Korean Job Discussion Forums

rapier · Joined: 16 Feb 2003

Anyone agree? I mean i try my best to be a happy, warm and no problems person. But everyday, koreans are putting the damper on me.
It starts from the moment you walk into the office. The long faces, the receptionist who looks positively morbid, the sharp faced beaky supervisor, the boss and his unnaproachable air of god- like superiority. If there isn't some problem or silly politics happening, then they create some. Its a sad and stressful life. They all feel the need to keep up appearances- be it the best worker, or themost switched-on don't mess with me look.
but it extends to your average person on the street, or the shopkeepers, bus drivers, day to day people.
And then theres the poor oppressed waygook minority, generally wound up over some irritation or other. its all so oppressive!
I think a lot of people are missing the point...We only have one short life. Stop being stressed and sad! Look on the bright side! Lets all do our best for the kids and eachother, and enjoy the little things in life with this short time we have on earth!
Thank God for the happy kids!

lush72 · Joined: 18 Aug 2003 Location: I am Penalty Kick!

I have always maintained that in every Korean run company at least 30% of the staff will devote a significant part of their day to "Problem Creation".

Crying or Very sad

rapier · Joined: 16 Feb 2003

Perhaps It was wrong of me to limit my observation/ statement purely to Koreans, as the other waygooks seem pretty problem- preoccupied and angry a lot of the time too..
Don't want to sound arrogant, but sometimes i have these moments of clarity when it suddenly seems that a lot of people are just "sleepwalking " through life, doing little more than existing, or fighting their way through everything. I mean, lighten up...where is the cheerful banter, the humor, the camaraderie? Everyones too afraid of looking silly...

Seoultrader · Joined: 18 Jun 2003 Location: Ali's Insurgent Inn, Fallujah

Try focusing more on the receptionist's boobies (if any) or legs to "get off" on the right foot every morning. Laughing

Alternatively, imagine the the frown is really a pout, and she's really thinking, "Rapier 'only' made love to me twice this morning *pout*" Rolling Eyes

weatherman · Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Location: Korea

Don't wait for the good vibes the good ki-bun to come to you, I find with office politics in Korea, as a foreigner you have to create the good ki-bun yourself. Make your day fun, but do it right, so you don't come off as some wierd wae-gook. And at the trader said, it is a lot of fun to chat up the receptions, boobs, or no boobs, receptions are plain fun.

desultude · Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2003 11:20 pm Post subject:

Whenever I read threads like this, I feel like I am in another country. I am becoming convinced that it is regional. I find people here in Daegu, in general, friendly and helpful, with exceptions, of course. Maybe it is just Seoul- just too many people too close together, pollution, etc..

posco's trumpet · Joined: 20 Apr 2003 Location: Beneath the Underdog

TECO · Joined: 20 Jan 2003

justaskdan · Joined: 28 Apr 2003 Location: Me in Pohang - Oct 20th

My good Korean friends and my coworkers and my boss are some of the happiest laid back people I know. Most of the two thousand taxi drivers I have met have been polite, nice and friendly as well. Maybe you should move to Pohang.

Zyzyfer · Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2003 12:57 am Post subject:

It's a Seoul thang, rapier.

Mashimaro · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Location: location, location

Koreans miserable? Lets break it down:

Korean students: made to go to school to learn useless facts all day
MISERABLE

Korean women: treated as second class citizens, very limited job opportunities, expected to play the good wife while hubby drinks & screws his nights away with hostesses etc.
MISERABLE

Ajummas:
MISERABLE (look at them! they just are!)

Foreign teachers:
teaching little brats for 30 hours a week and being kept in the dark from any and all decisions until the last minute. Sometimes racking up 1000s of posts on on forums like this.
MISERABLE (but at least we can leave when we want!)

*tongue removed from cheek*

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

posco's trumpet · Joined: 20 Apr 2003 Location: Beneath the Underdog

whatthefunk · Joined: 21 Apr 2003 Location: Dont have a clue

Maybe it's because nobody gives two sh*ts about anyone outside themselves and their little brat kids.
'Oh, hey whatthefunk! Im going to force you to stay in this sh#tcycle stand for another week! And, im not going to tell you this until I absolutly have to! You have plans after Korea? Well, you will just have to cancel them all and bend over for me one more time! Have a nice day!'
If I got treated like this, I might be in a really bad mode!

Gord · Joined: 25 Feb 2003

One of the most common questions I get that I did not expect before I came to Korea:

"Why are you always so happy?"

To which I always give the same, humble reply.

"I am Gord."