Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Halcyon Chimera]

This is going to sound silly, but I assure you that my question is legitimate (IMO). I've caught a lot of flack over the years for my being vertically challenged/short. I am 5'2 and a 26 year old man. Now, kids here (my students) love to comment on it and say extremely disrespectful things in regard to it. Now, I am as thick skinned as they come, so it doesn't really hurt my feelings, but it gets irritating over a span of 26 years. How will my height be perceived in Korea by both professional acquaintences and the Korean youth? Will it be an issue? Kids here have literally told me that they don't think they have to listen to me cause I am short.
Just wondering

[chrisinkorea2011]

Yeah you are gonna get it a lot regardless. Your skin will have to get even thicker because of the BS but it happens. You can scold them or make them do what I do. I make them put their hands on their head, and if they are being really bad stand up. lol doesnt always work but i do other things too, like make them do homework or write. REally depends on you BUT dont let it go on much more, make examples of some kids or something so they know who is in charge

[chrisinkorea2011]

as far as businessmen and the matter, it doesnt matter as much as your personality and ability to joke and take it and give it as well. My aunt(korean side) and her entire family are short, im talking like 5'1'' to 5'4'' (this includes my cousins!) but her and my uncle own 5 buildings, my uncle gets UTMOST respect at his job and isnt afraid to joke about his own height too.

[Halcyon Chimera]

Thanks. That is another question of mine. What avenues of discipline are available in South Korea? Or does it just depend on the school? Is corporal punishment still around?? I know in the states, it's been just about outlawed, unfortunately. If it's anything like the US, teachers' hands will be tied for the most part in regard to disciplinary actions they can take.

I was in the military for years. I can command respect regardless of my stature, but I want to have REAL consequences for misbehavior and disrespect, not this "slap on the wrist and send them on their way" crap

[chrisinkorea2011]

[Zyzyfer]

Umm...corporal punishment is illegal in Korea now, I think.

Real consequences are great and the American school system has fast become a joke but corporal punishment is not the way to solve that. If you want to beat the crap out of bad kids please don't become an ESL teacher.

[jvalmer]

[Halcyon Chimera]

[Zyzyfer]

Okay, let me rephrase myself. I don't believe that using corporal punishment is an effective way to punish students.

[Underwaterbob]

Corporal punishment is immediately effective, but its effects do not last. It doesn't solve any of the problems that may have been causing the bad behavior in the first place. It'll shut your students up, but it won't make them any better students.

Unfortunately, more effective and less violent means of punishment require more effort and time from the teacher that could be better spent elsewhere. Sometimes, corporal punishment just might be the most efficient means of punishment, whether or not it's any good. This is a product of now nearly ubiquitous overcrowded classrooms and overworked teachers.

I don't support nor practice corporal punishment, but I certainly can't argue against it's efficiency in certain cases.

[fermentation]

[weso1]

There was a thing going around a year or so ago that guys under 180cm (5'10'') we're "losers" according to Korean girls.

So yeah, they're going to point it out and make an issue of it. If you're chubby, it'll just be that much worse. As foreigners, we're supposed to fill the stereotype of all being tall with blonde hair and blue eyes. If you don't fit that, they'll mention it.

I get attention from girls for being "tall" according to them. I'm 6' flat (183cm). Back home, I think that's about average.

[fermentation]

[chrisinkorea2011]

[Zyzyfer]