Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Mosley]

So I'm giving my introductory lesson to high schoolers & allow them to ask me general questions near the end of it. Sure as kimchi, some budding nationalist asks me about Dokdo. Of course, I want to give one of two responses:

(1) Who gives a rat's patooey?
(2) Why would anyone of rational mind give a rat's patooey over a useless piece of rock in the Sea of Jap...er, sorry...East Sea? (Mind you, I'd ask the same thing of any Japanese who are hot & bothered about this, although I suspect there are precious few of them).

So, I say "I don't know(anthing about the dispute)". This never fails to elicit groans of disappointment. Damned if I'm going to feed their xenophobia.

Granted, I've encountered these nationalistic/political sentiments from students before("BUSHEEE!! NOOOO!") but biting my tongue still rankles me a bit. Anyone else encounter this and if so how did you deal with it?

[Ya-ta Boy]

Like you, I plead ignorance and move right on to something else. Once, I tried to make a joke about it, (Dokdo is mine!) but that didn't go over at all well.

[xCustomx]

I told my middle school kids that I don't care and that I didn't understand what the big deal was. A few of them told me it has historical significance and even though the island itself is small, there are natural resources under the island. I then explainded that I know it's important to them, but I didn't really care about it.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

Just ask them 'What? You mean Laincourt Rocks?'

[pkang0202]

Write Dokdo on a piece of paper and just take a whiz on it.

Seriously, just dodge the topic.

[Mosley]

The historical thing I can sort of understand but what natural resources? It's not like the Paracel(sp?)/Spratly islands where at least there might be something worth fighting for.

[CasperTheFriendlyGhost]

Just stick to facts. Opinions should be clearly noted as such.

What are you guys afraid of a bunch of kids?

[pkang0202]

[Mosley]

Yes, Casper, I'm terrified of them.

You've obviously never worked in a public school here where your "character" is just about as important as your teaching. Going against the flow(openly, at least) of the Korean mindset will put you in fine standing with your colleagues, eh?

Nope, pleading ignorance is the least worst choice.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

[Mark7]

Yeah, I was asked the Dokdo question for the first time, and being of Asian-ethnicity but not Korean looking, they thought I was Japanese or something else.

So, when they asked me "Dokdo," I was like, "what?"

Then they said, "Takeshima!" Because they thought, seriously, I was Japanese.

Then I told them that Dokdo belonged to Korea, and they yelled in joyous unison. I don't really mind the nationalism, because with their torrent history with their Japanese neighbors, who can't but help to be proud of their nation!

[kat2]

one of my favorite classroom moments was on the nationalities -"I"m from ____. I"m ____." day. I was saying countries and they had to say "I'm German" or "I'm Russsian". It went something like this:

I say" Dokdo." (Making trouble is fun)
They say "I'm Korean"
I say "No, I'm Japanese."
They jumped out of their chairs (literally!!!)
I say "JOKE!!"

[Mosley]

Ha, ha! That's a tempting idea ,kat, very tempting.....

[kat2]

[pest2]