Korean Job Discussion Forums

[SweetBear]

I've been in a couple of situations recently where I really felt the need to just reach out and hug someone. Some people have been extraordinarily (sp) good to me, but when the time came and I advanced , their body language seemed to say " I'm not comfortable".
Should I Just do it ?

[Randall Flagg]

Hmmm....

I say do it. If they are replused by hugging they will let you know not to do it again. But most people would just accept the hug. Gauge their response to determine whether you should ever do it again.

As for me, I like hugs. Everyday I fill my hug quota by starting each kindy class with a round of hugs. I get to class and the kids are lined up waiting. Its great.

But the weekends are kind of lonely

[SweetBear]

Yeah, it's so easy with kids, but I've found Korean adults to be very kind ( if disorganized) during a crises. Very caring people I'd say, you just wanna squeeze them sometimes!
Sorry about your weekends

[Little Laura]

I've seen an interesting dynamic in these cross-cultural hugs: My Korean adult friends take the hugs even though their body language confesses it's a little out of their element for them, yet I sense from the ones I'm close to that their hearts actually enjoy it, and I appreciate their willingness to have an awkward hug (for them) because they do care and so are willing to extend themselve. I enjoy these inept, awkward hugs as much big, rocking satisfying ones from good friends of the same culture.

[little mixed girl]

if you're close to the person i'd say go for it.
if they are confused just explain it to them.

heck, when i was leaving korea, a handshake turned into a hug with a korean. and he was the one that initiated it, so...go for it?

[Ya-ta Boy]

Go for it. Absolutely.

A couple of weeks ago I ran into a former adult student on the street. He rushed over and gave me a big hug. It was nice.