Korean Job Discussion Forums

[TheUrbanMyth]

What do you think? By acting positively and professionally do you think that would make a difference in how Koreans perceive us? At least in the area which we live in? Myself I've noticed a big difference in how most Koreans treat me when I am wearing a tie and suit as opposed to regular clothes. Plus the fact that I don't drink (much) or smoke seems to impress them positively (weirdly enough).

[PolyChronic Time Girl]

I've pretty shy and reserved, so many Koreans(and other foreigners) tell me that they are shocked that I'm American. Kind of annoying about the stereoptypes...not all us Americans are "loud." Also, quite a few Koreans think I'm middle eastern for some reason, so they expect that I can speak perfect Korean (because many of them can), so I feel bad in that respect.

But I go by pretty unnoticed in this country. I don't drink too much and I mostly stayed at home with hubby. I dress up I guess...just kind of boring and shy, I guess

[sheba]

If it were a multicultural country then it wouldnt be such a big deal, but because we are like endagered species here I think we become ambassadors automatically.

[Kimchieluver]

Yes, and we all should get diplomatic immunity.

[SuperFly]

[joe_doufu]

The question doesn't matter because we don't get to choose. To some Koreans we represent our home countries, to others we don't.

[TheUrbanMyth]

[Ya-ta Boy]

For most of our students we are the first foreigner they have ever met. They can't help but form opinions about our home countries based on that. Like it or not, we are ambassadors of a sort. The people who object to that most strongly are generally the ones who are an embarrassment to the human race, not just their home country, and they know it.

[On the other hand]

I personally don't care enough about Canada's international reputation to govern my behaviour according to that standard. Any admirable behaviour on my part is intended to relflect good on me, not anyone else.

Now, if someone judges your homeland by the actions of a few people, it seems to me that the thing to do is to get him to have a more nuanced view of your homeland. But that cuts both ways. Recently a Korean told me that he thought Canada had very little poverty, because when he lived in Edmonton(my hometown) he didn't see much evidence of any. I asked him if he had ever visited a certain neighborhood, and when he said he hadn't, I told him that had he gone there, he would have seen a lot of poverty. This might not give him a better view of Canada, but it will give him a more accurate one.

[Ya-ta Boy]

[On the other hand]

[manlyboy]

We Westerners do like to think of ourselves as rugged individuals, don't we? As if we choose every behavioural trait and personality characteristic we possess, and that we are completely untouched by any social conditioning common to the majority of our compatriots.

Like it or not, none of us are special little snowflakes shaped in a vacuum beyond the unique social forces of our respective nation states. Sure, there's a large variety of sub-cultures, and even a vast array of different types in some countries, but all of those are shaped in some way by an over-arching national culture. They all share the same institutions, resources, laws etc, and consequently a common identity.

We are all to some degree social products of our countries, and as such we are representatives of them by default.

[peppermint]

Nah, people either assume I'm Russian or American, even after I tell them I'm not. I won't go out of my way to create a bad impression, but I don't feel the need to consciously create a good one either.

[Zenpickle]

[ChimpumCallao]