Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Senior]

Does anyone else get this from their co-teachers? The overwhelming peer pressure to eat watermelon or what ever snack item is on offer? It's kind of insane. Like they can't fathom the notion that you don't want any. I've had three teachers offer it to me, 30 seconds apart, like it is the greatest treasure on Earth. They even saw the other teachers offer it to me, like I didn't hear the first two people. Like "OMFG water melon! You better get some because this is the last watermelon on in existence!" The child like glee in their faces when they say "Senior teacher, whatuh mell ohn!", would be creepy if it wasn't so irritating.

Rant over.

[InDaGu]

I know exactly what you mean. I'm actually allergic to all citrus fruit, and it still took me over a month of explaining that before they stopped offering.

[pkang0202]

[Senior]

I'm particularly averse to this because I have terrible, scarring childhood memories of my grandmother doing the exact same thing. She really guilted, emotionally blackmailed and bullied me into eating really shitty food. She had/has a passive aggressive style of cooking. Last time I was there she cooked scrambled eggs in the microwave. Why the f#%k would you do that? And she is totally doing it on purpose. No one is that shit at cooking.

Just got offered watermelon again. FFUUUUUUU...... I'm going insane. Maybe I need counseling for my being offered food issues.

[Senior]

[Patrick Bateman]

[NYC_Gal]

"Wow thanks!"

Then put it down and say you'll eat it later. Do as you please with it (eat, toss it, or give it to someone else).

Once in a while, bring in some oranges or some other snack and share with them.

Yeah, it's very "Jewish grandma" (EAT something! You're all skin and bones!) but it's easy enough to deal with. It's one of the nicest things about school here.

[annuayim]

[ippy]

it happens to korean teachers too. Theres two teachers at my school who seem absolutely insistent that you MUST eat something if theyre snacking on food. Its kind of endearing, but you can see some of the korean teachers pretend not to hear them, or after the third attempt eventually just say "ffs! okay, screw it" grab the food, water cooler chat for a bit (thats definitely the part i truly hate, why do they physically need to be there standing around it?), and then get back to what they were doing. The teacher head guy is particularly annoyed by the antics when hes obviously very busy.

Its just one of those things that you learn to not refuse, grab a piece, smile at the teachers surrounding you, stay for a designated period of time, then sod off at the first convenient lull. Better that than get into the "maybe he doesnt understand, il try and ask him again... hmmm, does he know im talking to him, i should probably grab his shoulder so he knows" 2 or 3 minute stand off. Just pick it up, smile, say thank you and carry on with what it was you were doing. "Path of least resistance" and all that.

[toby99]

If they offered to share something else, like a nacho bell grande or beef supreme chalupa from TB, i think myself and many other posters wouldn't be quite so annoyed.

[chellovek]

Yeah it happens to me too, Seenykins. I don't mind the fruit, it tastes nice and it is healthy.

However, I cannot abide those awful, chewy, tasteless rice cakes. There are other chewy monstrosities too that are green and are made with the aid of seaweed or something. Or that impossible to chew shrimp. Having said that, I'm under a cloud in the office of late, so I don't really get offered much of anything

[nomad-ish]

90% of the time i just take whatever food is offered. 5% i'm in a rush so i don't, and then the last 5% i really do want to eat it, but i say i'm not feeling well so i can garner sympathy and perhaps be told to take a rest.

[balzor]

[balzor]

[Senior]