Korean Job Discussion Forums

rapier · Joined: 16 Feb 2003

We admire what we lack, I suppose...anyhow, I've come to appreciate certain facets of general Korean character that strike me as good:..do you have any to add?

1) Unselfconscious Be it selling stupid things on the subway, ramming to the front of the queue or other things westerners regard as embarrassing or rude, they have no shame.
They act as if nobody is watching, and don't care: they do what they want without much regard to what others think. A good quality, I think.

2)Ambition, drive "You must have a dream" say 9 out of 10 Koreans. Most of them have set goals (however unrealistic) and work towards them without regard to obstacles and possible pitfalls. They go for what they want, even though its usually along the lines of "making more money" and working even longer hours than usual. You want to open a business? Sure, lets open it tomorrow.."don't worry, we'll borrow the money." Not qualified or experienced to do it properly? Who cares? Just blagg it.
Nothing stops them (except reality sometimes). At least they have clear direction, usually.

3)Composure In certain situations, they have an enviable poker face, an outward calmness and controlled demeanour. They hold their cards tight.. can be hard to guess their intentions. Must be a useful trait in life.

zappadelta · Joined: 31 Aug 2004

I really admire your avatar!!

chronicpride · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

I admire their ability to tolerate inconvenience (or at least what we would perceive as inconvenience), which is a stark contract to myself and the avg westerner.

Alias · Joined: 24 Jan 2003

Hard work ethic.

Universalis · Joined: 17 Nov 2003 Location: Seoul

They give a shit about their appearance. Even the poor guys selling crap on the subways are dressed in slacks with a belt and their button-down shirt tucked in.

I admire that...

Brian

VanIslander · Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2005 5:46 am Post subject:

loyalty to friends
cleanliness
respect for other people's pens and pencils (they always return them!)
finger dexterity (at least for counting money)

matthewwoodford · Joined: 01 Oct 2003 Location: Location, location, location.

Stubbornness - can be a good thing.
"Sharingness" - generally willing to share things with others if they live or work together, not drawing lines about what is and isn't theirs the way westerners often do.
Thrift - live on a little and save a lot, a virtue to admire more than emulate as far as I'm concerned.[/b]

Len8 · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Location: Kyungju

They love to sing, and are not in the least self concisious about it. Doesn't matter wether the voice is good or bad all singers are given a rousing support.

They have a lot of patience when things are inconvieniant. Especially when traffic is backed up and they happen to be passengers in a bus. They grit their teeth and bear it, both as a passengers and as a drivers

Their finger dexterity with pens and pencils is excellent too.

adventureman · Joined: 18 Feb 2003

Lack of excessiveness and overindulgence.

An appreciation for astheticly pleasing things, like buddhism, calligraphy and classical music.

Guri Guy · Joined: 07 Sep 2003 Location: Bamboo Island

adventureman · Joined: 18 Feb 2003

kangnam mafioso · Joined: 27 Jan 2003 Location: Teheranno

i like their attitude about food and drink. sharing everything together, over-indulging, pouring each other drinks, etc. food really is enjoyed and dinner can take all night -- kind of like the italians in that respect. the food is very eccentric as well. who would think of eating cow blood soup or squid stir fried with a bunch of red pepper paste??

kangnam mafioso · Joined: 27 Jan 2003 Location: Teheranno

i like their attitude about food and drink. sharing everything together, over-indulging, pouring each other drinks, etc. food really is enjoyed and dinner can take all night -- kind of like the italians in that respect. the food is very eccentric as well. who would think of eating cow blood soup or squid stir fried with a bunch of red pepper paste?? western food is so tame and a bit boring in that regard.

Tiberious aka Sparkles · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: I'm one cool cat!

captain kirk · Joined: 29 Jan 2003

Preserving tradition, respect for elders, ancestors, history. For example, heading off the highway and a tilled valley among little moutains with pines. In the 'middle' is an old house. Maybe 1700's. The courtyard yangban style. Hasn't moved. Old timbers, wattle and mud. And the way the architecture blends in with the fields and seems to sit in a geomantic 'power spot'.
And the way people 'don't blink much'. Don't give a damn much what others think and hurtle about their business.
And the 'communal', 'bee mind' group think thing. Like the neighbourhood is an extended family.