Korean Job Discussion Forums

Barking Mad Lord Snapcase · Joined: 04 Nov 2003

This question goes out to everyone, but especially to those veterans who believe they have the divine right to criticise newbies.

If this forum is a microcosm of the developed world, then does that make South Korea a newbie? Would the seasoned veterans be North America and Western Europe, as well as (to a lesser extent, historically speaking) Japan, Australia and New Zealand? And if this analogy is appropriate, then does that make it appropriate to judge the activities of ROK the same way one judges the messages, problems and pitfalls recounted by newbies on this board?

I am specifically focusing on a nation's cultural attitudes that may determine the way things are done, and how they adapt to (relatively) new activities.

Is it morally acceptable to laugh at, condemn, or openly express exhasperation at the faltering steps of any individual, group or nation that is trying something new?

riverboy · Joined: 03 Jun 2003 Location: Incheon

itaewonguy · Joined: 25 Mar 2003

Daechidong Waygookin · Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 1:22 am Post subject:

Korea is 5000 years old. New Zealand is like 46 years old. Who is the newbie?

korian · Joined: 26 Feb 2004

ho ho ho nz was brought into this world in 1959 hey dw? if i hadn't read any of your previous posts i'd think this was a kooky attempt at humour, but seeing as though i have read your previous posts i'd hazard a guess and say you are halfway serious.

decent enough analogy OP but the biggest difference is the fact that most newbies want to learn and ask questions and listen to answers. korea on the other hand thinks it knows all, puts others down, takes no responsibilty for its ignorance and tries to tell people how good and great it is.

VanIslander · Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 1:49 am Post subject:

Equating a newbie (first-time ESLer) with a newly developed country (Korea)... hmmm... is it to align oneself with those others who've suffered the criticisms of the ultra-critical longterm Korean ESLers?

Not so needed around here anymore. Most of the disguntled oldtimers have flown off to another Korean ESL forum. Dave's is more newbie friendly than ever. And that's a good thing. We're all in the same boat, even if some stay in the galley and others cling to lifeboats.

Daechidong Waygookin · Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 1:52 am Post subject:

Zyzyfer · Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 2:25 am Post subject:

Zenpickle · Joined: 06 Jan 2004 Location: Anyang -- Bisan

the eye · Joined: 29 Jan 2004

i don't hear vets criticizing noobs here unless they are talking shite about things they know nothing about. it happens in the macrocosm of the world stage too...
korea IS new to being a robust participant with rest of the world, and korea IS laughed at on a world level for it's faux pas. which example do you want?

i can't recall any vets laughing at, or condeming any noob mis-step...not in since 'mankind' was kicked out, anyway.

Sooke · Joined: 12 Jan 2004 Location: korea

Leslie Cheswyck · Joined: 31 May 2003 Location: University of Western Chile

cellphone · Joined: 18 Feb 2004

Pulgasori · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Location: En Route to Daejeon

ferchrist...!

The internet's been awhile for a round now, message boards, chat, IM, blogs....any sort of interactive communication between faceless partners....you'd think people might start to clue in sooner or later!

Right now I play the role of message board stalker.
I don't post because, quite frankly, I'd have very little to add to a conversation about the intricacies of ajummas, the nightlife in Itaewon, or how to handle a class full of screeming tots.
I know my role, and am more than happy to play it. In 6+ months I've probably read the majority of the threads started in the teaching forum, and a good chunk of the general discussion forum....I want to read every take on living/teaching in SK, regardless of the source.

But the most critical bits of information I usually pick up during Q&A threads provoked by newbies. For every random aside comment, there's always a very sound, detailed answer, even if that same question's been posed 20 times in the last 6 months. When someone posts their contract essentially asking for the 'free consultation', someone usually replies, and in a timely manner. They don't have to...they don't stand to gain from it, they don't know you, (maybe they can relate to you though), yet they answer you...and hopefully when my time comes to go for a contract this June, I'll have picked up enough to comb over the contracts for displeasing features myself, without the aid of the experts.

Hmmm, getting back to the OP: Sure, it's fine to laugh, condemn, etc, the green, as long as there's someone else within the community willing to spare their own time to 'pick up the slack'. Fortunatly, (and I think I could have summed up my entire opinion right here) Dave's currently has an abnormally high ratio of slack picker uppers to Greenie condemners.

Barking Mad Lord Snapcase · Joined: 04 Nov 2003