Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Jamin]

In your time in Korea, what aspects of the culture, life style, philosophy have you come to appreciate?

Please, the intent of this question is start a discussion regarding the positive aspects of the country and not to bring up those things we dislike.

For example, I appreciate the the traditional way Koreans respect the members of thier family who had passed away. There is something gratifying about going to the grave and with your own hands and labour clearing away the grass and trees. I also find the custom of bowing at the grave a pleasant way to both pay respects and rekindle memories of the deceased. I think we in the West too quickly forget the dead. We put put them in giant corpse warehouses (graveyards) which we rarely visit and give little thought to after the services.

It is sad that with the rise of Christianity that the Confucist customs are no longer as common as they once were.

[TheUrbanMyth]

[ChimpumCallao]

[mindmetoo]

I like parents aren't paranoid their kids are going to be kidnapped.

[captain kirk]

The ceramics. Korea's not alone in that. Still they've got some good old ceramics. And the ancient history with its forts, castles and so on and so forth which can be seen today.

There's lots I don't like about Korean culture but what I do like is the non-confrontational/don't sweat the small stuff. Never see anyone getting into a flap during daylight hours and when alcohol's not involved. Sure there are pointed discussions, deceptions, and whatever replaces the Western confrontation thing we've got. But it's nice to see people controlling their negative feelings. Locking them up. Yes that means controlling the positive feelings, too. But whatever.

[djsmnc]

I like their noses and the funny sounds they make when they are angry. Don't pour water on Koreans, and whatever you do, don't feed them after midnight.

[On the other hand]

[On the other hand]

[Emu Bitter]

Nothing, it's preoccupied with class. The women are spoilt princesses & the men are appallingly effete.

[Alan_Partridge]

Nice to see some positive threads...Personally like a bit of everything above; enjoy walking the streets without looking over my shoulder, love the occasional random friendliness (occasional though it might be!!)
And I'm a big fan of not understanding what's going on around me (in fact, I was just talking about this with a few friends) it basically means you have to seek out info so you're not bombarded with crap (who's hot, who's not etc)...and stuff....(must stop posting when not sober, but you get the idea)

HAPPY CHUSEOK

[Emu Bitter]

Mate, you sound like an over-idealistic newbie faggott.

[Alan_Partridge]

really...how long do you have to be here before you shed your "newbie" status?

[Emu Bitter]

Your mellow answer has melllowed me out.
It depends on where you are.
It's a prettty decent country, but never, ever trust your employer.
I'm a six year vet, don't particuarly care for the place, but have done well, mainly cos I found early that you need to push Western culture on them when it comes to contracts.
A signed contract is not a starting point as they'd like you to believe & some effete apologists would also like you to believe.

[Alan_Partridge]

don't get me wrong, i've been here a few years myself and don't consider myself a "newbie"...it's just that i've been wallowing in a bit of personal negativity myself recently, and it's nice to see a bit of positive thinking on this board every now and again (if only because i find myself agreeing with negative comments more and more these days )
still and all, enjoy your little holiday all!!

[Alan_Partridge]

oh, and about not trusting your employer....lesson learned the hard way...
(chuseok gifts for everyone but western teachers at my school today...i work at a happy place...)