Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mikekim]

I don't mind when my students say it because at least they get the idiom for English tests etc. But when asshat teachers preach this as verbatim law: when in Korea you must act Korean, go frack yourself. Anyways, anyone have a witty comeback other than "FU its not a litteral phrase, its an idiom you dumbass. Do you really teach English for a living?"

[captain kirk]

Ancient Rome conquered the known world. Korea is a small country.

And yes I get this too. My Korean co-teachers use the phrase, 'when in Rome...' as a sort of bottom line finalizing statement which to them means; 'you are a captive of the Korean empire'^^. And, as such, must abide by the ways, culture, manners, acknowledged hierarchies based on status, age, race, occupation. It means follow with blind obedience the dictates of higher-ups. And accept the authority of higher-ups though they are not as qualified, may be younger than you, are Korean and not foreign. It means submit to the way things are. Since Korea is very hierarchical and status-conscious and foreigners are hired hands it means give up thinking you know any better.

Which is funny because Koreans aren't known for having Western critical thinking ability. We have this. There is a lot about Korean English teaching method that is not effective. Koreans can't teach English well and we are hired because they aren't succeeding/can't do it. It could be they are shocked and outraged by impudent, outrageous Westerners and their critical thinking ability which to them is irreverent and subversive. It could be they know that no-one but the higher ups have opinions that matter, carry weight. And so they've long ago learned to shut up. While we Westerners chatter on, free thinking, having opinions, wanting to change things, fix things, find solutions, problem solve. Don't we know where we are? Koreans think in groups and the group leader makes decisions. Everyone else says what the leader wants to hear, if they talk at all.

The first I've heard this phrase used was this year. Is it in vogue?

[daskalos]

"Great! When do we start throwing Christians to the lions?"

[safeblad]

i'm confused as to whether they are actually using the phrase 'when in rome'... anyway.

[michael5799042]

I can become a Roman, I cannot become a Korean

[kiwiduncan]

When in Rome do the Romans.

[michael5799042]

Sigh and say "Oh, how I wish I was in Rome!"

[Yu_Bum_suk]

I prefer to turn it around on the students.

'Oh, teachah, why? Dippicult! Waeyo!, blah blah blah pree time blah blah blah why?'.

'Because this is Korea. Now stop whining and do your work!'

[mnhnhyouh]

[Scouse Mouse]

Does this mean I should only speak Korean in the English class?

[DJTwoTone]

I usually just tell them that having sex with my sister really doesn't interest me... But they are more than welcome to if that floats there boat.

I throw in the extra idiom just to brighten their day.

Also, There is something sticking in my memory that that particular idiom had something to do with the British letting there hair down and relaxing there sexual mores in Rome... But I could be wrong.

[traveler81]

[Cerriowen]

Or you might say that the lemming mentality is outdated.

[Justin Hale]

"When in Rome, do as the Romans do" is ancient sophistry, primitive and base relativism, and a generally fallacious method of reasoning.

Not very witty, I know, but perhaps tell them to research Socrates.

[mateomiguel]

hrm... 'Romans did what they do all over the world." ?

Or you could modify one of my favorite quotes from the HBO TV series Rome.