Korean Job Discussion Forums

[gay in korea]

So every day on this board there are people who make posts about this, that or the other thing they don't life about Korea. Then there are the people who one poster labelled something like "Korea defenders to the death."

Between these two groups are what I like to think are people like me. They don't hate it here, but they see and acknowledge some of the many issues that exist in this country. They see these problems as having solutions (simple or otherwise) and would like to see action taken.

Sometimes there are issues such as equality and discrimination (eg:screenings of E2s but not Koreans), sometimes there are issues with the incredibly high level of nationalist fervor. Sometimes it's driving. Sometimes it's kimchi, or fan death or any number of other things.

i'm curious as to the motivation and the relationship posters have vis-a-vis Korea. Lover, hater, improver, meh?

[samd]

The problem with this is that it is all too easier for the hater to conveniently become an improver when called out.

It's patronising at best and arrogant at worst.

eg.

Hater: I hate this place, and I look down on the people and the culture.

Lover: Why do you live here then?

Hater: (Trying to think of a way out) Well excuse me! Complaining is just my way of helping the poor deluded culturally(but not racially, I'm not a racist BUT)-inferior Koreans. Don't we all have a right to vent? Maybe if I bitch and moan enough they will improve enough that they meet my lofty standards. Why do you love it here so much? What's wrong with you? Why can't you be miserable like me?

[Steelrails]

I have minimal to no control over improving Korean behavior. NET behavior on the other hand...

So to add to this discussion, what are some things WE can do to improve ourselves? What can we do to make Korea a better place and things we can offer, besides advice on what they are doing wrong?

[redaxe]

[Old Gil]

Haterade in abundance. We can do nothing to change this society short of groveling.

[Steelrails]

Yes, as a foreigner you have no control over improving Korea nor any ability to force Koreans to change their ability. Which is the way it should be...duh. Foreigners shouldn't be making laws in America or Korea. Citizens, yes.

The only influence you have is what you as a person do in your day-to-day life. So once again, what are some things YOU could be doing to improve?

Anyone who expects society to improve to make their life happier is a peawit. Focus on improving yourself, that is all you have control over. Who knows, you might end up influencing someone, including yes, a Korean.

As for foreigners having no influence by their personal abilities, tell that to the first Christian missionaries that came over here.

Why everyone thinks that influence and change should be done by laws and regulations is beyond me. The answer to every problem isn't always a law.

And yes, sometimes influence and change doesn't happen overnight. I know in the movies it happens in two hours, but these things take generations and you have to be patient and willing to work for something long-term.

[toadkillerdog]

OP, how about a Poll Option for, "Doesn't really care". ?

[crisdean]

[vaticanhotline]

It's interesting that people seem to think that they can somehow "change" Korean culture. It's not as if we're brought here to be ambassadors of the West (and considering the behaviour of some foreigners, that's probably for the best), or that we are valued for our expertise in any kind of sociological field.

More significantly, this attitude that we can change things is a symptom of something else, namely egocentricity. Just because we've been transplanted from our own societies, where the chances of us making any kind of "difference" were even more restricted, into a new one where quite often we are made to feel privileged (no rent, decent pay, random people saying hello to you on the street and trying to talk to you, etc.), the idea grows that we are here because of our culture's "superiority" (for which read colonial success). In reality, NETs are still a tiny fraction of the population of Korea, and since most don't stay long enough (or aren't inclined) to build up meaningful connections with the society they inhabit, then any kind of social changes that could be effected are minimal at best.

[VanIslander]

I'm here for a fraction of my life and am essentially a guest, gone by immigration law the moment my work contract ends. Why love, hate or improve?

[Smee]

You really can't talk about "improving" Korea. That's a ridiculously arrogant stance to take, it's completely subjective, it's usually wrong, and besides, it's not yours to "improve."

What you can do, and what people should be doing, is improving how foreigners here relate to Korea, and how Koreans relate to them.

[VanIslander]

[redaxe]

[BigStan]

I'm definintely a tolerator. There are lots of things about Korean culture I don't like. But I tolerate it, and as a foreigner I can live outside of most of the BS anyway, I don;t have to behave according to the conservative social norms, so it's all gravy.

There are some very good things about this country too. Some aspects of it are really nice so try to focus on those and stay positive. Don't get sucked into the black hole. Just keep your perspective beyond Korea and remember that there's a whole world beyond this.

[jiberish]

Korea is just another country and with all countries there are differences. Some are better, some are worse. But I somewhat agree with lover comments. If you don't like it and all you want to do is bitch about it and not do anything constructive then leave.