Korean Job Discussion Forums

[lush72]

So I had to take out a few guys who never came to Korea before. I will probably have to do it tonight as well. I can truly say that reading this board helped me last night. All those apologist posts helped me counter some severe critisism of Korea and Koreans. Some was legit- we were sitting next to 7 ladies who were loud, rude and inconsiderate. Screaming, whining, and yelling (totally normal here) was the order of the day and these guys were flabbergasted. They moaned about how rude Koreans are, how dirty Seoul is, you know, the usual things businesspeople moan about their first time here. I think I did a good job of explaining or minimizing most of their complaints, and thats from reading this board. Obviously I cant say, "yeah this place is a hole" or "my company is just as corrupt as the government is!" And thanks to Daves, I didnt have to! Thanks guys!!

[Ody]

i like you lush. you got layers.

[kangnamdragon]

good for you. Part of my job in the real world is being able to understand both cultures and explain them to both cultures.

[Swiss James]

Part of my job in the real world is to act as a buffer between the bizarre and often ridiculous demands of the Koreans, and the people back at home slowly shaking their heads at the latest from those crazy asians.

A little understanding goes a long way I find- glad it's working out for you Lush

[lush72]

I am totally serious, it has helped reading things here. Some of the stuff they cried about was insane, like why cant these people speak better English at the hotel!?! I said that it may have something to do with the fact that we are in KOREA....

Anyway I just talked to some work people- these guys were probably 10% legit moaning and 90% venting because they signed a terrible deal (for them that is) - Anyone who does any sort of trading here should know that the Koreans are fierce negotiators, as it is in every biz book about Korea.

[sparkx]

Great points Lush. I've been in the exact same situation and have also turned to the sacred scripture of Dave's. I flip to H on my mental roll-o-dex and begin quoting Homer when confronted with these complaints. The great thing is that it��s pre-packaged and ready to distribute without me having to actually internalize the dilemma (that��s when frustration sets in).

More times than not I'm entertaining business associates who are here for conferences or training, so they're here with an open mind looking to have a good time. When there's a complaint, its usually 100% justified. When that happens I just turn to them, shrug my shoulders and say, "I know man, its all fucked up."

[Real Reality]

Prepare a pamphlet with relevant information.
Include a nice article like the one below. (No more complaints)

Foreigners Experience Difficulties in Living in Korea
An official in the International Cooperation Division of Seoul City admitted, "The same complaints regarding visas, transportation, education, and environment are raised every year without being solved, due to the lack of cooperation from government agencies involved and their passive attitudes."
http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?biid=2004070522448

Remember to smile frequently.

This is Korea. Dynamic Korea: Hub of Asia

[Swiss James]

[Dr. Buck]

Lush,
What you need to do is feed the foreign negotiating team with information that concerns the deal they were brokering and have them pay you a sweet kickback.

It's the Korean way, all the way. I wouldn't expect anything less. Might as well capitalize on your unique position and profit from it. Don't play the part of an Uncle Tom/Kim apologist--you're way to cool and smart for that.

[Blind Willie]

[Homer]

Good for you Lush...

I also have to deal with both cultures as I do quite a bit of consulting on the side for Canadian (and sometimes American) companies wishing to do business here.

Sparx, the pre-packaged stuff works well doesn't it?

[kangnamdragon]

I wonder if lush quoted Homer.......

[Homer]

Didn't even know I was being quoted...

[kangnamdragon]

[posco's trumpet]

Dupe, naif or rube?