Korean Job Discussion Forums

[leeroy12]

Hey there teachers in Korea

Technically, I don't teach in ROK - but I'm here in London with some Korean students, and thought I could use some insight from those closer to the culture...

My classes have a large mix of nationalities - and while (on the whole) they all get on, the Koreans seem to be by far the least social. Not with each-other you understand, but with other nationalities.

I learnt to stop asking about personal opinions a long time ago, and "how was your weekend?" and all questions of that ilk have long since been relegated to the recycle bin.

(A cynic might even argue that they don't have opinions, and that compared to us westerners they have limited cognitive capacities - outside of stating the fucking obvious and playing with phones.)

So my question is this... Evidently, these guys talk. But the only time they show genuine interest in communication is when they are chatting, at high speed, in Korean (anyong ha se yo!), with each other. What the hell do they talk about? I've never been to Korea, but have mastered "Cho le! Hangu-ma hane. Hanguma Haji-ma!" (spelling's probably completely off, but still, I'm told I have a very realistic Korean accent).

Any ideas on what turns Koreans on as topics of conversation? What are they comfortable communicating about?

PS. Yes, I'm generalising here. They're not all like that!

[sakamuras]

Perhaps they simply don't like the way you look....

[makushi]

After spending four years in Asia my brother returned to the US to finish his undergrad degree and then went on to graduate school at Thunderbird.

He asked me about this several times...."Why is that whenever we go to a party with Asians, the Chinese are friendly, the Japanese are hip and cool, and the Koreans sooooo stand offish?

IMHO they are deeply insecure and historically suspicious of others, even other Koreans.

One more observation: A Korean friend was travelling in Thailand and chatting with some Europeans. A group of Koreans passed by and started staring at her. On of the men came over to her and said in Korean "don't forget the Korean spirit!"

Freakin strange thing to be a Korean.

[Trinny]

I guess they are just interested in chatting with each other. They've got to be separated out so there is no other Korean around and they are more open to the British culture. It is a path of least resistance. More work and effort to talk to somebody else in English.

[Mashimaro]

[rapier]

They're too afraid/embarrassed to talk about real or personal things, so their conversation is centred around making fun of what they see, or other people. Hence all the silly giggles etc. Its hard to find a good topic to engage them...

[William Beckerson]

[Bubbliee]

I would say that WB is right. I have taught several Korean students here in Canada over the past two years and they really do loosen up when you drink with them. I usually don't have much of a problem getting them to loosen up anyway as I find them amazingly social. Once you go drinking with them, watch out! They seem to really open up then and start to really consider you a friend. One thing you should think about though is your tolerance to alcohol. I am an extremely cheap drunk and they have all been dissapointed in me because of it. I always here"oh I am so disapointed, you are so weak!" Then it just becomes the joke with all, to see how fast they can get teacher drunk! Good Luck!

[Harpeau]

My uni students really enjoy talking about movies, music, Soccer (footie), Japanese animation & video games.

Cheers,
Harpeau