Korean Job Discussion Forums

Rae · Joined: 10 Oct 2007

What's the deal with public schools and Christmas presents? I only get Christmas day off and it looks like I have to be back on the 26th (that should be illegal Crying or Very sad

). I'm wondering if they'll bust out the presents? Who normally gives the gifts?

Although I'm not renewing and looking forward to leaving, my school's pretty nice and so are most of the teachers. I wanted to give something to my co-teachers and principal since they looked-out for me when my Edu Office was trying to abuse me. But just by doing that will make it hard with everyone else. The teachers at my school are pretty discrete so it'd be OK to not give something to everyone but is it normal to give out Xmas gifts or will I make people feel uncomfy?

sojourner1 · Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2008 6:09 am Post subject:

I'm not sure I got the 26th off, but I was just told the 24th is the last day before Winter break. I'll have to ask since I plan to go to Seoul to take in the holiday season atmosphere for a couple days. 1 day just isn't enough to make back on time.

I would just tell em' you're invited to go to Seoul with some people to celebrate Christmas and you can't make up Friday. Tell em' it's very important to you, that Christmas is the one big major holiday for you, and ask what you can do to make it up. Surely you have no classes on the 26th or anything they're counting on you for that day. I would tell em' this, because that's my plan and what I need for my morale. Kinda bummed don't have enough time for Thanksgiving festivities, but Christmas is only 6 weeks from now.

the ireland · Joined: 11 May 2008 Location: korea

that's annoying about your hols, last year we were off on the 24th and 25th, which were mon and tues so we had sat, sun, mon and tues off so it was a nice break, you should enquire about trying to get the friday off, it will give you a nice extended break!!

on the other hand, i am doing my masters abd i'm now on my university holidays, i finished my last lecture last thurs and i'm not back until the 27th of january.....good times!!!

peppermint · Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2008 10:54 am Post subject:

Christmas isn't much of a time for giftgiving in Korea, so there won't be much expectation. If you want to do something for everyone, bring especially good baked goods for a staff meeting around Christmas time.

Rae · Joined: 10 Oct 2007

aboxofchocolates · Joined: 21 Mar 2008 Location: on your mind

crazy_arcade · Joined: 05 Nov 2006

No culture of gift giving for Christmas in Korea. This ain't Kansas, doncha know.......

Young children will get one present from Santa
Lovers in their 20's will cram every restaurant, bar, and coffee shop. No seats are available anywere. Some lovers might exchange gifts.

sojourner1 · Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2008 7:36 pm Post subject:

Lovers send pretty cards to each other maybe some gifts. It's only a 1 day eating out kind of holiday. Western restaurants will be packed as that's what's associated with Christmas. While Korea recognizes Christmas as a holiday, Korean culture does not support Christmas in a proper sense. It's superficial as Korea has no tradition of it like western countries do.