Korean Job Discussion Forums

mateomiguel · Joined: 16 May 2005

I've recently stopped working as an english teacher and started a real job in a corporation, finally cashing in on my Master's degree in Information Technology (it wasn't a waste after all). Today my boss took 3 of us guys out to eat sam-gyep-sal. I was the only foreigner but it was nevertheless an old boys lunch. They're really nice.

Anyways, our boss ordered up a bottle of soju and we went through the whole pouring ritual. He drank the most out of all of us. This would be the first time I've ever drank on the job. In a certain light it could be the strangest experience I've ever had here in this crazy country... my BOSS pouring me hard liquor at 12:15 on a weekday.

Did I mention I like my job?

Smee · Joined: 24 Dec 2004 Location: Jeollanam-do

Beer is a favorite beverage during our weekly school volleyball games.

If I have another week like this past one, I'm gonna have to start participating in that ritual.

Yesterday · Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 1:15 am Post subject:

nothing new......

I always drink soju at lunch with co-workers and I am an elementary teacher.....

DCJames · Joined: 27 Jul 2006

you did the right thing. if you would have refused and taken a high moral stand against drinking on the job, you would have pretty much slapped your boss in the face.

when in korea, do as the more powerful koreans do.

rothkowitz · Joined: 27 Apr 2006

I got onto my 3rd bottle of soju before midday during a school festival.

They fired up the bbq and away we went.No one so much as batted an eyelid,though one guy was annoyed that we were running out because of me.

I wouldn't mind finding a drinking partner at my new school,70 minute lunchbreak so i can easily pop out.I don't think hiding drink at school is quite on though.

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

We had our school festival today. As a treat, we teachers got to eat our cold noodles outside. The tables were lined with canned coffee, mango juice, beer and soju. The students served our noodles to us and brought over bottles of soju or cans of beer from down the line where the women teachers weren't drinking it.

Korea has different rules about drinking on the job and at school.

gang ah jee · Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Location: city of paper

okokok · Joined: 27 Aug 2006

There isn't the same negative vibe with alcohol as there is back home. I like it. In Canada booze is hidden away in liquor stores and such.
Here you can buy a beer on every street corner. It's not 'evil' (that's too strong of a word, but maybe you get my gist).
Nothing wrong with having a pop at lunch. Now if you took it too far, then it becomes a problem.

Helenzhou · Joined: 21 Sep 2006 Location: Ansan Korea

One day we went drinking after class. and one of my student wanted to have sex with me.

rothkowitz · Joined: 27 Apr 2006

Was it "S" or "N"?

Sleepy in Seoul · Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 7:42 am Post subject:

Hell, when I was a policeman, I had "a friend" who sometimes drank before work, during work and after work. On occasion all of them together. Too many times to count "he" had seen Police turn up at work early (to avoid the Boss) and put each other on the Alcometer to see who was the least drunk to drive for the shift. It was a matter of pride to not call in sick for self-inflicted sick days. It makes drinking in Korea seem like a child's game.

On the other hand, I (cough) "he" has had one friend murdered on duty, another killed at work, several hospitalised either from injuries incurred at work or because of work and "himself" spent three and a half months in hospital and eight months on sick leave as a result of injuries incurred at work. Teaching is easy...