Korean Job Discussion Forums

butlerian · Joined: 04 Sep 2006 Location: Korea

To act as a counter-measure against all of the negativity on this board, I would like to state that I enjoy living in Korea. It is not merely because of my job working in a public school. There are pros and cons of the job, just like any other.

There are Koreans I enjoy spending time with, and others I don't, but frankly I generally prefer them to the many obnoxious Westerners that come here. The Koreans I choose to spend time with are sincerely kind, non-violent and a pleasure to be with.

OiGirl · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: Hoke-y-gun

I am so freakin' happy in Korea. Gonna live here until I don't wanna live here anymore...

captain kirk · Joined: 29 Jan 2003

My favorite animation character is Snoopy. I want to visit Daisy Hill Puppy Farm, where Snoopy was born. I know it's around here somewhere, maybe next to the meadow where Bambi and Thumper play.

True Samurai · Joined: 07 Feb 2007

Good on ya, Butlerian. Way too much negativity on this board. One can only suppose the happy, well adjusted expats don't bother writng whingey-assed posts at Dave's. I like Korea and the Koreans (except for my students, needless to say) just fine. As you say, there are pros and cons, and what the whingers gotta understand is that this side of heaven thar're bound to be.

DCJames · Joined: 27 Jul 2006

I think it takes a certain kind of person with a specific type of personality in a particular situation in life to enjoy living in Korea.

I generally like living here, but as with anybody living in a foreign country, have my periods of frustration with the culture here.

trigger123 · Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2007 5:58 am Post subject:

it's great eh?

Joe Bradley · Joined: 05 May 2003

Thanks for starting such a positive thread, Butlerian. I can honestly say that in the five years I spent in Korea from 2001 to 2006, the majority of the Koreans I met - whether they were University Language Center directors, restaurant owners, taxi drivers, or whatever - treated me very well indeed. I was never ripped off or made to feel unwelcome; in fact, in the neighbourhood I was living in (an almost foreigner-free zone), I was often embarrassed by the fact that I was treated like a minor celebrity. But basically, it all comes down to how you behave and how you present yourself - and contrary to popular belief on this forum, Koreans are generally very good judges of character. They know an aggressive or insincere character when they meet one, and the smarter students can certainly spot an unconscientious EFL teacher a mile away. And they're very good at recognising empathy in a person.

In fact, when I look back on those five years I spent in Korea, it's the problems that I had with so-called Western losers that stick out as the only truly unpleasant memories. I'm talking about fellow "teachers" who ripped off their classes by never preparing their lessons properly, "teachers" who routinely cut their university credit classes short - or didn't even turn up half the time (often because they were too hungover) - "teachers" who behaved aggressively after hours in full view of the public, and so forth. Obnoxious prats with chips on their shoulders. Go into any Western bar on a Friday or Saturday night and you'll see what I mean. In fact, the number of borderline alcoholics among the foreign teachers I met never ceased to amaze me. Of course, they always blamed Korea for their problems, but none of them was ever in any hurry to leave.

I would say that 50% of the foreigners I met in Korea fell into the chronic loser category I've just described. It's good to know that you're one of the good guys, Butlerian.

captain kirk · Joined: 29 Jan 2003

'Korea is a good place'. There is hardly any crime. I don't know what it's like in the U.S. now (been here awhile) but one can go just about anywhere here because 'Korea is a good place'. 'Disgruntleds' on Dave's are just laughing at Koreans, tit for tat, the way that Koreans are laughing at them. They work as a clown for schoolkids and then feel out of place after work. They don't dislike Korea, which holds so much power over them with the stupid E2 slave visa, for example, and early dismissal to boot. Most people work hagwons longish hours and have an axe to grind, let 'em grind!

About other foreigners, half of them, being 'chronic losers'; well, that's very nice that you can put yourself in the upper percentile. I personally don't go out of my way to slag 50% of the foreigners working here but, whatever makes you feel strong. I AVOID going to foreigner bars because of what you say. It's fine if one's drinking, I guess, but that's a step in the wrong direction that lasts and lasts. And do yahoos care what respectable sounding persons such as yourself think about them? Nah, about as much as respectable persons care about, uh, hedonists/profligates/carpe-diem'ers/diehards who haven't heard Socrates' saying, 'an unexamined life isn't worth living'. Drinking to excess after chatting with kids is a kick in the head to an otherwise intellectually UNstimulating day. But if they want to romp around, go to 'er.

Ann Landers is one of the 'good guys'. Someone should invite her to this thread. Most teachers here are 28. Wouldn't they be carrying on in inverted fashion at home, too? Isn't life for living (especially if you're in a foreign country, out of college, alienated, and meet in the bars) and they can settle down and congratulate themselves on their correctness at some later date? I think so.

Koreans aren't shy about congratulating themelves, and their country. You sound like you are as proud as some Koreans, which makes for a good match. Their pride doesn't appear as obnoxious to you, just 'righteousness', clean living, accountability, responsibility. These are good qualities to have, and to wear on one's sleeve so as to be recognized. I salute you!

the foystein · Joined: 23 Apr 2007

I enjoy living in Korea. If I didn't I would leave. I like my job. If I didn't I would get another. Both conditions would be the same if I was living in the States.

polonius · Joined: 05 Jun 2004

I have found that those who come with an open mind and are flexible are the ones that enjoy themselves the most. Those that come with an affixed standard, or an unwavering teaching style may not enjoy themselves as much. I really enjoy hanging out at my local bar. Mostly Korean go there, and I have made some really good pals, perhaps not friends whom I would trust intricate details in my life, but certainly people that I enjoy spending time with.

I think that those who are adaptable and not looking to change things, or make Korea as "good" as North America, have a great time. Those that complain and say that NA is so much better, they do this better and that better are generally grumpy.

I love it here. The people, the country and the lifestyle.

RACETRAITOR · Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Location: Seoul, South Korea

tomato · Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2007 8:19 pm Post subject:

My observation is similar to that of Polonius.
I find that those who want to learn something which can be learned here are generally the happiest.
Generally, those who study the language are the happiest and those who don't study the language are the unhappiest.
There are a few exceptions, however.
A person interested in fine arts and who studies the Korean fine arts might be happy here.
A person interested in flora and fauna and who studies the Korean flora and fauna might be happy here.

On the contrary, a person who is interested only in Western media and entertainment, Western food, and Western fads and fashions is usually unhappy here.
We often get messages saying, "Oh, I'm so bored and lonely way out here in the middle of nowhere. I've been here for 6 months with nothing to do and no other foreigners to hang out with!"
I always have to fight back the temptation to write back with something like, "What? You've been here only 6 months and already you've learned to speak fluent Korean? Not only that, but you took out a library card and read all the books in the library? That's amazing!"

Butlerian, excuse me if I'm wrong, but as I remember, you used to live in Hongseong and you enrolled as a hapgido student there.
Am I right?

in_seoul_2003 · Joined: 24 Nov 2003

jaganath69 · Joined: 17 Jul 2003

Korea is a great place if you get off this board, ignore the occasional crap that comes your way, grab some mates and enjoy drinking makkoli/hiking/shopping/a day at the beach/quality family time/insert alternative leisure activity here instead of focusing on all the monkey business that gets vented on here.

samd · Joined: 03 Jan 2007

Korea is awesome.

No country is perfect, but I think the good here outweighs the bad.

This country has been growing on me slowly for the past year and a half and I hope it continues. I can't see why it wouldn't as my language skills and understanding of the place also improve.

I'm a pretty postive person and could live almost anywhere, but I wouldn't waste my life living somewhere I hated. I don't understand why all of the people who hate it so much stay on, and even sign new contracts. Do these people just like being miserable?