Korean Job Discussion Forums

OnTheOtherSide · Joined: 29 Feb 2008

So far I don't see what most people here are complaining about. This place seems great to me!

I've got a very nice apartment, lots of fun stuff to do, very affordable, a good paying job with shorter hours than I would ever get back home. I'm only two days into my job but I can already see that it is indeed an easy job, the working conditions are decent compared to other jobs i've had...... where's the problem?

As far as all the complaints I keep hearing people make about the Korean people being rude, pushy etc. Personally i'm just not seeing it. Maybe it's because I grew up in a few American cities full of crime and gangs, so compared to that, Koreans are rather pleasant and harmless. Like puppy dogs, nothing dangerous, just a lot of yapping and barking but no real bite. And in fact, most Koreans smile at me and act pretty cool.

Maybe things will get worse after a while, maybe my school will screw me over one day or something. But so far things are just groovy.

So far my only complaints are that it is indeed polluted and dirtier than what i'm used to. The language barrier is tough, it's hard to get basic things done like shopping or chatting with people. The drivers are insane. And I have not seen even one other foreigner on the street, it is very homogenous.

And I have had Koreans act a bit impatiant and annoyed by my lack of Korean language skill, but don't foreigners get treated this way in most countries? I know that most foreigners in the U.S. seemed to get treated just as bad or worse.

I know that i'm a totally fresh here and I might get disillusioned later. But so far this place is doing me pretty well, just as well as my homeland at least. I think i'm gonna be just fine and dandy here. And if things go sour, i'll just hop on a plane outta here instead of complaining. I can see that this place isn't exactly paradise, but it really doesn't seem too bad to me.

nicholas_chiasson · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Location: Samcheok

Aw wait awhile. Trust me Korean gets to everyone somedays. The problem is the ESLcafe is where everyone having a bad day rants at the same time, making your bad day worse. Misery loves company.

Chris Kwon · Joined: 23 Jan 2008 Location: North Korea

Culture shock doesn't kick in right away, keep that in mind. I wish you the best though, don't turn into another bitter dave's esl poster Cool

kingplaya4 · Joined: 14 May 2006

At this point you know almost nothing about the country that you haven't learnt on Dave's. Give us your educated opinion maybe a year later and then feel free to disagree with everyone.

tommo123456789 · Joined: 31 Jan 2008

Who wants to start a pool for when the OP's honeymoon period is over? I give it till July 15th

Just kidding BTW.. Glad you're enjoying it!

nicholas_chiasson · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Location: Samcheok

if the poster was expecting urban gang warfare in Korea, he just might come to love it here. I hear their is a evil Malay Gang in Busan though.

kingplaya4 · Joined: 14 May 2006

My post sounds a little rude, I didn't mean it that way, just it sounds a bit funny when someones been in the country for a week or so and is already making judgments. Anyway, hope you enjoy your stay here.

justin moffatt · Joined: 29 Aug 2006

Besides, Pusan is a little more chill than Seoul. I find Koreans in Pusan to be a little less reactionary to foreigners (perhaps due to absence of American military).

oskinny1 · Joined: 10 Nov 2006 Location: Right behind you!

Who was it that posted after their first week here about how much they admired Korean culture and was just amazed at all things han? A few months later he was writing about how horrible his school was and how horrible all Koreans were.

OP, I hope it works out for you, remember, what you read here is usually the worst of the worst. Little things get to you after awhile though. Kids screaming "HI!!" and running off, others pointing at you or taking your picture (on the DL even though their cameras flash or make the "phookatish" sound) on the subway, Korean guys calling the girl you're walking with a *beep* (even if there is a foot between you two).

Keep those rose colored classes on and if the boss asks you to do something, don't be too quick to say no, it may (and I stress may) pay off later.

ryouga013 · Joined: 14 Sep 2007

OnTheOtherSide · Joined: 29 Feb 2008

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

xCustomx · Joined: 06 Jan 2006

michi gnome · Joined: 15 Feb 2006 Location: Dokdo

i look forward to the slow emergence of your hatred

i can't wait to watch it bloom like a bitter black flower

and watch the petals decay, wither and fall off

ah, i'm going to enjoy this

savor it like a fine, vintage wine

OP, come join us on the dark side

take your time and get settled in...look around...

we'll be waiting...

Scotticus · Joined: 18 Mar 2007

OP - Not to say I hate Korea (cause I do like it alot), but you're in the honeymoon period. I thought this place was amazing at first. Give it a few months and you'll have a healthy number of gripes. Just remember, ALL countries have their problems.