Korean Job Discussion Forums

[IncognitoHFX]

So, my students found out I smoke. After six months of hiding it, they finally caught me. I changed my smoking patterns recently because I saw foreigners from other hagwons smoking on the stairwell in my building, so I decided it was okay to smoke there... which means I can take smoke breaks during classroom intermissions instead of just smoking before and after work. This is great for my stress; I've mentionned this numerous times before, the kids in my hagwon are pretty awfully behaved.

Today, I went out for a smoke before class started and I kind of forgot that there was a large group of kids in the school early for an extra class. Some followed me without my knowledge, but they didn't find where I was hiding.

Anyway, when I came back I tried to wash my hands like usual to hide any traces, but before I could get to the sink I got swarmed by about ten kids (normally happens) and of course they could smell it on my hands.

"Seongsangnim dambae joeah! Teachaaa, you like smoke? Smoking teacha! Teacha likes dambae!"

Then pretty much every student who is at the hagwon now found out.

So now I'm worried. In Canada, if I was in Junior High School or High School and we found out a teacher smoked--well, their reputation was out the window and they'd probably be reprimanded by the school board (it happened once).

I know Korea is a little more lax with regards to smoking, but I'm still wondering--am I in big trouble? Will the parents be extremely pissed at me for being a smoker and a teacher?

I thought smoking wasn't that big a deal but the kids obviously made a big deal out of it.

What should my course of action be? I really like/need my smoke breaks.

[spliff]

[IncognitoHFX]

[MantisBot]

I wouldn't worry about it at all. Kids in my school gave another teacher a hard time about smoking but nothing ever happened to him. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if your boss smoked:p

[Yu_Bum_suk]

You're a guy, right? Why are you even wasting time worrying about it? I can frequently be found on the back steps of my school before lessons smoking it up with the PE teacher as our students trudge past us into school. At my first job - a hagwon - we often didn't even bother to go outside; we'd just go over to the window and light up in front of all the kids. And no, the parents won't care if male teachers smoke at a secular academy - if they say they do, it's because they don't like you and are making up excuses to dislike you.

[IncognitoHFX]

[spliff]

[jvalmer]

[IncognitoHFX]

[Atavistic]

[IncognitoHFX]

[Roving_gypsy_gurl]

I'd assume you have no problem unless you find out otherwise. It's new information about teacher right now, so let them get it out of their systems and treat it like no big deal.

I'm a smoking female (I teach adults though) and my rule of thumb is don't smoke in front of them during school hours. I go onto the roof and smoke there. When they take me out in the evenings I light up because it's my time. If anyone asks, and that's rare, I just say that it's more common for women to smoke in England.

It's never been a problem, and hopefully it won't be for you either. Just don't go denying it or acting ashamed, because that will keep them fascinated.

[Bryan]

[IncognitoHFX]

[FUBAR]

Easy solution.

Students: Teacher you smoke...
You: So.....

Pay no mind. Students only hassle people that let themselves be hassled.