Korean Job Discussion Forums

[tanklor1]

I can't say that I hate it, becuase I don't. But I am miffed at it. I've run into a problem with one of my fellow English teahcers; who has been here for a while and has gained a fair amount of knowledge about how things work here.

From this teacher I keep getting pointers on how to improve my demeanour and in-office interaction.

I know that I'm new at this game, this is my first trip to a foreign country and I do need help sometimes. But it seems that my every action is under the watchful eye of big brother and everything that I do in and out of the school seems to be judged. I actually hate talking to this teacher at any great length becuase I know that I'm going to hear how my actions can be improved.

Oddly enough I haven't heard anything about my actual teaching ability. Just the personal interaction stuff. For example: Telling everyone good bye at the end of the day.

Perhaps I'm just too new at this game.

[Apple]

Dont sweat it man.. You can do things for yourself and figure out how everything works thru trial and error. I would politely tell this person that you dont really want his/her adivce and you really need to figure out things for yourself. No offense to them of course. I have had to do this and I think its very important to find your own way..

[tanklor1]

[schwa]

Half the job is personal interaction in your workplace & the smoother that goes, the smoother your time here. The example of advice you cite is a good suggestion. If your colleague is acting like a superior twit I sympathize with you, but dont brush off useful cultural insight he might be offering just on account of that.

Relax & learn. Maybe youre fortunate to have a mentor.

[tanklor1]

[Wondering]

We once had a meeting where we were told that we had to say good morning to the boss every morning when we went in and goodbye before we left. Considering that the boss never made it in before we did, it was a pain the neck to hang around waiting for her so we could say good morning instead of getting some work done or preparing for classes, or even watching the kids who came in early. As for goodbye, well, she was hard to track down. I finally flat out told her that it was difficult to say good morning to her when she came in later than I did and I had work to do and she got mad and chewed me out. I never said good morning to her again unless I happened to see her before classes. Never tried to hunt her down to say goodbye, but would if I saw her on my way out. Same as how I'd done before that meeting. She never got on my case about it ever again, so I guess that was how we resolved things. I think she just wanted to exert her "authority" since she was new. Once she realized that I didn't not respect but wouldn't go out of my way to put on a face about it, she seemed okay with it.

[kingplaya4]

I don't speak Korean that well, but its my distinct impression Koreans could care less for our awkward bowing, and our lousy anyong haseyos and anyong hi kaseyos. Just be a polite foreigner, unless the boss actually talks to you personally about saying good morning or whatever I wouldn't worry about it.

This guy doesn't sound like a bad guy, but he probably doesn't have much in his life to be proud of other than knowing something about Korean culture.

[tanklor1]

[Letiz7]

You sound like a very pleasant, considerate person.
Your co-worker sounds like an annoying prat.

Ask questions to the point where he says something dumb.
He will. I've met this type before. And at that point, you'll realise what a sad sack he is. And then you'll feel better!

[Boodleheimer]

i just arrived back to Korea last night (after 4 months on holiday), i was presented to the School Board this morning, and i was taken to my new school. one of the teachers wanted to introduce me to his class. loud, friendly kids, they wanted to know where i was from.

i, foolishly, told the truth. "I'm from Virginia."

just you try and guess what happened.

[whatever]

...so...what happened?

[taobenli]

They made shooting gestures and noises.

Am I right?

[Boodleheimer]

bingo. welcome back to Korea, KWhitehead.

[toddswift]

[toddswift]