Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Been There, Taught That]

Humans take for granted that without aid of some kind we are all anchored to the earth, some carrying more ballast than others. That's where the oddity comes in for FT in Korea. I've never really seen that much overweight among Koreans, but in the West it's taken for granted (I don't know about Austr/NZ, though).

How has anyone observed that Koreans handle the 'big boned' among especially FT, but really anyone western who comes to Korea with that kind of physical character? All I can say is that it still seems to evoke response outward enough to be noticeable, even hurtful (though Koreans themselves are gaining members in the higher weight department with every Lotteria/Dunkin Donuts/etc. built).

What is the percentage, do you think, of teachers coming over to teach who have noticeable weight concerns? More than in the past? Is it more men, or more women or what? Do you think Korean hiring practices give the heaviness factor as much weight--so to speak--as other considerations which are negative to them , maybe concerning the overall look of a person in their pics?

I don't have a fixation about it, but I will bring my wife (though she won't be working) when I come to teach, and she has slight weight concerns. I told her, and I know it's been true in some cases in the past with people I've known, that if she sticks to the Korean diet, she will see herself losing weight. Anybody find that personally to be true?

Of course, my hagwon of the past had a Korean who had spent years in the US and it showed on him. Biggest-around Korean I've ever seen, and still he wasn't unsightly.

I just want to prepare myself for something that, for my wife's sake, I'm dealing with for the first time as an FT.

[kat2]

Well, she needs to have a think skin. Koreans have a tendency to be rude/blunt to foreigners b/c they don't fit into their social heirarchy so they think its OK. She will have people tell her that she's fat or ask if she's pregnant. So, she just needs to be ready for that.
Personally, I don't think Korean food is that much more healthy than a healthy American eats. There are a lot of carbs and sodium in Korean food. The easiest way to loose weight is to cook at home using a lot of fresh vegetables and chicken or fish. If she isn't working, then its also a great opportunity to get into an exercise routine at a gym or jsut an hour of walking everyday.

[saw6436]

Koreans tend to blunt amongst themselves not just toward foreigners. I can't keep track of the times I have heard one Korean tell another that they have gotten fat, look sick, etc... Just part of the culture.

Your wife may need a bit of thick skin. But, if she sticks to the traditional Korean diet she will most certainly lose weight.