Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Rock]

Do you feel you have to quarrel more here than you've had to back home? Do you feel like you've had to stand up for your rights more? Does it make you feel like a hot-head, like an egocentric Westerner?

I feel like a jerk in Asia sometimes. But wonder if my ideals about standing up for your rights-as an individual-are something human nature or what I've acquired.

If it's human nature, I don't feel so prejudiced.

[AgentM]

While I haven't lived in Korea yet, I suspect that people who live in foreign cultures often feel like they have a harder time with things and thus may try to stand up for themselves and have to act in a manner which isn't necessarily natural for them personally. I sympathize and would likely feel like a jerk too, since I'm not the type of person who likes to rock the boat. Like I said, I suspect that your situation is not unique.

[Joe666]

If you happen to find yourself in a situation were you are with Koreans, everyone is conducting the exact same business transaction and you as a westerner are charged double, then I might dismiss the notion of having a difficult time adjusting to my new culture.

Just a thought, don't read too much into it!!

[Joe666]

I guess I ended this thread mighty quick! It's been a few days and no one has touched this baby. I find it hard to believe that no one in K-land has a similar story. It must be a case of "been there" and "read it on Dave's a million times".