Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Ilsanman]

Wednesday: wipe out on the ice, breaking my radius in 2 and cracking my wrist. Not knowing what to do, I decide to tough it out, trek back home to Bucheon on the subway, and my girlfriend will help me.

I get pushed and shoved around a bunch, and from a clear expression of pain in my face and clutching my left arm in a non-moving position, Koreans can't seem to figure out that maybe something is wrong. I was hoping some kind person would yield a seat to me, but no such luck.

Arriving in Bucheon, we wait 15 minutes in the cold as 5 or so empty taxis drive by, and then one stops to pick us up and take us to the hospital.

The doctor did a bunch of x-rays, and twist and bend my arm, causing a lot of pain, and demised that it was broken in 2 places. He recommended I stay overnight in case I suffer from 'compartment syndrome'. I agree.

I go to a hospital room, where the other patient is out at the time. He has a can on his bed for cigarette ashes (?) and that just about makes me puke. Bedtime anyways.

The fucker comes back at 3:30 am with his friends, making a shitload of noise, talking a bunch, and he makes a few comments about the 'non-Korean'. He snores like a jackhammer. I got up and told the nurse I wanted to go home NOW. They offer me a new room if I will stay. I agree.

Thurs.: I am rudely awakened by a shouting lady in the hallway at 6:40 am, and the nurses think it's normal or something. It was a slow day with more xrays and other x-ray type things. They find out my radius is fully fractured and I need an operation or I can't ever turn my left arm again. They suggest doing it tomorrow. I reluctantly agree. I have to fast (no water, too) starting 11 pm.

Fri: The doctor delays my surgery by 4 hours because of administration fuckups by someone else. So does my fasting period get extended. I get the surgery (can't remember a thing, I was zonked out), and suffer in my room for the rest of the day.

Sat.: A slow and boring day, but brightened by some visits from friends. My boss and his wife too.

Sun.: Similar to Saturday, but a little less pain. About 15 needles.

Monday: The bad day. My boss calls, using his undiplomatic mouthpiece, lets me know that I have to come back to work on Wednesday, or there will be trouble. Parents were informed of my situation, but complained that their kid's classes were substituted by a Korean teacher. I fight with her on the phone, and then call my recruiter, and consider calling EFL Law too. Wow, my boss has already called the recruiter!! No surprises here, the 2 faced *beep*.

That night, 2 good friends come to visit, brightening my day, but a new patient comes in to my room. He was ok, but his family, as the Koreans would say, are �ΰ��� ����. They change the channel on the TV without asking, while I'm watching it, twice. They make a shitload of noise, and they order in food for their son with the '�ݽ�' sign on his bed. BTW, �ݽ� means 'fasting'.

After the buttfuck parents left, he was quiet and no problem. I start hacking and coughing, and I feel dizzy. I must have caught something in the last few hours.

Tuesday: I be sure to listen to the doctor well, so he will release me tonight. One of the nurses seemed to have gotten attached to me. She was interested in seeing me study chinese characters, and she was real sweet.

I decide to go up to the computer room for a bit. There are about 8 ajosshis in there. One is smoking, and between them all, they say 'baby dog' in Korean about 30-40 times in a matter of 5 minutes. No jokes here. Like one guy says 'that guy is a baby dog.' The other guys says 'yeah, a real baby baby dog.' And so on. They leave after a bit.


At about 6:30, I get the IV taken out of my arm, and I can go home. The other guy's dad helps me pack. Politeness, or eager to see me go?



In conclusion:

-The health care is pretty good here.
-The doctors and nurses were great, but I wish they'd get the balls to tell patients and guests to follow the rules and be polite.
- Koreans are SOCIALLY RETARTED in every and all situation.

[canuckistan]

The utter lack of understanding and compassion at work when something like that happens can be so depressing. But at least you're out before Christmas. Hope your arm gets back to 100% soon.
Then slug your boss with it.

[itaewonguy]

sad to hear about your week man! that really REALLY totally sucks!

and about your boss!! he came to the hospital probably just to see if you were telling the truth or not!
after he sees you are in serious condition he demands you come to work wednesday!!!! DUDE! tell that MOFO that the DOCTOR!!! has told you you must stay home for 2 weeks!!
or better yet!! QUIT!!!! remember you are GOLD! and if they dont treat you like a star!! pull a prima donna! and leave!!
you will have a new job signed and ready to go in 24 hours!!

goodluck man.. hope you heal well..

[Universalis]

Sorry to hear about your injury, IM.

I've spent some time in the Yonsei emergency ward (kidney stones) and both times they put me in my own private room.

Brian

[mithridates]

I hate hospitals and that reinforces my belief that people still have a wretched attitude towards what health care is supposed to be and a lack of understanding on the effects of one's environment (like smoking, duh) on a person.
Out of curiosity though, how many hanja are you up to?

[cruisemonkey]

I reciently spent 11 days in the hospital... what an experience! It would have been tolerable if I had something to look forward to other than rice, kimchee, seaweed soup, grass clippings and some God-awful squid or fish 'crap' for literally breakfast, lunch and dinner day after day after day....

[periwinkle]

Sorry, IM. Is your arm in a cast? Why'd they do surgery if it was fractured? Just curious. You'll find a better job. Are universities still hiring? Hope you got some fun pain meds...

[Ilsanman]

If I DIDN'T GET SURGERY, i COULd never rotate my arm more than 20 degrees ever again. It was a displaced break, needed a screw.

It's in a sort of cast, and I usually wear a sling with it to ease some pain.

I would have quit and fucked over the school if the situation was favourable. I am almost at the 10 month mark at the school, and also, with my medical bills, I can not afford to quit right now.

Update: One old man shoved my left arm today, and I told him off, called him a ������� ��

In 4 days, 1 seat has been yielded to the injured guy, and it was in a KTF store, not a subway.

Someone hits my elbow while walking by about 3 times a day. The kids think it's a joke, save a few smart ones. Koreans have gotta be the most insensitive fucks around, even while surrounded by xmas stuff.