Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Druzyek]

Hello,
I have been teaching in Seoul at a hagwan since November. Some of the things that the natives do here can be confusing for a Westerner. I read an article a few weeks ago and a small part of it was about what the Korean mindset. It was really interesting but very short. Can anyone recommend a website, article, or book that goes a little more in depth about Korean mentality and their motivation to do things differently than Westerners do?

[thunderbird]

i think u gotta start thinking backward to think like them.

[Bloopity Bloop]

WOW at this thread...

Their "motivation to do things differently than Westerners do"? Is that just phrased poorly or are you genuinely curious as to why Koreans actively choose not to do things like us?

And I have nothing to say about thunderbird, I just have to wonder why he's here.

[Steelrails]

Any Jane Austen book can be a decent start. I find much in common between the emphasis on status and the concern for ones actions and how it reflects upon the family.

Other parts of Austen do not compare, but it is a good bridge.

Korea is not so much different as just reflecting 'Old School' values. Family, Hierarchy, De-Emphasizing extreme individualism, Concern for Manners, Face.

As far as details, I'm sure any ole book or website will do the trick.

But really, the best way to learn is not from a book, but experience. Go and be with Koreans.

Some of it is baffling and nonsensical, other parts make sense and in fact make more sense then some of our stuff.

AS long as you don't have the mindset of a 24 year old single person, who believes they know what's right all the time on every subject, with a big sense of entitlement, the culture will make sense in part.

[kabrams]

[thunderbird]

[Old Gil]

Koreans cannot plan. It's a fact, that's why the work days are so long, to compensate for this. Learn to say no, or how to nod, smile and say 'yes' then pretend like you didn't understand, and do whatever it was you were doing in the first place.

[ulsanchris]

a good place to start is Micheal Breen's book The Koreans. For a Korean take on Korea look at Korea Unmasked. Its in comic book form. Its okay for the most part. In some parts the author is brutally honest about Koreans and why they do things. In other parts he is just utters utter BS.

[Burndog]

There's a book called The Koreans by Michael Breen. It's quite well written and provides a decent cultural and historical reference point for a lot of the differences that we Western types encounter here (some parts are a bit rubbisy to be honest...but it's the best book I've read on the subject). A previous poster suggested spending time with Koreans...and I agree...that's a splendid idea. The Breen book can be found at most major bookstores in Seoul (Kyobo etc).

One thing that is important...sometimes you have to let go of the notion that there is a right and a wrong way to think/talk/act, and that your way is right, and everyone else is wrong. Just accept that there are different ways to be. Try to be open minded and relax a bit...it's not war.

[redaxe]

I read a couple of good history books about Korea ("The Two Koreas" was fantastic) but they didn't really explain the modern culture. Then I read "Doing Business in Korea" or something to that effect right before I came here. You can find them if you search on Amazon. I think one of them was this one: http://www.amazon.com/Korean-Business-Etiquette-Attitudes-Personality/dp/0804835829/

They had a few good insights on the militaristic hierarchical culture and collectivism, and some typical office faux pas scenarios but they didn't begin to prepare me for it. Honestly I would have been better off just reading Dave's.

My problem was that I had spent time in China first. So naturally I thought Korea would be like China, where they have plenty of exotic traditions, rituals and rules but nobody really takes them too seriously or cares much about breaking them, and people have a sense of humor about them. Boy, was I wrong!

Koreans are really into hierarchy, seniority, and keeping up appearances, and they take these things very, very seriously. They do not respond well to teasing, sarcasm, or "brutal" honesty, and they ignore all inconvenient truths.

The way to succeed in Korea is to always look like you're doing what you're supposed to do, always tell people what they want to hear, always say "yes" to everything, and then say you're "sorry but please understand because [blah blah excuse]" when you fail to deliver on a promise at the last minute. Rinse and repeat until you are old. Congratulations, you are now the boss! No one can say "no" to you ever again!

[Druzyek]

[schwa]

Not Korea-specific but pertinent, you might check out The Geography of Thought -- How Asians and Westerners Think Differently ... and Why by Richard Nisbett. He's a social psychologist & his work is solidly researched & respected.

Somewhat more arcane, but another book that afforded me some big insights into Korean thinking was I Ching (The Book of Changes), Wilhelm/Baynes translation. Koreans know it as Chu-Yeok. Confucius' take on things with interpretations. I kept coming back to this book over the years with no idea I'd ever even set foot in Asia. But once I did, a lot of stuff I observed around me here instantly made sense.

& as someone above suggested, get out & meet lots of Koreans. Theres nothing like conversations with an intelligent friend for discovering layers & layers of difference.

[Gaber]

http://www.bloggersbase.com/media/culture-east-vs-west/
Perhaps not perfectly applicable to Koreans, but cute if you haven't seen it before

[Stalin84]

[ms.catbc]

I would suggest researching the history of Korea from multiple perspectives not just western historians.

Enjoy being here, build lasting relationships, stay up talking about and celebrating differences in a safe and non judgmental space. People are fascinating and looking for reasons why people do different things can be quite interesting indeed. Just be careful of "othering".

Certainly don't think that the west is the best.