worth more than all of the small gifts I bought put together. Schwing! |
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Bouvguy
Joined: 18 Jun 2007
Location: South Korea
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| Posted: Thu Nov 22, 2007 5:39 pm Post subject: |
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| No one even noticed at my school. I said happy Thanksgiving to my co-teacher. She said it back and just went back to work. I had a spamwich for dinner. :OP |
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sojourner1
Joined: 17 Apr 2007
Location: Where meggi swim and 2 wheeled tractors go sput put chug alugg pug pug
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| Posted: Thu Nov 22, 2007 7:28 pm Post subject: |
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I said Happy Thanksgiving to the American I work with and he didn't care about that and doesn't eat turkey anyhow.
How come I meet so many people who don't care nothing about their home country? I know kiwis, Australians, Canadians, and Americans who all state they will never go home or celebrate a holiday. An American I know wouldn't go home for his grandpas funeral last Summer. My fellow waygooks seem so cold and empty in their boring lives. Confuses me a bit. No offense meant to those of you reading, because I know not all of you are like that.
While I chose to live outside America, I can't let go of my values, beliefs, and what I cherish about American culture. I really did feel I needed a trip to a Thanksgiving dinner around other Americans as a break, but didn't have time. Koreans living in America would also get together and celebrate Chuseok in one of their homes. In fact, many Asian businesses in America do close for Asian holidays or employ their part time American employee. We need to take more breaks as their really are no holidays and no long weekends, except for Lunar New Year and Chuseok if working in a hagwon. Paying my dues, I am. |
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CentralCali
Joined: 17 May 2007
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the_beaver
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Thu Nov 22, 2007 7:54 pm Post subject: |
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| sojourner1 wrote: |
I said Happy Thanksgiving to the American I work with and he didn't care about that and doesn't eat turkey anyhow.
How come I meet so many people who don't care nothing about their home country? I know kiwis, Australians, Canadians, and Americans who all state they will never go home or celebrate a holiday. An American I know wouldn't go home for his grandpas funeral last Summer. My fellow waygooks seem so cold and empty in their boring lives. Confuses me a bit. No offense meant to those of you reading, because I know not all of you are like that.
While I chose to live outside America, I can't let go of my values, beliefs, and what I cherish about American culture. I really did feel I needed a trip to a Thanksgiving dinner around other Americans as a break, but didn't have time. Koreans living in America would also get together and celebrate Chuseok in one of their homes. In fact, many Asian businesses in America do close for Asian holidays or employ their part time American employee. We need to take more breaks as their really are no holidays and no long weekends, except for Lunar New Year and Chuseok if working in a hagwon. Paying my dues, I am. |
I've always (since I was 12 or so, anyway) hated holidays. I like the time off, but the symbolism is generally kind of dumb.
My opinion: If you like turkey then you should eat turkey no matter what day it is. If you like giving presents then you should give presents no matter what day it is. If you like chocolate then go to the fucking store and buy some chocolate. |
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bucheon bum
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Thu Nov 22, 2007 8:03 pm Post subject: |
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| the_beaver wrote: |
| sojourner1 wrote: |
I said Happy Thanksgiving to the American I work with and he didn't care about that and doesn't eat turkey anyhow.
How come I meet so many people who don't care nothing about their home country? I know kiwis, Australians, Canadians, and Americans who all state they will never go home or celebrate a holiday. An American I know wouldn't go home for his grandpas funeral last Summer. My fellow waygooks seem so cold and empty in their boring lives. Confuses me a bit. No offense meant to those of you reading, because I know not all of you are like that.
While I chose to live outside America, I can't let go of my values, beliefs, and what I cherish about American culture. I really did feel I needed a trip to a Thanksgiving dinner around other Americans as a break, but didn't have time. Koreans living in America would also get together and celebrate Chuseok in one of their homes. In fact, many Asian businesses in America do close for Asian holidays or employ their part time American employee. We need to take more breaks as their really are no holidays and no long weekends, except for Lunar New Year and Chuseok if working in a hagwon. Paying my dues, I am. |
I've always (since I was 12 or so, anyway) hated holidays. I like the time off, but the symbolism is generally kind of dumb.
My opinion: If you like turkey then you should eat turkey no matter what day it is. If you like giving presents then you should give presents no matter what day it is. If you like chocolate then go to the *beep* store and buy some chocolate. |
It isn't just eating turkey, it is getting together with friends and family and feasting. Good time to just hang out, and consume food and drink.
That being said, Thanksgiving was really the only holiday I missed while in Korea. Didn't really care about missing xmas or any other holiday. |
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pcs0325
Joined: 21 Sep 2007
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| Posted: Thu Nov 22, 2007 9:26 pm Post subject: |
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| sojourner1 wrote: |
I said Happy Thanksgiving to the American I work with and he didn't care about that and doesn't eat turkey anyhow.
How come I meet so many people who don't care nothing about their home country? I know kiwis, Australians, Canadians, and Americans who all state they will never go home or celebrate a holiday. An American I know wouldn't go home for his grandpas funeral last Summer. My fellow waygooks seem so cold and empty in their boring lives. Confuses me a bit. No offense meant to those of you reading, because I know not all of you are like that.
While I chose to live outside America, I can't let go of my values, beliefs, and what I cherish about American culture. I really did feel I needed a trip to a Thanksgiving dinner around other Americans as a break, but didn't have time. Koreans living in America would also get together and celebrate Chuseok in one of their homes. In fact, many Asian businesses in America do close for Asian holidays or employ their part time American employee. We need to take more breaks as their really are no holidays and no long weekends, except for Lunar New Year and Chuseok if working in a hagwon. Paying my dues, I am. |
I once had a Japanese-speaking American warn me about Japanese who were studying abroad; I love hanging out with international students and we were at a coffee-hour for international students. He warned me that the Japanese over here (America) weren't like typical Japanese: They were over here because they didn't fit in with their society. This is stereotyping for sure, but it took me a while to learn that he was right for the most part.
Now, not every person who chooses to teach in Korea is trying to get away or doesn't care about their home country, but not caring about one's home country so much (traditions, culture, etc.) can sure make it easier to live in a foreign country so you'll probably see an over-representation of these types. |
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Young FRANKenstein
Joined: 02 Oct 2006
Location: Castle Frankenstein (that's FRONKensteen)
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| Posted: Thu Nov 22, 2007 9:45 pm Post subject: |
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| sojourner1 wrote: |
| How come I meet so many people who don't care nothing about their home country? I know kiwis, Australians, Canadians, and Americans who all state they will never go home or celebrate a holiday. An American I know wouldn't go home for his grandpas funeral last Summer. My fellow waygooks seem so cold and empty in their boring lives. Confuses me a bit. No offense meant to those of you reading, because I know not all of you are like that. |
Some of us hate the holidays and/or our families. Why go back to that shit? |
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