Korean Job Discussion Forums

kangnamdragon · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Kangnam, Seoul, Korea

It is part of Korean culture to greet the boss when you see him even if he does not respond. I sometimes get a grunt or nothing from my boss, but I know he is busy, yet knows I greeted him.

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Don't take it personally. Just apologize that you haven't been saying, "hi" enough lately, and try to go out of your way to "greet" them every day.

We have to greet the Vice Principal at school. I don't mind. She's a nice lady, and frankly, reminds me a lot of my mother. I just look for her when I walk in the room and give her a smile and a polite little bow if she's far away, or sometimes go up to say "hi" and chat.

jajdude · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

Tell him you are not Korean. So you did not know it was necessary to bow and greet a superior every time you see him.

If your boss has no clue about about western behavior, he's an idiot and should not run an English school.

SuperFly · Joined: 09 Jul 2003 Location: In the doghouse

Shoot him.... Shoot him in the head. Can you live with it? that son-of-a-beeper walkin' around breathin' the same air as you? And gettin' away with it every day. Are you haunted? You wanna get unhaunted? Razz

Son Deureo! · Joined: 30 Apr 2003

There's some really great advice in this thread. I think the OP should follow all of it.

hellofaniceguy · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: On your computer screen!

Who says you have to go out of your way to greet the man? Does he go out of his way to greet you? I think not!
If you both cross each other's path...of course saying hello is the thing to do.
But this business of bowing like chickens is old! Each bows a few times...the other bows a few times and the first person bows again! I get dizzy watching them! Yeah yeah...culture. But not because someone wants to be high and mighty and wants you to bow.
I remember the last hakwon I was at....KT's would all come in and go to the directors office....stand in the doorway and bow a few times. Never once did I do it or even say hello unless our paths crossed.
Just be yourself and don't worry about it. Be nice enough..respectful...but don't have to go out of your way!

JacktheCat · Joined: 08 May 2004

A little head bow and acknowledgement are not that hard to do.

When in Korea, do as the Koreans do.

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

when you see him say 'konichiwa Park san' Laughing

Badmojo · Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2005 2:51 am Post subject:

This is a serious issue here. To me, it's stupid, but it's not my country.

My last a-hole owner got very upset when I didn't say hello to him at the start of my time there. Nevermind that I didn't know him from Adam, but in his mind, that was beside the point.

My advice? If you don't like him, don't say hello. F him.

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

Is your job tied to getting the TESOL cert you mentioned in another thread?

By this, I mean will your boss's recomendations be a factor in getting your cert, or is the job completely separate from the course?

If the boss's opinion does count for your certificate, I'd be very careful. You may find that you paid all that money and then don't get the certificate and possibly get fired to boot. Shocked

I'm not saying I agree with it, but it sounds like your boss is power tripping. (as many wonjongnims do) He may be looking for excuses to deny you your certificate, so he can say something like, "He had a bad attitude right from the start", and he may site "refusal to bow" as evidence.
Mad

Is this the TESOL course that was talked about on EFL-Law by any chance?
The one offered by Busan University of Foreign Studies?

I hope not, for your sake.

andrew · Joined: 30 Jan 2003

Dawn · Joined: 06 Mar 2004

Something's not adding up with the information they're giving you. You say you already have a master's in TESOL? You shouldn't need a TESOL certificate in addition to a master's to get a uni job. I've got just a straight M.Ed. in English and have turned down three unsolicited uni job offers in the past two years. Sounds like one or both of these guys may be feeding you a line to separate you from your money.

andrew · Joined: 30 Jan 2003

VanIslander · Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2005 7:39 am Post subject:

I always say hi and bye to everyone at work whether they be the boss or co-workers.

I have in every job I've ever worked. It just seems like a natural courtesy to me.

(Independent of whether the person responds!)

But I grew up mostly in a small town and in a family which did such things regularly.

I recommend it in general. I didn't realize it's expected in Korea.

Consider it a lesson learned and turn it into a positive experience.

G'mornin', good afternoon and g'night. Very Happy