Korean Job Discussion Forums

[hubba bubba]

Merry Merry Everyone,

It's noon, and I'm already on the pi$$, so I'm going to make this short. There's an idea I've had for some time now. That idea is, "Does readiong this board make my time in Korea more negative"

Example: Busan 9. By reading this, and other boards, you'd think that Korean people were hunting down waegooks, and deporting them for sport. My impression was that everyone in Korea knew about this, and was talking about it. For the record, I live in Busan, close to where the play occured. Well, I was talking to my Korean coworker, and he hadn't heard of the matter. He's well informed, interested in the bigger pictuire, etc., and surely if it was an issue in Korean society, he'd know about it (I think). That makes me think that, really, a lot of things I read about on these boards don't accurately reflect Korea, Korean cutlure and Korean people.

Another example: Racism. I just don't get it in my life here. Yeah, it's tough beng an "outside person" But, with a few rare exceptions. nobody treats me like carp because I'm a foreigner. On the contrary, people treat me much better than foreigners get treated back home (America). Yet, reading tis board, you'd think that Koreans wear white robes and pointy hats.

I could go on, but I'm on the pi$$, and this is already too long. Let me just sum it up by saying, I think that reading the message boards causes me to have a more negative view and experience in Korea. I know this is where people go to vent and complain. That's all good. But, really, I think that I get a distorted view on Korea by using the boards.

OK, enough. Merry Christmas everyuone!

Hubba

[oneofthesarahs]

Well, I think the thing that you have to realize is that people basically DO use this message board to complain about things. That's the beauty of it. Living in Korea, although lovely 90% of the time, kind of sucks and is inconvenient 10% of the time. And since it's not a good idea to always lose it, although comical (see the have you lost it thread), this board provides a safe place for us to collectively say, "AUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGH!!!!"

So I think you have to seperate the two. Also remember that it is THE INTRAWEB. People like to use hyperbole and are generally more dramatic online than in real life.

Don't let it taint your experience. Have fun, and don't let the bastards get you down.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

This board definitely gives me a broader perspective. Yes, it does inform me of many negative things I wouldn't otherwise have known about and is a good reality check. It also makes me feel really discouraged about foreigners who seem to think that we're only here to party and goof around or alternatively to get raped.

However, one thing that this board consistantly does is make me feel good about my life here. It makes me feel more like a real teacher and like a more respected person in my community than the vast majority of waegooks are.

[corroonb]

Yes.

I was expecting it to be much worse. People do stare sometimes but that's understandable. Koreans seem no ruder than anyone else. In fact on my second day a lady with a full shopping trolley let me go ahead of her. That has never happened to me before.

[TheSwindler]

For sure it does.

Its rare for someone to come on here and say 'A Korean did something really kind to me today'.

People do nice things to me all the time but I have only ever posted about the bad. Lets be honest, people only want to read about the gripes.

As you said in your o.p, this is the place where people come to vent and complain. As long as you keep an open mind and base your opinions about this country on things that directly happen to you, then you can avoid becoming too negative.

In my post, I was deliberatly diplomatic because I have met some fantastic people here. I know that like every other country, there are douches everywhere.

Drink on.

[Kimchieluver]

Well... I definitely learned a heck of a lot on Dave's. I was given step by step instructions on how to get my F2. I got the Ministry of Labour English help line.. and I am on the piss too so I would just like to say Merry Christmas" and life is pretty damn good in Korea.(much better than many Dave's posters would have you believe)

[tiger fancini]

[Apple Scruff]

Hehe......"taint".

[HapKi]

A lot of times when I read someone griping on Daves about some experience, I step back and think to myself, "God, what a grouchy tool."
Bad things happen to bad people.

[Dan The Chainsawman]

I think I have a hard time taking Dave's seriously. Sometimes I give a serious post. Most of the time is crap.

Anyone who carries over internet to real life has some serious issues anyway. Why let Dave's taint your perception of reality? Are you that suggestive of a person that it could happen?

[twg]

Taint

...

Tainty taint

...

What an appropriate word.