Korean Job Discussion Forums

Whirlwind · Joined: 03 Jun 2005

Wow! I'm back home and it never ceases to amaze me how different it is. There are many things that I enjoy about Korea but there is no place like home. I mean, it is so laid back here. No rush-rush. The thing that blows my mind is the selection(availability of items). I went into a supermarket today and was just amazed. Things for sale that you would pay three times for in Korea. Right now I am enjoying a Sobe and eating Red Baron pizza, two items that would be impossible to find outside of a military base in Korea. Anyone else out there just amazed by the selection of things back home after spending a significant amount of time in K-land

europe2seoul · Joined: 12 Sep 2005 Location: Seoul, Korea

sojourner1 · Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2007 6:54 am Post subject:

I'm awaiting that moment to enjoy good oven baked food again. I firmly believe Western countries have the best product selection and quality of products too. Red Baron pizza baked in your very own oven! Purely scrumptious. That sounds like you're in the good ol' US of A.
Yea, America's got the best goodies for sale in its' super markets and shopping malls, but what about good paying jobs with good benefits like paid vacation time off to travel?
They exist if you're related to someone who can get you in the door or have a nursing or technical degree with references and experience.

It's special to take a look at your own country from the outside which allows you to better understand it it. It is a delight, but also disturbing at times with how places, people, and things change. I expected Korea to have it all as everything is made in Asia today, but Korea is lacking in product selection, availability, and quality. Korea is a rich country with new money and jobs coming of age, but severely behind when it comes to shopping and entertainment. They could start with having a few 3 day weekends and a few good shopping malls with the quality and style you get in the Americas to set things in motion towards an English speaking Korea. A shopping mall that sells it all, including a cafe court with Taco Bell and Sbarro!

europe2seoul · Joined: 12 Sep 2005 Location: Seoul, Korea

Luna · Joined: 22 Feb 2007 Location: seoul suburbs

sojourner1 · Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2007 7:38 am Post subject:

COEX? I will have to check it out when I am in Seoul during my vacation in 2 weeks from now. Wow, no wonder why everything Korea from the waegook perspective is so Seoul centric, it's all in Seoul!

Corporate jobs in western countries typically give you 2 weeks paid vacation a year just same as hagwons in Korea, but hourly waged employees usually get no vacation or will get pay in lieu of time off which is a rip as the paid time off is not only worth money, but all the time itself.

The good thing about teaching in an Asian country is that you can take a month or two off after a one year contract which allows backpackers to get back into step so you actually get more than 2 weeks off.

europe2seoul · Joined: 12 Sep 2005 Location: Seoul, Korea

Qinella · Joined: 25 Feb 2005 Location: the crib

Really, the only product I miss from the US is Taco Bell food. I know, I know. It's gross, mass-produced, cheap crap passing itself off as Mexican food. But whatever. It's hard to beat a double decker and a Mexican pizza when you've got a few beers down the gullet and are about ready to call it a night.

All the other stuff.. yeah it's kinda dazzling at first, but I thought about it* and realized products aren't really so important. If you have the basics covered it's all goot.

edit: *referring to when I last visited the US, expecting to be delighted by the grocery store