Korean Job Discussion Forums

[coolsage]

Why won't most Korean teacher-employers (and that includes some universities as well), get it through their heads that most Westerners over the age of maturity , do not, will not consent to share their personal abode with a complete stranger? We are not about to be herded. I've turned down a few juicy-looking jobs for that very reason; the accommodation was either a 'shared apart' or a dormitory situation in which one is locked up like the students, at night. It's no wonder that many people are by-passing situations such as these and looking elsewhere.

[Bulsajo]

I agree in so far as I won't share an apartment with a total stranger ever again- I've had too many bad experiences (and not just in Korea either).

I'm sure for some employers it is a matter of saving money and packing teachers together like cattle to reduce costs, but for others I'm sure that it's a cultural thing- I'd be willing to bet that most Koreans don't truly 'get' the concept of wanting to live alone; It's a relatively alien concept. You live with your family until you get married; If you go away to school/military you are housed in together in barracks/dorms.

That North Americans desire so much 'personal space' and 'alone time' is found to be wierd by many other cultures/countries. North Americans are considered to be very 'distant' and 'cold' by a great by many people around the world; A Korean might say we are lacking in 'skinship'. When I lived in South America I was considered to be borderline-suicidal if all I wanted to do was spend the day alone in the shade of a tree reading a good book- people thought there was something terribly wrong with that....

[Mr. Pink]

Are a lot of places still doing that shared accomodation thing? It's been awhile since I've done it with anyone other than my wife.

I am glad I did it my first year here, but I felt sorry for the guy who I had to share with, as he was promised his own place and got screwed over. However he helped me quite a lot into fitting in and seeing how good Korea is. I bet if it wasn't for him I might not have stayed after the first year.

Now about turning down kickass jobs...um is there a reason you couldn't have gotten your own one room officetel or studio?

[Mr. Kalgukshi]

Bulsajo wrote:

"I'm sure for some employers it is a matter of saving money and packing teachers together like cattle to reduce costs,..."

Mr. Kalgukshi now writes: Not a bad description. I reduce it to, "warehousing." I do like the "cattle part," though.

Bulsajo also wrote: "A Korean might say we are lacking in 'skinship'."

Mr. Kalgukshi now writes: And only another Korean (or a comparatively few other brave souls who happened to experience the ROK) would have the faintest idea what he or she was saying in what sounds remotely like English.

[rapier]

To the Koreans, it is a matter of herding to save costs in part. But they do have the attitude that its a social obligation, a duty that westerners dislike because they are "selfish". Sharing with other people is normal to them, a hangover from their years of poverty when whole families crammed together into shoeboxes like sardines.
Sharing accom- I loathe it. You really grow out of it after about the age of 21.... even backpacking and staying in crowded youth hostels is a daunting prrospect to me now.

[mithridates]

I don't like it much myself, but luckily I met my best friend in Korea that way.

[ratslash]

i've heard of a shared apartment, but a dormitory is a new one on me?

[just because]

After this contract i will never do it again.

[in_seoul_2003]

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[Son Deureo!]