Korean Job Discussion Forums

[rationality]

[afsjesse]

Sounds like an exact replica of my situation minus the broken shower. It sucks and makes for a long day at work. Luckily i work at 4 schools and am only here 3 days per week.

[Joe666]

That pretty much sums it up. Your coteacher may not even realize that your passive aggressive behavior is abnormal (for westerners). I am a "newbie" by all accounts in this country. From what I understand, everything you are describing is run of the mill for Korea.

The one glaring part of your post that seems way off is the part about your co-teacher talking in Hanguel while the students look at you and laugh. If that was me, I would be having a "Western Philosophy" discussion with that co-teacher.

[Epicurus]

is this co-teacher also your handler? typically one of them is also the NET coordinator.

You've written about this 7 day thing at some length, and what I remain befuddled by is how this issue ever really got past the point where you pulled out the contract, pointed to the article which deals with vacation time and asked her to read it in English or Korean because the contract is done in both languages.

for her to press the matter and embarrass herself while knowing she was clearly wrong, shows that she either judged you to be very stupid expecting you to cater to her whims or shows that she is very stupid.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

The same question: is she older or younger than you? Then we can help you strategise.

[TheUrbanMyth]

I don't understand about the landlord or lunch things.


Those aren't her responsibilities.

[rationality]

[Rory_Calhoun27]

what drives me the most nuts after the "passive-aggressive" part (how such behavior is considered the norm is beyond me..... and where did Confucious get that? His Jewish or Irish mother-in-law no doubt... 'cuz facing a problem Head-on is just toooo difficult!!!) is the lack of any kind of meaningful attempt to work as a team OR receive outside assistance at solving a problem when they occur.

I wont bore with my travails with a crazed coteacher- but my beef is with GEPIK, who told HOW SERIOUS my problem was and HOW SERIOUS their intusion into the matter is, and then when nothing changes, their silence.... but then when I was audacious enough to call re: obtaining a position in a new school, they can't even recall who did what in the previous problem.....


screw it.... Im headed south- hopefully to somewhere that actually WANTS an English-speaking teacher...

[Goku]

I can sniff out passive agressive behavior pretty well.

And your post reeks of her doing it.

Well, the problem with passive agression is that she can deny it. So it's not like you can report it to anyone or complain to other co-workers.

The best way to deal with passive agressiveness is to let them know you are on the same side or a misunderstanding occured.

Just come forthright, tell her, "oh hey I totally forgot, but I'm sorry about the days of the contract issue. I didn't totally understand it and I thought I could have the rest of my days off. "

It's better to get along with her. Remember she WILL affect if you are renewed or not. (that is if you want to be) and she may or may not have some input into your future evaluations. Unless you speak fluent Korean you could be essentially screwed. Look at it this way, she's your private translator and "servant" why in god's name would you want to play the passive agressive game with her?

Just apologize man. Maybe you were "right" in the situation. But certainly you are man enough to let her just "win" this one just for the sake of face. Sometimes you have to lose a battle to win a war. Being on bad terms with her benefits nobdoy. ESPECIALLY not you. It's a total lose lose situation

[Straphanger]

[chris_J2]

You need to be aware of the social hierarchy in Korea. It exists in Western countries, too. I made the mistake of going directly to the Head of a Government Dept, for a couple of days vacation, when I was 18. I annoyed quite a few immediate supervisors, & mid level managers, by doing so. They like to be included in the loop.

You should ask your coteacher 1st, who then relays your request up the ladder to the VP, who then communicates with the Principal. The Principals response is then relayed back down the ladder & channeled to you through your coteacher

1You -> 2. K Co Teacher -> VP -> Principal (Says 'Yes')

1 Principal >
2 VP >
3 K Coteacher >
4 You (Says "Great, Time Off Approved!")

I'd talk to K Coteacher & apologise for the faux pas. You have to work with him/her for the rest of the work year, & she/he can make or break your time at the school.

[Epicurus]

in his particular case, if the co-teacher purposefully tried to screw him on his obvious vacation time, then one has no choice but to jump up the hierarchy.

I'm still confused exactly what the full story was, since holidays are clearly defined in the contract as working days days, apart from your renewal holiday which is defined as a calendar day period.

in my case, I would have simply pointed to the article in question, said read this, and walked away - end of discussion. If she insisted on being stupid, I'd happily expose her stupidity to the dept head, vp or principal.

[Fishead soup]

Your Korean co-teacher is a tool for you just as you are for him/her.
Emtions and feelings don't fit into that equation. I am like Spock when I deal with my co-teacher. Totally devoid of emotion or feeling.

Emotion will make you weak. Emotion is irrational illogical and Immoral.

[D.D.]

E motion is energy in motion and without it you will be a head walking around with no feelings disconnected from your body. Feelings can be more real than thoughts. Thoughts and feelings together equal wisdom. Thinking without feeling disconnects you from your enviroment and others. Without the compassion of feelings you can do things like build nuclear bombs or harm others or the enviroment. I guess is it a good way to hear the words without getting the meaning.

[louiloui]