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mack the knife
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Location: standing right behind you...
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 Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 4:48 pm Post subject: Korea: Sparkle on, you crazy diamond |
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The stats are in!
*Korea has the highest suicide rate among females among OECD countries. Win!
*Korean workers (read: slave labor) work the most hours among OECD members. Win!
*The poverty rate as the 6th highest among OECD members. Not a win, but nice showing!
*Korea scores in the top for traffic fatalities. Win!
On the other hand, the crime rate is low!*
*Only because crimes are undereported (particularly rape) and police don't do anything about reported crimes anyway, and simply sweep them under the carpet. If you haven't figured this out yet, you haven't lived here very long. |
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samcheokguy
Joined: 02 Nov 2008
Location: Samcheok G-do
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| Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 4:50 pm Post subject: |
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So why stay?
I'm leaving!
At least we can leave. Sure, some people really do care about Korea. But until the KOREANS care about Korea, what are we going to do? |
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ulsanchris
Joined: 19 Jun 2003
Location: take a wild guess
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| Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 4:58 pm Post subject: |
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| Sounds like your having the day I had yesterday. |
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michaelambling
Joined: 31 Dec 2008
Location: Paradise
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| Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 5:01 pm Post subject: Re: Korea: Sparkle on, you crazy diamond |
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| mack the knife wrote: |
The stats are in!
*Korea has the highest suicide rate among females among OECD countries. Win!
*Korean workers (read: slave labor) work the most hours among OECD members. Win!
*The poverty rate as the 6th highest among OECD members. Not a win, but nice showing!
*Korea scores in the top for traffic fatalities. Win!
On the other hand, the crime rate is low!* |
Could you give us a link to your source? I don't doubt you--not for a second--but I'd like to take a gander at the tables myself. |
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eamo
Joined: 08 Mar 2003
Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.
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| Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 5:05 pm Post subject: |
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| samcheokguy wrote: |
So why stay?
I'm leaving!
At least we can leave. Sure, some people really do care about Korea. But until the KOREANS care about Korea, what are we going to do? |
*groan*.......why can't some people stretch their brain a bit and understand that many Dave's members are living happy productive lives in Korea, yet still have the critical ability to see the crap that goes on here. A country having failings doesn't mean you should leave it. All countries have failings. |
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Ilsanman
Joined: 15 Aug 2003
Location: Bucheon, Korea
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| Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 5:06 pm Post subject: |
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Korea is the bastard child of OECD.
Also highest for inflation, and highest for elderly poverty. |
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mack the knife
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Location: standing right behind you...
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TheUrbanMyth
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Location: Retired
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| Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 6:38 pm Post subject: |
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| eamo wrote: |
| samcheokguy wrote: |
So why stay?
I'm leaving!
At least we can leave. Sure, some people really do care about Korea. But until the KOREANS care about Korea, what are we going to do? |
*groan*.......why can't some people stretch their brain a bit and understand that many Dave's members are living happy productive lives in Korea, yet still have the critical ability to see the crap that goes on here. A country having failings doesn't mean you should leave it. All countries have failings. |
Posting repeatedly on a messageboard about Korea's failings sounds neither happy nor productive.
You are quite right when you say "A country having failings doesn't mean you should leave it." But when one reaches the point where they no longer have anything good to say about Korea (or very little) it may be time to think seriously about leaving. After all if one dislikes the place and people...how can they be happy living there? |
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michaelambling
Joined: 31 Dec 2008
Location: Paradise
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| Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 7:03 pm Post subject: |
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| TheUrbanMyth wrote: |
| eamo wrote: |
| samcheokguy wrote: |
So why stay?
I'm leaving!
At least we can leave. Sure, some people really do care about Korea. But until the KOREANS care about Korea, what are we going to do? |
*groan*.......why can't some people stretch their brain a bit and understand that many Dave's members are living happy productive lives in Korea, yet still have the critical ability to see the crap that goes on here. A country having failings doesn't mean you should leave it. All countries have failings. |
Posting repeatedly on a messageboard about Korea's failings sounds neither happy nor productive.
You are quite right when you say "A country having failings doesn't mean you should leave it." But when one reaches the point where they no longer have anything good to say about Korea (or very little) it may be time to think seriously about living. After all if one dislikes the place and people...how can they be happy living there? |
Listen to Nine Inch Nails--some people are more comfortable with misery, because happiness is unobtainable for them, or they are too used to being losers.
In any case, just live and let live--Urban, you seem like a nice guy, but you're obsessed with defending Korea. You enjoy Korea--great. Some people don't--that sucks for them. Why don't you be grateful that you're enjoying your life more than they are, and stop trying to convert them? I think it'd be much more peaceful for you. |
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mack the knife
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Location: standing right behind you...
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| Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 8:06 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| But when one reaches the point where they no longer have anything good to say about Korea (or very little) it may be time to think seriously about leaving. |
Translation: Let's all suck Korea's d*ck and stop moaning about swallowing.
I'll agree with you on one point. When you meet people in real life and all they do is bitch and moan and rip on Korea, their company gets old fast. The same goes for anyone who drones on and on about any one topic.
On the other hand, many people who post on this board, like myself, don't bitch and moan and go on about Korea in real life. We don't have to. We can do it here. Urban, if you know a particular poster does nothing but bitch and moan, why read his or her posts? What kind of masochist would do that? |
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TheUrbanMyth
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Location: Retired
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| Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 8:25 pm Post subject: |
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| mack the knife wrote: |
| Quote: |
| But when one reaches the point where they no longer have anything good to say about Korea (or very little) it may be time to think seriously about leaving. |
Translation: Let's all suck Korea's d*ck and stop moaning about swallowing.
I'll agree with you on one point. When you meet people in real life and all they do is bitch and moan and rip on Korea, their company gets old fast. The same goes for anyone who drones on and on about any one topic.
On the other hand, many people who post on this board, like myself, don't bitch and moan and go on about Korea in real life. We don't have to. We can do it here. Urban, if you know a particular poster does nothing but bitch and moan, why read his or her posts? What kind of masochist would do that? |
Actually there are at least two posters on this board who I skim past and don't bother replying. |
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samcheokguy
Joined: 02 Nov 2008
Location: Samcheok G-do
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| Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 9:24 pm Post subject: |
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| eamo wrote: |
| samcheokguy wrote: |
So why stay?
I'm leaving!
At least we can leave. Sure, some people really do care about Korea. But until the KOREANS care about Korea, what are we going to do? |
*groan*.......why can't some people stretch their brain a bit and understand that many Dave's members are living happy productive lives in Korea, yet still have the critical ability to see the crap that goes on here. A country having failings doesn't mean you should leave it. All countries have failings. |
All countries have failings. However this country has too many failings to live in unless you have a vested interest in the country. WHy live in a distopia like the ROK? You could be living somewhere you felt positive about. This is why I am leaving. I've been happier in other countries. Heck even certain aspects of small town life in America were more productive than this... |
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TheUrbanMyth
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Location: Retired
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| Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 9:35 pm Post subject: |
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| michaelambling wrote: |
| TheUrbanMyth wrote: |
| eamo wrote: |
| samcheokguy wrote: |
So why stay?
I'm leaving!
At least we can leave. Sure, some people really do care about Korea. But until the KOREANS care about Korea, what are we going to do? |
*groan*.......why can't some people stretch their brain a bit and understand that many Dave's members are living happy productive lives in Korea, yet still have the critical ability to see the crap that goes on here. A country having failings doesn't mean you should leave it. All countries have failings. |
Posting repeatedly on a messageboard about Korea's failings sounds neither happy nor productive.
You are quite right when you say "A country having failings doesn't mean you should leave it." But when one reaches the point where they no longer have anything good to say about Korea (or very little) it may be time to think seriously about living. After all if one dislikes the place and people...how can they be happy living there? |
Listen to Nine Inch Nails--some people are more comfortable with misery, because happiness is unobtainable for them, or they are too used to being losers.
In any case, just live and let live--Urban, you seem like a nice guy, but you're obsessed with defending Korea. You enjoy Korea--great. Some people don't--that sucks for them. Why don't you be grateful that you're enjoying your life more than they are, and stop trying to convert them? I think it'd be much more peaceful for you. |
Most of the time it's not about defending Korea per se...it's just about trying to have a productive debate. I keep hoping that someday someone will come up with a more original defense then "You're a Korean aren't you." 
Yes there are certain things about Korea that suck.
Hakwon owners (although there are some good ones) are generally a scummy bunch who will rip you off given half a chance.
Xenophobic bureaucrats who come up with all manner of silly laws and equally silly ways of applying them (E-2 visas anyone?)
Stupid drivers who seem either blind or paralyzed with the exception of their foot on the accelerator.
And you or I or anyone could come up with a hundred more things.
But at the end of the day, what it all boils down if we can't stand living here, we can get on a plane and go home. No one is stopping us. So it bears pointing out to the bashers, while they are bashing, that obviously the good points for them outweigh the bad points. Biting the hand that feeds you is not a good policy at any time...especially now as a bill that relates to foreign teachers is under discussion in government (see the ATEK sticky thread for more information). |
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crescent
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Location: yes.
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| Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 10:04 pm Post subject: |
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| TheUrbanMyth wrote: |
| But at the end of the day, what it all boils down if we can't stand living here, we can get on a plane and go home. No one is stopping us. So it bears pointing out to the bashers, while they are bashing, that obviously the good points for them outweigh the bad points. Biting the hand that feeds you is not a good policy at any time...especially now as a bill that relates to foreign teachers is under discussion in government (see the ATEK sticky thread for more information). |
Why do you insist on equating a critical view with a 'can't stand it here' view. If you were to go home to where you came from, would you not find people bitching and complaining about taxes, about government policy, crime rates, immigration, and other social issues??
People complain. People criticize. The more people that do so, the greater the chance for change. When you go back to your hometown, do you tell all those who complain to move to another country?...Why do it here?
Hmm....You'd rather condemn the people who point out the prevailing idiocy in this country, and you do it on a regular basis. That's quite smelly of you.
As far as 'biting the hand that feeds us' ... oh come on now. If Korea keeps staggering down this road of idiotic policy, they will only be hurting themselves. Truly qualified people will go elsewhere, and the vicious circle will continue. It's not like talented professionals from OTHER industries are beating a path to the Korean Air ticket counter. Quite the opposite. Wonder why?
Yeah, I have a good life here, but I'm not planning on making it a lifetime stay. That doesn't stop me from calling out the nonsense that occurs . Those that are locked in with a family have all the more reason to be heard. |
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nosmallplans
Joined: 10 Oct 2008
Location: noksapyeong
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| Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 11:04 pm Post subject: |
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| michaelambling wrote: |
| TheUrbanMyth wrote: |
| eamo wrote: |
| samcheokguy wrote: |
So why stay?
I'm leaving!
At least we can leave. Sure, some people really do care about Korea. But until the KOREANS care about Korea, what are we going to do? |
*groan*.......why can't some people stretch their brain a bit and understand that many Dave's members are living happy productive lives in Korea, yet still have the critical ability to see the crap that goes on here. A country having failings doesn't mean you should leave it. All countries have failings. |
Posting repeatedly on a messageboard about Korea's failings sounds neither happy nor productive.
You are quite right when you say "A country having failings doesn't mean you should leave it." But when one reaches the point where they no longer have anything good to say about Korea (or very little) it may be time to think seriously about living. After all if one dislikes the place and people...how can they be happy living there? |
Listen to Nine Inch Nails--some people are more comfortable with misery, because happiness is unobtainable for them, or they are too used to being losers.
In any case, just live and let live--Urban, you seem like a nice guy, but you're obsessed with defending Korea. You enjoy Korea--great. Some people don't--that sucks for them. Why don't you be grateful that you're enjoying your life more than they are, and stop trying to convert them? I think it'd be much more peaceful for you. |
I'm pretty sure Trent Reznor would kick you in the throat then proceed to organize a demonstration against the Korean government in order to fix the things he doesn't like. |
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