Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ThreeDogNight]

I was thinking. I've learned a few tips since being absent here and living in Korea, things I wish others would have shared with me. Here are but a few, as I don't have enough time to think of them all. Anyone else can feel free, therefore, to add what you've learned, or some helpful tips, to living in Korea, things not written in the books.

I Have learned this:

*Don't show your anger, UNLESS IT'S ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY.
Although Koreans show their anger in some social situations, such as
demos, or in certain incidences, the later is usually to save face, and not
to vent. Western form of anger is to show disapproval, but to do so in
public here is usually not acceptable. It's more of a 'grin and bear it'
mentality here, even in the workplace and if you're right. It might just
get you ostracised otherwise.

* Korea is a speck of a country and the world's most crowded. Always
remember this, and it will help you act and react more humanely and
courteously and feel less in shock. It's what formed the mindset here,
in my opinion, and justifies alot of what we call "ignorances."

* Never get in the frame of mind that you hate Koreans or that
Koreans are stupid. It leads to further isolation and ignorances
on our part. There are always some good Koreans out there, even
if you do run into some bad ones here and there. In general, Koreans
are not out to get you.

*See if you can get military personnel or someone to escort you onto a
US military base. They are like little cities unto themselves, have all
things Western, including clothing and food, if you can get someone to
buy stuff for you.


*Eat Korean food sparingly. You'll screw up your stomach. Make sure you
get vitamins, because you might be malnourished here. It shows in the
face.

*Don't go to big hospitals. Use only the local clinics, or "We-wons." But
don't worry too much about minor things like stomach aches, sore-
throats and coughs. These you'll have plenty of, they're usually season-
al, and spread rapidly enough from children you teach. If you do get
a long term cough, get an antibiotic. You probably have bronchitis.

*For stomach aches just drink yogurt, or warm-milk at night.

*For noisy apartments, turn on your stove fan, if your bed is close
enough to the kitchen. It drowns out all sound(usually.)

*If you buy a bike, lock it at all times "to something." They get stolen
like nothing here. If you do want to buy a bike, go to a used bike shop.
or any bike shop, for that matter. You can usually buy one for 40,000
won or so(Why buy a new one when you can't take it home?)

*Health clubs? Go to the parks and jog or work out and save money. Or
go to the local indoor swimming pools. They're only 2,400 won a shot.

*Hit the flea markets and used stores here for furniture. Forget buying
them at furniture stores.

*Stay away from foreigners who continually speak negative of Korea,
even some on this board. It'll ruin your adaptation here.

These seem basic, I know. But maybe others have better tips on how
to get along "at least a little easier here" in Korea. This is all I can think of, although I know it's shallow.

[little mixed girl]

.....

[Kalhoun]

The Clinic-Hospital tip~depends on where. Went to a horrible clinic. Guy was useless as tites on a bull! Then went to a hospital and the doc basically saved my life IMHO. Later found a decent clinic in the hood that I like. Always, be careful which doctors you visit.

BTW, the rest of it sounds awesome~ except not eating much Korean food. Have to dissagree with you there. Though, I would caution to be careful of too much spicey food
Cheers!
Kalhoun

[rapier]

re: hospitals: apparently the only place to get my wisdom teeth pulled is a hospital, I've almost booked myself in... is it risky??

[Howard Roark]

RE: Tip about locking up bikes.

I strongly agree and would like to add this goes double, tripple for scooters and motorbikes. Especially the small, coffee-girl style, ones get stolen like crazy here. They usually have no plates or documents, espcially when bought second-hand, and they all look pretty much the same. If it gets stolen it's like having a bicycle stolen. There's really no way to get it back. They are so easy to steal, so small and light. People just pick them up and put them into the back of a truck and drive off.

It happened to me. My scooter was taken from right in front of my apartment building. In fact, my apartment is on the first floor next to the entrance. So I was sleeping not 20 feet away as someone was taking off with my scooter.

My boyfriend also had a motorcycle stolen. He had just paid 2.5M for a 400cc Suzuki Bandit. He came out of the PC room one night, gone!

Luckily, this particular bike weighs about 200Kg so whoever took it soon got tired of pushing it around and my boyfriend found it abandoned down the street from the PC room.

We have learned our lesson from these incidents. I hope you take this warning seriously, newbies and oldies alike.

[Butterfly]

Apart from the health club one, good advice all round. Health club however, is a great place to meet people (and women) and make new friends. I love mine.

[Sarah-in-Korea]

I've found the gym to be a good thing here too. Usually it's too hot or too cold to be outside (or running by the river I end up swallowing too many bugs!) but the temp in the gym is more regulated. If I didn't go to a gym I'd have too many reasons never to get off my behind. My local gym is huge and we (my boyfriend and I) only pay 100,000 for 3 months. We call it the waygook special because the owner gives it to all the foreigners we bring in to join up. We've also been to the owners house for a "staff" dinner so are clearly part of the family!
Funny things happen there now and then, like last Saturday. The owner asked us to come down to the next floor of the building for a buffet lunch. We couldn't fathom it at all! We were in our gym clothes and felt so lame walking into a wedding (it was in it's trot-singing stage) to steal food. Then we found out that his sister owned the buffet hall and that he comes down almost every day for lunch so didn't feel quite so confused. Still, I'd be really peeved if some people just came sauntering into my wedding and started eating my food! Unfortunately for us our Korean is appalling so we have to learn everything the hard way.

SiK

[Psy]

Wonderful advice!

And may I add, try not to take offense from the pushing and bumping, especially during subway rush hours. Everyone's in a rush and you'll get used to it. I got smacked in the head by a briefcase once. (Maybe on purpose?)

And eats lots of kimchi and soju.

[IconsFanatic]

"Go jogging in parks"?? What parks??

[shawner88]

Yeah not bad except the food and the health club bits. Actually I havent paid for my health club in 4 months. I'm the only user that doesn't have a card, as I'm the only foreigner. The owner just smiles and pats me on the back whenever he sees me, maybe he figures I'm good for business.

I eat Korean food everyday practically and my stomach is fine. I do worry about eating too much salt though.

[ulsanchris]

I've been to some clinics and hospitals. I would say that hospitals are better. at least the ones i have been to.
IF you walk into a clinic and it looks a little run down. just walk out and find a new. In my experience they are just bad. The ones that are new looking and in better order usually have a better doctor.

[Down from Above]

Great post, TDN. This board desperately needs more posts like this one. Well done, sir.

[Mr. Pink]

Disagree on the Korean food thing.

Perhaps you should change it to eating SPICY Korean food sparingly the first few months until you adjust.

If you don't eat Korean food while in Korea, um WTF are you going to eat? Especially if you have a job like I did my first year - where you have to order food and eat during a break.

Most new comers aren't going to know where to go to buy the food they are used to from back home.

On Korean food I would suggest have either your Korean or foreign co-workers take you around and you TRY every Korean dish. Write down the ones you dislike and ones you like. Don't over do it on the spicy...I went nuts on spicy and killed my stomach

I also disagree on little clinics being better than hospitals. Also disagree on not going for minor things. I used to think like that, but minor things TURN into BIG things if you don't get them looked at. Clinics are very limited in what they CAN and CAN'T do. Also the doctors there will most likely not speak English. At hospitals they can hook you up with an assortment of doctors, and the better hospitals have overseas trained doctors that will make you feel more comfortable.

Here is what I suggest, if you don't live near a big/good hospital, find a medium sized clinic where the doctor speaks English. If you need major attention - hospitals are the way to go.

About wisdom teeth any oral surgeon can do it at their clinc...I had mine done at a guy's clinic, was no problem.

[OiGirl]

[Homer]

3 dog night,

Excellent list!


I have reservations about:


*Eat Korean food sparingly. You'll screw up your stomach. Make sure you
get vitamins, because you might be malnourished here. It shows in the
face.

I eat "korean" everyday and have not screwed up my stomach. However, I don't drink booze ver often. We have bk at my in-laws every morning and the Korean bk is quite healthy. Lots of fruits and sometimes some rice and soup.
Of course if you eat bulgogi every meal then it will screw you up. However by eating Korean you will not be "malnourished" (bad choice of word there... ).
As for vitamins either you take some or get them in your food intake.

Overall, I find the korean diet to be healthier then the Western diet of today. We eat western sometimes (we cook it at home).


*For stomach aches just drink yogurt, or warm-milk at night.

I find drinking flat cider works best for sore stomachs...but thats just me.
Warm milk makes it worse...


*Health clubs? Go to the parks and jog or work out and save money. Or
go to the local indoor swimming pools. They're only 2,400 won a shot.

Health clubs are nice here. I like mine, its a cool place and I have met a couple of cool people there.


Otherwise excellent list my man!

I would add:

*Don't focus on things you have no control over until they become mountains of aggravation.

*Always ask yourself where things come from or why people behave in such a way. do not stop at the "what" of it.

*Avoid at all costs trying to make Korea fit into a neat western mold. It won"t work , nor should it. Differences make life interesting.

*Learn to bend and adapt a little. This is not Kansas toto and nor should it be!