Korean Job Discussion Forums

[stevieg4ever]

...being said about them or their country?

I have often wondered this as, at times, conversation with Koreans (ie the few that possess any English ability) takes place on a very superficial level because no one can really say what they really feel and think. Its liked warped political correctness in my eyes.

Koreans will listen all day when you have something nice to say about them or their beloved homeland but otherwise constructive conversation is a real chore.

I accept there is a lot to be proud about in this country which is fair enough but some of the looks of disdain and contempt I have received for saying relatively harmless things boarders on the absurd.

And I know that not all Koreans are like this and I am also aware that this happens in other countries, but the extent and frequency is confounding nonetheless. And this really isn't intended to be a Korea bashing thread either.

[Captain Corea]

I've met many Koreans that are far more critical of Korea than those on this board.

Do you speak Korean? Do you hang with Korean adults in casual circumstances where they might feel free to complain about taxes, the government, polution, etc...?

[PeteJB]

Every Korean I know insists there are lots of foreigners in Korea. Haha. What a joke. Although on the whole, most of the people I hang about with don't argue the point with me when discussing Koreas negative points. I usually make my case well.

[DRAMA OVERKILL]

[ardis]

Seriously, it confuses me when people post topics like this. How often does the OP talk with Koreans? Is he on a close, personal level with them? *ALL* of my co-workers bad mouth Korea at times and so do my students. I've heard them go off about 2MB, the stupid canal project, the workload of the students being too much, the ugly architecture (one of the first things my co-teachers told me was, "Korea is not beautiful. It is dirty in Seoul. Sorry"), and the fact that plastic surgery is too popular.

One of the reasons why people probably get defensive is because of the tone in which the statements are made. Nobody wants to hear, "YOU PEOPLE" in regards to dissing their nation. I am not oozing American pride, but when I hear someone go, "You Americans just love your big SUVs and your giant everything, don't you?" it tends to said in a really, really rude way. It's one thing to politely point out differences ("There aren't very many trash cans in Seoul, are there?") and it's another to just rant ("Your city and your people are so dirty and this is why you are still a developing nation").

[Captain Corea]

[Scotticus]

The OP seems to be under the impression that people in any other country would be tickled pink to have some random foreign dude come up to them and start complaining about stuff.

If I had some British or Chinese (or whatever) guy come up to me in America and start randomly bitching about the country, I'd probably roll my eyes and walk away. Who does that? Who's like, "hey, brah, <insert country of residence name here> totally fucking sucks. I hate how all the girls are <insert insult here> and the old people always <insert gross characteristic here> and the men are always <insert contemptible vice here>."?

I honestly don't even think it has much to do with patriotism... I think it has to do with the common human trait of not wanting to listen to some whiney douche prattle on about whatever complaint he happens to be hung up on that day.

[VanIslander]

Korean parents treat young kids like kings and "saving face" leads to thin skin

therefore

big, fragile egos abound

[aarontendo]

My GF is critical as hell of her country sometimes, she's never even been abroad.

It's been my experience that people who've left their countries get a bit more clarity and vision about theirs. True for whitey and for Koreans.

[stevieg4ever]

한국말을 조금 할 줄 알아요. It does help. I know Korean people can be quite critical but they are exceptions. By in large its difficult to know where to tread without offending Korean sensibilities. I mean regarding everything from fruit and vegetable produce to, for example, the recent cosmetic advertisment campaign.

[Captain Corea]

[Css]

I find koreans are the same as most people...if you talk about an issue in a civil manner and can make yourself understood, they wont take offence and will happily discuss things in a civil and mature matter..

If you start mouthing off about how crappy korea is, they will go on the defensive...just like everyone else...

and i really hate doing this...but my experiences with americans in this context has been way worse than with koreans...

Most of my friends are openly critical about the things they dont like in korea..but my friends are comfortable with me and we can communicate well...so maybe theyre more open?

If you cant comumunicate, you cant expect to have a real, open conversation..

[Underwaterbob]

[stevieg4ever]

Get off of your high horse for a second will you. I don't go out of my way to criticise anyone or any country I just mean during the course of common conversation not randomly approaching any Korean that might happen to be standing around and saying something like 'Hey listen here Mr. random Korean I don't know....'.

I talk openly with the other native teachers about perceived problems and difficulties in their own countries. The difference is that we do so in a constructive and mature manner without being offended. In London, where people come from all over, I would talk frankly about the differences and similarities between the UK and their native land, what they liked and what they didn't like etc.

[Captain Corea]