Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ewlandon]

Do you take it? I seem to keep upsetting my students by not taking it.

[Ribena]

Is it good food?

[munybse]

I take it and if it is wrapped either eat it or give it to another teacher. If it is unwrapped I politely take it then put it in the trash after class or with some students I just say no thank you.

[DaHu]

Take it, say you'll eat it on break, and then trash it.

[Ribena]

[metalhead]

Just keep it and give it to good kids in another class. God knows walking into the classroom and saying 'Teacher hungry!' is more prevalent than a 'Hello' or 'How are you?' here.

[PatrickGHBusan]

Depends what it is but the winning approach here is (as stated before) accept the food. Then either eat it, keep it for later or if you dislike it keep it and trash it when the kids are gone.

Thats win-win.

[jrwhite82]

[Gorf]

Just thank them, put it aside, and then trash once you leave. Remember, they're emulating their parents' whole cultural "sharing food is good" thing, so if you don't accept, you'll make them feel isolated and distant. You don't have to eat it, just thank them and then move on.

[HELICIS]

I never take anything that a Korean is holding in their hands. Most of the teachers I work with don't bother to wash their hands as they leave the bathroom and they are adults. I imagine the kids are even worse!

[jvalmer]

If it's packaged take it. Otherwise take it and chuck it out of site of the student.

[northway]

Assuming it's not a really gross student: I'll accept it and eat it later if it's decent (a doughnut or an orange), I'll accept it and swiftly dispose of it if it's something gross (tuna and jam sandwich).

[ewlandon]

It's usually something they are smashing into their mouth between classes or the last bite of a smushed up sandwhich that thair mom made. THey get upset when I dont want their "delicous" food but I tend to get sick working with kids already and there is not even any soap in the hogwon bathroom, i dont want to eat after these kids. They arent gross kids but they are kids.

[Dazed and Confused]

Say "Thanks but I'm on a diet." And then pat your "fat" stomach.
Works like a charm and no one's feelings get hurt.

[Skippy]