Korean Job Discussion Forums

[TheBulimicFatGuy]

Interviews with a doctor, a computer technician and an ESL teacher.

Interview 1: A doctor

Interviewer: Can you tell me if there is anything you don't like about being a doctor?
Doctor: Well, one thing is the fact that my friends and relatives are always asking for my medical advice. On one hand I'm honored that they respect my advice but on the other hand it would be good to not have to "work" in my free time. It would be nice to be appreciated as simply a friend or relative.
Interviewer: What would you suggest to people who do bother you for medical advice in your free time?
Doctor: Let doctors have a break, too. If you need medical advice, go to a hospital or medical clinic.
Interviewer: Good advice. Thanks for your time.

Interview 2: A computer technician

Interviewer: Can you tell me if there is anything you don't like about being a computer technician?
Technician: Mostly it's good but sometimes I wish people wouldn't bother me with their computer problems after hours. I don't mind so much if it's a friend or family asking but the people that just find out what my job is then ask for my help really irritate me.
Interviewer: Don't they offer to pay for your services?
Technician: A few do but most are just looking for a handout. It's gotten so bad that sometimes I just lie and say I'm a waiter or something to people that don't know me.
Interviewer: What would you suggest to people who seek your technical expertise for free?
Technician: For starters, if you've got a computer problem, don't be a cheapskate. Go to a repair shop or call a service technician. When I'm off the clock, the last thing I want to think about is someone else's computer problem.
Interviewer: Well said. Thanks for your time.

Interview 3: An ESL teacher

Interviewer: Can you tell me if there is anything you don't like about being an ESL teacher?
Teacher: Hmm, one thing is that working in a country like Korea means you stand out.
Interviewer: Could you explain why that is a bad thing?
Teacher: Sure. In a land full of Asians, it's easy to spot the non-Asians. Koreans assume that any non-Asian, particularly Caucasians, are native English speakers. This means that I get barraged with people asking to get to know me because they want to practice their English or get help with their English assignments or business correspondence.
Interviewer: Do you mean that people you know are asking for your help?
Teacher: Actually, usually it's people I don't know. And it can happen anytime I'm in public. I've been interrupted while minding my own business shopping, browsing through books in a bookstore or even eating a meal in a restaurant.
Interviewer: That does seem a bit rude but maybe they are trying to find a way to embrace multi-culturalism by befriending you?
Teacher: If only that were true. I don't know what the situation is like in other Asian countries, but the vast majority of Koreans have no interest in foreigners other than in how a foreigner can be used to their advantage.
Interviewer: Why do you think that?
Teacher: In my case, I have studied Korean and speak it reasonably well. So, when a Korean starts talking to me, I only use Korean to answer them. Most of them rapidly stop trying to talk with me and go seek someone that will use English with them. It seems to me that a Korean hoping to become a multi-cultural bridge would be delighted to start a relationship with a foreigner that has taken the time to learn their language.
Interviewer: Good point. Do the people that approach you offer to pay for your services or exchange language lessons?
Teacher: Even though that's usually illegal, some do but most don't. Koreans tend to see foreigners as communal property so they generally don't see anything wrong with soliciting help for free with English anytime they see a foreigner.
Interviewer: All right. One last question, if you don't mind. What would you suggest to people who don't know you and seek your expertise for free?
Teacher: The simple answer is "Don't". There are already good ways of finding foreigners who are interested in language exchange. Or, if someone needs editing done, find a company that provides that service and pay for it. Of course, if someone approaches me or any other non-Asian because they genuinely want to befriend us, then we are usually happy to make their aquaintance. Just don't approach us to ask for English practice or help on our personal time.
Interviewer: Okay, good suggestion and thanks for your time!

Suggested links:

Language exchange

http://korea.banoffeepie.com/mal.php
http://www.mylanguageexchange.com/Search.asp
http://www.lifeinkorea.com/Boards/lx.cfm
http://www.xlingo.com/help/advanced_search_form.html
http://www.eslteachersboard.com/cgi-bin/exchange/index.pl
http://www.ccxccx.com/english/korean/exchange.php?&filtercustom[1]=English&filtercustom[2]=korean

Professional editing services

http://www.oleng.com.au/kr.html
http://www.exceptionalenglish.com/index_korean.php?PHPSESSID=4e71e7c64db3ec7098d7dc5a49556510
http://www.editage.com/kr/

**************************************************************
Author's note: The reference links are real but the above report was not of an actual interview. The intent of this article is for foreigners in Korea to print it out and provide it as a hand-out to Koreans that approach foreigners looking for English assistance. It is hoped that the recipients will acquire an understanding of the error of seeking pro bono work from any professional whether they are a doctor, computer technician, ESL teacher or whatever.

Feel free to contribute any other useful websites.

[VanIslander]

gawd i thought your post was gonna be a joke, it had the form of a joke

after reading it all i see it's not even trying to be a joke

this thread: what a joke! pedantic and pointless on a teachers' forum

you joined dave's last week to post this?

[Kimchieluver]

What he said ^

[Return Jones]

He can be pedantic.....he can be pedantic......

[TheBulimicFatGuy]

[just another day]

what the hell i thought it was a joke...

that was so sullung-hae