Korean Job Discussion Forums

[antoniothegreat]

Just a random thought, some of my teachers talk to me as they would a Korean teacher, with a high level politeness and courtesy. For example, if they see me walking they ask "��� ������?" (where are you going)

Others do not use yo-��. so they ask "��� ��?" (not polite) I don't know if they use this because they think of us as friends and it is not needed, or if they think because I am not Korean I do not deserve a "��."

When I speak to them in my limited Korean, I always use "yo" so they are not simply doing what I do.

What about everyone else? and do you care? sometimes i dont care, but on days I am upset over something Korean, this bothers me a little.

I have thought about simply using the non-polite versions to the teachers that do to mw, and seeing what they do. if they get mad then obviously they think they are just superior to me since i am not korean, or if they say nothing then it isnt too big of a deal.

but then there is one teacher that is never polite to any teacher, and everyone hates him.

do you guys care? what do you think?

[Ya-ta Boy]

This is a tricky one.

Be very careful about dropping the 'yo'. If there is an age gap, you could start a major rudeness problem.

My suggestion: ask your co-teacher what is happening. That person is on the spot and can hear/observe the situation and knows the other people involved. Your co-teacher can explain if the teachers dropping the 'yo' are expressing friendliness or rudeness, and can tell you how to respond.

[gypsyfish]

Yo! What up dawg?

(Jezuz, I can't even pull it off when it's written. I'm so from the 'burbs.)

[Jamin]

It is a general rule of thumb that co-workers should use the polite form when addressing another teacher. If a teacher chooses to not use the polite form it is thier signal that they want to be on friendly terms with you. If you are not getting "I want to be your friend" vibe from them and they are not using the polite forms then they are taking liberaties that they shouldn't be taking because you are a foreigner.

This obsersation is based on my own experiences and my wife's who is Korean and is a teacher in an elementary school

[Son Deureo!]

Another possible reason they might be addressing you in banmal is that many Koreans are under the mistaken impression that informal language is somehow easier to understand than formal language. I would be careful about jumping the gun and getting angry, as they might not mean you any disrespect.

I second the advice above, ask your English-speaking co-teachers what they think, and handle it through them calmly and civilly.

[Xerxes]

[tomato]

Hello, Antonio the Great!
Hello, Xerxes!
Hello, Jinju!
Hello, C. W. Emory!
Hello, Cuban Lord!

This is the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth time I have heard of Korean teachers even speaking to foreign teachers in Korean.
How do you do it?

I have worked in six different English schools, and I have yet to meet a Korean teacher who will even say as much as "�ȳ� �ϼ���." If I speak Korean to them, they run to the director and complain that my Korean is difficult to understand.

When a Korean adult speaks English to me, I take that as a sign that I am a perennial infant. Besides, I don't like backstabbers, just like nobody else likes backstabbers. So naturally, I stay far away from the Korean teachers.

Then what do they do when I stay away from them? After complaining that my Korean is so bad, and after insinuating that I am too unimportant to merit a few minutes of their time, they have the audacity to complain to the director that I'm unfriendly to them!

I would gladly trade places with any one of you any day.

[I_Am_Wrong]

different people, different strokes. Older teachers and younger teachers are very different....you can tell immediately by their style of dress at school. Some might drop the you because you're younger and some might drop it because they consider you a friend.

[jinju]

At my school everyone uses the �� form with me, even the vice princpal and principal, and sometimes they use the highest form as well. All the other teachers do and I do it in return.

[Qinella]

[cwemory]

The older teachers at my school use the "�Դϴ�" form with me. Apparently it's the appropriate form to use in the workplace. This is usually in short sentences and phrases though. Among the younger teachers who allow me to pracitce longer conversation with them, the "�Դϴ�" form is used at first, before switching to the "��" form. �ݸ� between teachers is never used, even with me. If a student uses �ݸ� with me (beacause they think its easier for me), the nearest Korean teacher usually chastises him or her.

Also, gypsyfish, try "Yo dawg, what's up?". It��s slightly less suburban.

[antoniothegreat]

i appreciate all the feedback, the teachers that drop the yo are older men, so in their world, they are of higher status, but i always thought all teachers get a yo, regardless of age.

i like the advice, next time it happens i will ask about it. it really doesnt get to me, but i just wonder if they are disrespecting me, no one wants that.

someone posted how their teachers dont even talk to them, wow... i didnt do anything special, just was polite and always gave them the politically correct answers when i came here (yes, i like korea, kimchi is delicious, korean women are pretty, i am trying to learn korea...)

[antoniothegreat]

i appreciate all the feedback, the teachers that drop the yo are older men, so in their world, they are of higher status, but i always thought all teachers get a yo, regardless of age.

i like the advice, next time it happens i will ask about it. it really doesnt get to me, but i just wonder if they are disrespecting me, no one wants that.

someone posted how their teachers dont even talk to them, wow... i didnt do anything special, just was polite and always gave them the politically correct answers when i came here (yes, i like korea, kimchi is delicious, korean women are pretty, i am trying to learn korea...)

[tomato]

[Neil]