Korean Job Discussion Forums

[danniedoodles]

so I have been wondering about this question for awhile and afraid to ask it here because people can get quite testy on these forums, I've noticed. but - I have read that Korean children and Koreans in general ask personal questions and I'm wondering if the question of religion comes up and how tolerant (or not) Koreans typically are of the non-believing types. I don't want to offend anyone and I guess I just want to be prepared for the types of reactions I might encounter. not that most people here in the states have a positive reaction either - I just have no idea if this is a subject I am going to encounter or not and I want to be somewhat informed. also I post this under the job category because I am specifically concerned with this topic as it relates to a work setting.

[tardisrider]

Some people will ask. Very few will actually care about the answer.

Korea has a large number of people who consider themselves to be religious as well as a large number of people who don't. Either way it's no big deal for most people.

There will always be some people who get bent out of shape for one reason or another; that has nothing to do with Korea.

[Lucas]

[John Stamos jr.]

[Lucas]

[le-paul]

In my experience people are usually more interested in your love life and how old you are.
Like the other poster said, people dont seem to be offended by your religious preferences (even if they do ask...). Most Koreans are usually Christian or Buddhist, so there's an expectation that you'll say you're not a follower of one or the other anyway.

[John Stamos jr.]

Religious people must be lazy because they've never visited me at my current place. Too lazy to walk up the hill near Pretend that arrow is pointing the other direction and at my 'location'.

[EZE]

Don't accept any materials from them. Last year, I expressed to them that I wasn't interested, but they insisted I take some reading material. Just wanting them to leave, I took it and they left. A few weeks later, my girlfriend at the time was alone at my apartment and a guy from their church apparently was knocking on my door and ringing the doorbell and saying my name. She told him I wasn't there and to come back later, but he was persistent and kept playing with the doorknob, saying he knew I was there and just wanted the booklet back. She begged him to leave. He did that for over a half hour. I'm glad for her safety that she didn't open the door. I doubt he was being that persistent over a cheap pamphlet. He was from the "Heavenly Mother" gang in Anyang.

[John Stamos jr.]

[Squire]

I've always told other teachers I don't believe in any god and I think it's been alright. Even with very zealous types I don't believe it has hurt our relationship at all. I've never had a student ask

[Scorpion]

"Where you from? What your jab?" Why must every encounter with a Korean start with these questions. I just tell them I'm from the moon, and my job is none of their business. I can endure personal questions from children, but from adults its just plain rude. And given the media-driven demonization of English teachers in Korea, your answers will be used to judge you. Personally I avoid any communication with Korean strangers if I can avoid it. Someone tries to talk to me on the subway I pretend that I'm from Russia and don't speak English. I don't care if they notice that I'm reading a book in English, and answer my cellphone with "Hey Dave, how's it going." I just don't enjoy talking to Korea strangers. Same old questions every single time.

A buddy of mine has a list of answers he keeps in his coat pocket. When some Korean starts to talk to him he just pulls out the paper and hands it to him. "I know what you are going to ask. Here's the answers in advance....Yes, I like kimchi....Yes, K-pop rocks the world....Yes, I've heard of Dokdo....I've been here five years....My favorite Korean food is bibimbap....No, I'm not married....Yes, I have a Korean girlfriend....I'm thirty seven years old...etc. etc.

Same, same, same. I couldn't be bothered anymore.

[John Stamos jr.]

I love talking with strangers. And I love it when someone initiates contact with me on the subway or bus here (because it's a rarity). It gives me a good feeling inside when someone reaches out like that, even if they're trying to make me believe in magic. If that was their purpose, you can twist their head up pretty good with questions about dinosaurs and such.

[EZE]

[PREEST]

While korea is considered a 'christian' country, many koreans don't seem to care about or know much about it. I think it is more of a personal thing to many Koreans. I have never really been asked if I am religious or not (though I would be happy to tell anyone I am not a man of faith). I wouldn't expect to be asked about religion but like anywhere it is upto your descretion if you want to answer such questions.

I will say, however, that the religious door knockers in Korea are some of the worst and most annoying and won't take no for an answer many a time!

[schwa]

Couple times a year a student might ask me if I have a religion. Simple curiosity, not a loaded question. Answering "no" is fine.

Last year a couple elementary students were having a debate in the playground.
"Yaesu is number one!"
"No, Bucha-nim is!"
"Schwa-teacher, what do you think?"
"I'm God."
High-fives all around.