Korean Job Discussion Forums

[UncleAlex]

I don't mean the food. But what I'm about to relate may shock or amuse you,
or both. This afternoon I decided once again to join a small group of Korean
teachers at their table for lunch. And as I have done umpteen times for the past
seven years, I excused myself from the dinner table because I had finished
first and wanted to go out for a smoke before my afternoon stretch of classes.
Well, when I returned to my desk my supervisor chastised me for having rudely
left the dinner table during lunch while the other teachers were still sitting there
unfinished with theirs. I assured her that I was polite when I left the table by excusing
myself. And I pointed out that in the West it is a polite custom to excuse oneself
rather than just leave without saying a word when leaving the table. In other
words, I wasn't impolite, but simply polite in a culturally different way. Despite,
my reasoning with an apparently well-educated person, I couldn't get her to see
and empathize with my view. She insisted that as long as I am in Korea I must
fully abide by Korean customs. I responded by saying,"Fine. In the future I'll go out
for lunch so that I don't offend anybody again." ( A Korean teacher who was sitting
at another table complained about my alien cafeteria manners - not somebody at
my table.) A few months will pass until that Korean teacher or another one complains
of my permanent absence and unsociable behaviour. Again, I repeat, "Are public
schools really worth it?

[crazylemongirl]

I find it easier to just bring my own lunch. That way I know I'm getting a nutrious lunch that I can eat (school cafe fails on both those counts) and I'm generally able to eat my lunch in peace without having someone complaining about what I'm eating/how I'm eating/waiting for the oldest person to leave.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

You could always eat with the students - that way there's on one above you on the totem pole to offend.

I wonder, is there something that's bothering the Korean staff that's giving them cause to give you unnecessary grief? Perhaps a bringing a bag of oranges tomorrow for the staff room would help establish more feelings of uri amongst you and them?

I've excused myself from the teachers' table a number of times with no foul looks. I've also sat there waiting for a KT to finish who's motioned to me go ahead and leave if you're done. It sounds like a need to complain about nothing to me.

[inspector gadget]

I sympathize with you in this situation, I too had a similar experience but it was because I had to take a leak in the worst way. I didn't get a talking to from anyone but my english co teacher mentioned to me later that I should not be the first to leave.

This month a decided to say no to the cafeteria and I have been going home for lunch. I get to eat what I want and its a nice break getting away from the screamming middle school girls and the teachers as well.

Not sure what I will do in April but likely continue the home routine.

Uncle Alex,

you ask the question are public schools really worth it?

Good question and one that I am unsure of.

My first year was at a really awesome hogwan, I had no complaints at all. This time a wanted to try a public school gig and so far its been good but the jury is still out.

[laogaiguk]

I never have these problems. Also, people get up and leave the cafeteria table all the time. Next time maybe say "Mashike tuseyo!" Maybe that will help. Funny, my cafeteria is the exact opposite. People will come and leave as needed and when finished???

It's not a Korean thing, just a "Your school" thing I guess. Tell them that.

[antoniothegreat]

at my school, it seems that it is only important if you came with those same people. you should leave with the people you came with. but they are very sympathetic towards cultural differences, and when i leave i just smile and say bye, no one cares.

[SPINOZA]

Tell them that it certainly doesn't appear to be a "Korean custom" at my public school (PM as to which PS if necessary). I always finish first (a) because I'm always very hungry and eat it quite quickly, (b) after teaching in the morning I just want to be left alone in peace and quiet, (c) I wanna take a smoke and a cup of tea. Consequently, I always excuse myself with a "enjoy the rest of your lunch, I gotta prepare for class".

I wouldn't look at this incident as a 'public school' issue. Just as back home there are morons in one work place and great people in another, same applies to Korea and Koreans, one public school and another.

[xtchr]

How did you manage to finish eating before a Korean did? The Korean teachers generally wolf down their food like it's the end of a famine.

[cornie_man]

At my school, they never just excuse themselves and wander off. It seems to be the custom to eat, finish and wait for the next joker to do the same. Really, what's wrong with waiting?

[Yu_Bum_suk]

[UncleAlex]

I agree with Yu Bum Suk that in some cases Korean teachers complain about
some trivial thing because there is some other thing bothering them about a foreign
teacher. But in my case, it was just an isolated incident or an exaggeration
on the part of my supervisor who is just a nagging busybody. She has tended
to blow a lot of other matters way out of proportion. Actually, I have a good
rapport with my co-teachers and an excellent one with my students. This is my
second year at the same high school, and many teachers have said that they
are glad to see me back. On two occasions this semester I may have unknowingly
pierced the cultural armour of a couple of well-insulated individuals. Korean
customs can be very confusing at times, considering the staff simply drift away
one by one or two by two from the dinner table at a restaurant during a school
dinner party.

[thursdays child]

Timing and position is important too...

If possible pick a table where the teachers are either fast eaters or are nearly finished and then excuse them.

I often stall in the dinner line to time getting a good position at the most convinient table!

[schwa]

I eat once a week in a school cafeteria & I've never noticed any leaving protocol. Its a country school with only 60 kids & the students & staff all sit & eat intermingled, very casual. I'm impressed how unshy some of the kids are about sitting next to me, politely & respectfully, trying out their small english. This school goes out of its way to make me feel welcome. Like my school last year, this one also observes vegetarian mondays to accommodate me -- how nice is that? Great cook too.

Non-issue if I finish & leave first, middle, or last.

[jacl]

Your supervisor is a social retard. The only answer for this person is "Gee that's too bad".

Supervisor? What's that?

[TheUrbanMyth]

And I third that.