Korean Job Discussion Forums

[fortysixyou]

Just wondering about your relationship with your Korean co-workers. Do you chat? Have a relationship? Say hello?


I'm wondering what the norm is, I'm pretty much invisible in the office. I'm the only foreigner at the school, possibly on the whole block. No hellos, no relationships, and certainly no chat. Basically, I'm only spoken to when someone needs something from me.

Not really lamenting, just wondering.

[esetters21]

I have a pretty friendly staff, so yes we interact on a daily basis.

[nomad-ish]

i say hello, smile, nod to all the teachers and they do the same. nothing beyond that really. sometimes teachers will shove a random melon-on-a-fork into my hand or try to load me up on those health drink packets.

[BreakfastInBed]

[crazy tigger]

I'm the only foreign teacher at my hogwan and noone really talks to me apart from the receptionist who doesn't really speak English!

[isthisreally]

Yeah I get along pretty well with my Korean coworkers, though it's only a work relationship. Meaning we talk, joke, talk about the students, etc. But we don't hang out outside of work.

[bgreenster]

I have incredible Korean co-workers, and we're pretty friendly in the office. It took a while for them to be comfortable really to talk with me, but I have been at this job a little over a year now, and we have a pretty fun time chatting on breaks, etc.

Generally, though, we are "work friends"- talking and getting along at work, but it is extremely rare for us to do anything outside of the office. The times we have gone out together have been nice, but not particularly bond-forming.

That being said, one of my coworkers (who is about the same age as me, which I know probably makes things a little easier) is now one of my best friends over here. We hang out most weekends, and she stays over at my place often. I think a big part of these dynamics are a combination of age, the strictness of their families (since my coworkers are all female, and living at home) and simply how much they feel like being around foreigners. Honestly, after having to teach English for 8 hours, I can see why they wouldn't want to hang out with English speakers after work. I don't think I would, if I were in that position.

Personally, I'm simply grateful that they are so nice to me. Let's face it: I'm getting paid double what they are to do somewhat less work, and am given an apartment and get to live abroad and travel. The fact that they aren't bitter as hell is remarkable.

[Ya-ta Boy]

I did two stints in two high schools. At one, no one talked to me, and from what I could see, few talked to each other either. It was a private high school and most were unhappy to be working there (I heard in one of the few conversations I did have). It was pretty bleak.

At the other school, a very tiny high school, it was a lot of fun. Everyone was friendly and I was included in everything. They all lived an hour away, so the after school socializing was limited, but what there was of it was good.

At my current job, there is an historically bad relationship between the Korean staff and the foreign staff. The administration just changed and that seems to have improved things a little. Too soon to tell if it is a permanent thing, though.

[mistermasan]

they don't talk to me. if we pass in the narrow hallway i might get an embarassed smile an a small nod out of them.

somedays i am convinced i repulse them, on others i am convinced they are shy. about half of them can answer basic questions in english. it is always awkward when i have to ask them a work related question such as "should i teach lesson 3 or 4 in your B2?" and the only reply is "yes" as they scuffle away.

the head teacher, however has wonderful english and is very kind.

[fortysixyou]

[mistermasan]

yes, dismissive to the point that they don't care to even answer the question. dismissive to the point that they just wish me gone.

it wasn't like this in china. we (the foreign teachers and chinese teachers) would talk together.

it wasn't like this in taiwan. we would talk together.

the attitude here is very different. it saddens me to say this but i shall: i stopped eating with the korean teachers. the food was fine. they are nice enough. but... every night as i neared the dining area i could hear them all laughing and enjoying themselves(in korean of course). then i enter. complete stone cold silence. i get my rice bowl, soup etc...complete silence. they all shut up, stare at their food and seemingly hope to god that i don't try to chit chat w/ them. i tried it for a few months, hoping they'd "come around". they didn't. it got to the point i felt that i was intruding just by being there and eating.

finally, i got the drift and stopped going. after about a month the boss asked (via translator) what was up. i told him. he said "OK" and now gives me an extra 100,000 won per month to pay for my own dinner.

sweet. free money.

[crusher_of_heads]

mistermasan you miss out on people asking if you like kimchi and the proper way to use chopstics-you just can't put a price on what you're missing out on.

[timetotravel]

my co teachers are very friendly and the whole school is eager to sit next to me, talk to me, eat with me etc.....

i guess i am lucky for that!!

[Dome Vans]

A few valid points here. Especially from Ya-ta Boy about teachers room politics. One of my middle school (in a small village of 1000 people) is great there are a few teachers that really bring the group together. One being one of my co-teachers, she's ace, talking and talking and talking with the other female teachers. So as a group really really nice, there's always a lot of laughing in the teacher's room and the VP joins in.

Another middle school in a smaller village that the teachers just get on, no real laughing. This is one school that teachers try an get transferred from pretty quick. If the teachers aren't happy or in this case the level of the students is low so it's not good for their confidence especially because most are new teachers. I've been moved up to the English zone and out of the teachers room, which doesn't bother me.

I think when you start at a school, especially as a new teacher in Korea, smile, be polite, don't expect everyone to fall over themselves to be your friend straight away, get your head down, work well and confidently, have a good relationship with the students (that is why you're there), be a competent teacher. THEN word of mouth will go round between teachers and even schools about you. A lot of PS teachers from different schools got out together and talk about their native teachers either positively or negatively. After a few months the others know that you're a good teacher and you'll be in then. Then take sweets/fruit etc in for everyone to share. Bingo. Don't take an early snarl as an affront on you.

[Rae]

I got pretty lucky - my co-teachers are great! They're all English teachers as well and two of them can speak English very well. The other two are just a bit shy but they can comprehend.

At my main school everyone does their morning hellos to each other. We have school events and so I've gotten to know a few of them (even if they can't speak English). I get random food offerings every once in awhile and yesterday someone bought me a small plant when we went flower viewing for a school function.

I'm a newcomer and although things will change later down the road, I can say that I like my office atmosphere. I think initiating the morning greeting will help warm things up between you and the other teachers. Now people greet me with a "Good morning!" instead of the normal annyonghaseyo. I sure hope this type of thing will continue ...