Korean Job Discussion Forums

peppermint · Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2004 5:06 am Post subject: money vs culture

Related to the bitter waygook thread:

It seems to be coming down to a battle between those here for the money (let's call them mercenaries) and those here for the culture ( let's call them naive idealists)

Don't get angry about the labels. Whichever side of the battle you're on, you know that's how you see the others. Wink

My question- why does it have to be one or the other, and aren't there areas in between? Why does it become a moral issue for so many?

VanIslander · Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2004 5:21 am Post subject:

Money grabber or culture soaker?

If I had to choose: I''d say I'm a soaker. I'm not a grabber. I don't need the money, though it sure doesn't hurt. Smile

But many of us aren't here primarily for either the money or the culture.

Maybe I'm a searcher.

Are you a grabber? soaker? searcher?

How would you conceptualize it?

the_beaver · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

peppermint · Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2004 5:36 am Post subject:

At this moment in time, I'm a teacher.

I did the culture thing, but I'm at a point now where the more I learn about Korea, the less I find to like. (sounds horrible but it's true for me)

The thing is, I love my students, and I really enjoy teaching them (okay-
97% of the time I love them Wink

) Korea is a place where I can do that and pay the bills. For now, that's what keeps me here.

djsmnc · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Location: Dave's ESL Cafe

If I were looking for money, I sure wouldn't be here! Then again, if I were really looking for culture by now, I sure wouldn't be here either!

I think it's the smell of freshly eaten garlic that permeates the business suits of half asleep, red-faced ajosshis. Or the sour smell of the side streets in the back roads at 7am as people head out to work with somber faces that betray the excitement of the previous night in downtown Seoul. Whatever it is, it convinced me to come back!

That's why I can't complain...anything that upsets me here is something I put myself into by deciding to hop on the plane over...

Wisco Kid · Joined: 07 Sep 2004 Location: Changwon

Mercenary

For pure culture I'd be in the Himalayas or Southeast Asia.

shawner88 · Joined: 01 Feb 2003

I don't see why you can't fall in between the two? I'm here for money and because I enjoy the culture.

dutchman · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: My backyard

I certainly didn't come here for the money. But I DID stay as long as I have because of the money and will be leaving next year with a lot of money. I don't care what label you put on me because, as already stated, I'm leaving next year with a LOT of money. Very Happy

chinook · Joined: 17 Mar 2004 Location: canada

well, i came to korea because the job came with an appartment.

i also came to experience life in asia, but it was the free place to stay that did it for me. and the one year contract-after a year of temping, i was fed up with uncertainty. i had a year that i need to fill before immigrating to scotland, and so here i am, with my own place and a whole new country and job to explore.

kiwiboy_nz_99 · Joined: 05 Jul 2003 Location: ...Enlightenment...

itaewonguy · Joined: 25 Mar 2003

of course everyone is here for the money!! and while they have the money , then they say ohh im here for the culture!!

but if you were making *beep* all money you wouldnt be saying im here for the culture!!!
PPLLLEEEAAASSEEE!!!!
unless you are here studying martial arts.. or some other arts..
unrelated to work.. then I truely believe 98% of us..
are here for cash 1st.. then other stuff 2nd.. come on be honest people!

Bunnymonster · Joined: 16 Mar 2004 Location: Tokyo

I'm here for the culture/adventure of living in a foreign land (its the first leg of my colour in the bits on the world map where I haven't been yet tour). I'm working in a crappy two-bit hogwon for the money, pure and simple, if I were being paid any less I would have gone already, but my salary is just enough to make me think twice each time some crap takes place..... 5 more months.....

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

I made up my mind to live abroad for a while. I sent out some applications. Offers (for the same work),came in. Some paying $500 a month and some paying $2000 a month, which would you choose?

That explains why I am in Korea rather than Indonesia or Thailand.

Koreabound2004 · Joined: 19 Nov 2003

I agree with Ya-Ta Boy. Why else would people be in Korea? If you wanted to learn culture, why not volunteer or work for peanuts in another country like Thailand(much nicer, but pay is too low, no)? People come here for the cash and free apt, and anything on top(like culture) is a bonus.

peemil · Joined: 09 Feb 2003 Location: Koowoompa