Korean Job Discussion Forums

[aarontendo]

At lunch today, I was asked by a coteacher to sit at a table with all females. I said in a lighthearted way "Ah we're at the girls table today, no boys allowed"

VP (who speaks barely any English) proceeds to complain to him for 20 minutes. I know she was complaning about the whole time. Fun times, having her complain in front of 30 or so other teachers about the rude waygook. Apparently I dealt her and other a deadly insult by saying girls and boys instead of men and women. She told him to tell me to "be careful what I say".

Probably didn't help that near the end I said "*beep* this" and left.

[pkang0202]

Cultural misunderstanding on both your parts. The VP should've understood that you didn't mean any harm in what you said.

A lot of times you have a "grown-up" table and a kiddie table. I know is big gatherings like Thanksgiving dinner, all the adults will sit at a table and all the children will sit at a separate table.

I guess the VP thought you were saying they were sitting at the "kiddie" table when you said girls.

I don't see how this couldn't have been solved in less than 5 minutes. I would've simply said, "Ah...I'm sorry. When I said girl's, I was trying to say "agashi". Woman would've implied "ajuma"."

Not only do you get out of that situation, you also make the female teachers feel good because you wanted to describe them as agashi's (unmarried young woman).

A little humor and charm goes a long way.

[Fishead soup]

Using vulgar language is not a good idea.

[nicholas_chiasson]

I told one of my students jjot-ka today, and he told one of the teachers. But they all admire me for trying to learn Korean.

[Ilsanman]

What a bunch of idiots.

What you need to say is 'You can't speak English properly. Don't pretend otherwise.'

When teaching kids, I don't mind being called or calling myself a boy. I really mean 'male'.

[aarontendo]

Yeah in all honesty Japan is looking tempting after I finish my M.Ed. I know grass is always greener and such, but be nice to change things up and put up with different piles of bull lol.

[Insidejohnmalkovich]

You could have asked her: I could call you a ditch pig. Would that be better?

[yingwenlaoshi]

You should've said, "Aw, girl. You know what I'm talkin' about."

[aarontendo]

Eh went down after the school day was ended and spoke to her. We chalked it up to language differences and said no problem. She said she likes me so no worries I guess heh.

[Privateer]

Sounds like she has a chip on her shoulder and is looking for things to get offended about.

[Pyongshin Sangja]

[bacasper]

She heard you say "girl stable" and thought you were calling them all a bunch of hookers.

[Beej]

That has happened to me before. If they dont understand the English language they should keep their pie holes shut.

I once referred to a "crazy situation" Was told by administration that " the word crazy is very bad in Korea. Dont say it again." I set them straight right quick. I told them i didnt speak or teach Konglish, that crazy was acceptable in English and that if they were really concerned about this type of thing they shouldnt let the kids run around all day screaming "F- You"

[Pyongshin Sangja]

Yeah!

[yingwenlaoshi]

It doesn't matter. I had my own miscommunication incident yesterday with one of the Korean teachers in this after-school program. They just believe and spurt out what's in their heads because they can't speak English and someone is freaking out and/or wanting to show some superiority where the getting is good.