Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Medic]

There was a speel in the news not to long ago about cross culturalism, and some Dutchman's criteria for evaluating cultures. His list of categories included 1 collectivism versus individualism

2 masculine versus feminine

3 distance power relationship

4 Low avoidance and risk

1. Korea is very much collectivistic, and individualism gets hammered badly. Most Koreans see their country as an extension of themselves, and identify with it in a way that only a few other races do for their own countries. Koreans identify so strongly with their country that they feel a bond that dangerously leeds many to think they are on the moral highground and above the law. Many Koreans are unconciously drawn into a cultic mindset. The collectivism which is so prevalent here gives people a false sence of security about being Korean. A cult's members identify with the group, and consider every one not a member of the group evil and an outsider. Members of cults find all of their security through their association with the their fellow members and it's organization. Anyone who rocks the boat, and has a point of view not normally held by other members is ostracized badly. So badly in fact that they conform quickly to the present and accepted way of thinking.

2. The masculine versus feminine thing is tied in with the nurturing side of a culture. Koreans can sometimes support the underdog, and be very caring. It's supposed to be this feminine caring side to their natures that is behind the Ro Mu Hyun peaceful demonstrations. On the other hand Korea is quite a masculine country in it's drive to be productive and in the desire of most people to work hard for their gains.

3. The distance power thing is the confucian hierarchy bit that is so prevalent in korean society. There are so many strict behaviour patterns according to age or authority that people here are forced to observe.

4. The low avoidance and risk thing is Koreans inflexibility to-wards change, and the need for maintaining the status quo. Foreigners are seen as a threat to The korean propensity for maintaining things they way they are regardless of wether a change is beneficial or not.

Thought the criteria were very interesting, but am wondering what part of being Korean makes them collectivistic. I know that iff they weren't so colectivistic old Park Chungn Hee couldn't have mobilized the people to create the Korean economic miracle, and all the rest of it.

[Paji eh Wong]

That's an interesting post. I don't completely understand points #3 and #4. Can you post the original article, or include some more search criteria?

I tend to look at different cultures in terms of trust and accountability. Generally, we all come from high trust, high accountability cultures, which Korea ain't. I think it's one big reason why living in Korea can be such a shock.

[Ilsanman]

I don't buy this 'Korean culture' crap anymore. It's their excuse for treating others like crap, and for hating foreigners for having a potentially better like than them, and many other things.

I don't hate an African man who immigrates to my home country to become a doctor and get paid a lot of money. Since I never went to medical school, I know I don't qualify for their job. Just an example.

[Homer]

Ilsanman,

I think this assumption that Koreans "hate" foreigners is greatly exagerated.
Some might of course.

As for being jealous of of the foreigner because he has a better potential life then them...that sees ill founded as it depends on too many things.

Perhaps the cutlure here cultivates a annoying form of xenophobia but its not hate or an all pervaiding jealousy.

[Ilsanman]

Some of the atttitudes I have experienced here are on par with what I would expect in the ghettos of my hometown, or if I was a tourist in Iraq. Hatred for something as simple as skin colour is ridiculous. I was born this way. I know, white people in general have the best lives, but I didn't choose to be like this.

Also, their willingness to blatantly lie in your face. All to common. Hagwon owners and others too.

[Homer]

Ilsanman...come on this is ridiculous:

[kiwiboy_nz_99]

[Homer]

Kiwi...as always you make statements that invalidate themselves...well done!

This time you did so in the very first words of your post...its a personal record even for you (insert canned applause)

[Ilsanman]

My skin colour didn't get me my job. My language did. If it's my skin colour, why don't they hire more Russians at hagwons?

Yes they do lie more. You're just an apologist. Hagwon owners are a different brand. They lie 1000088009890787 more times than the average person, but even the average person lies a lot here, especially to a foreigner.

Take this example, about the so called 'hard working' Korean people.

I was sent to Yeouido to fetch some books for my hagwon. At the place, I asked for a receipt. He said it was impossible. Later, my boss phoned and asked why we couldn't get a receipt. He got one sent in the mail the same day.

In case you will say this, I asked for the receipt in Korean, and he understood me.

[Homer]

[caniff]

Homer: 'Sarcasm' You employ it, but can you detect it from other sources? I mean in regards to when you defend yourself from other posts responding to you.

As a lawyer you'd freakin be eaten alive (I know), but don't worry (I'm sure you don't, because you've likely convinced yourself that everything is wonderful). You can still blabber all day to the uninterested masses. Uninterested masses, if your style is anything close to that which you employ here. BTW, I will blabber to apparently enthusiastic masses until my departure to the real world and a truly professional job. Don't argue education either, as I beat your holy MA.

Why didn't you momma give you enough love?

Mine did, so I share it with the deserving. Try to understand your fishbowl, chooch, and maybe someday you'll swim out. HWAIGHTING!!

[caniff]

Okay, Homer. A little strong. I also want to pre-empt any momma jokes. Just try to understand that others have legitimate viewpoints. We all have good and bad days.

Today sucked.

[caniff]

God, I inadvertantly left myself wide open on that one. NOT HOW I MEANT IT!!

[Homer]

I agree caniff...we all have our good and bad days.

I can indeed detect sarcasm in others...I just don't appreciate low grade sarcasm.

I also do not care too much for sweeping generalisations....especially those that indict an entire group based on evidence that would not convict a fly for eating dung.

As for being a lawyer...no worries there as I never had any interest for that profession.

Now you talk about missconceptions...when did I ever say I thought everything was wonderful here or anywhere?

Answer: never said so.


Now on to the crux of your post

[Mosley]

The "they treat me badly because I'm white" thing cuts both ways. Simply because I'm an English-speaking Caucasian I get both positive & negative "special treatment" here. In almost all cases, it's undeserved. The fact is, though, by the time that general attitude changes we'll all be pushing up daisies(geez, that's an old fogey expression, isn't it?).