Korean Job Discussion Forums

[shetan]

feels like.. lots old guys who dont want to go home to their wives... so get drunk and flirting with the young Korean office girls..

I cant understand what they are saying cause speak to fast and dont really like strange raw fishy/alien looking stuff...

also dont like being force fed copius amounts of Soju on Wed night.

Do I have to go??? Or will there be long term repercussions???

CanI go 1 hour and then take off with some lame excuse about being sick or something???

[Yu_Bum_suk]

You can try leaving early but they usually really like the waygook to stick around. It really, really isn't a good idea to miss these things too often if you want to feel any jeong and be part of any sense of uri around the office.

[shetan]

it kind of annoy's me that they say your boss and co workers are like 1 big happy family...

dont worry about the contract etc etc...

ahh.. ok then... so can I take a sick day off?? ...No.

can I extend my contract 1 more year?? ... No.

why not??

I dont know... just cant...we have 2 year hiring policy and thats it.

so in Korea they say to their kids... well you have studied 2 years at uni so get the F**k out of home now...???

[laogaiguk]

If it's just the soju part, be firm, but they will understand. You can also toast and then pour it into the soup bowl. Watch what some of the younger Korean men are doing. They don't want to be there any more than you, and see what they do to get out of it.

[merkurix]

[unknown9398]

Here's how to handle the soju. In a casual drinking situation, such as during dinner, just do as the Koreans do who don't want to drink. Lift the glass during the toast, put it to your lips, pretend to drink, and put the glass back down.

Now if you're stuck with the last group of hard drinkers who are drinking shots and blowing air though their teeth, drink one or two and then beg off. If they know you're not a big drinker, they'll understand. But leaving early could earn you a few social demerits.

[atomic42]

I guess I'm confused why you wouldn't go. My boss banged on my door at 9:00 last Wednesday night and demanded we go for hoe. I agreed, we polished off the amazing dinner and about 4 bottles of soju and had a great time.

Live a little, it won't hurt.

[mack4289]

I've been along on these things before and they're good fun (at least with the people I work with). We don't have to work til 2pm though, it could be harsh if you have to work early.

But when I had plans and couldn't go, I told them that. Maybe it bothered them, but you have to ask yourself if you really give a sh*t. I could care less if people around the office like me or not. They seem nice but I'm not friends with them and never see them outside work. If you feel the same, tell them you have plans.

[Fishead soup]

The raw fish you can't taste they dip it in this red pepper paste that completly overpowers the subtle flavour of the fresh fish.

[oldfatfarang]

Up to you. You're an adult. If you feel the need to be pressured into drinking alcohol you don't want to drink - and eat food you're not especially comfortable eating - to develop juri and unriness with your boss - go for it.

But, as other posters have alluded to: this is a game in Korea. And it's really a game for Koreans. They have a long term (career) investment in showing respect and loyalty to their boss this way.

If you're a temporary contract worker (E2), then there's little value for you in this game - except getting drunk with the boys. I wouldn't expect your attendence to increase your salary or other working conditions.

[genezorm]

[kat2]

Develop a cough/stomachache/flu immediately. Tell them you went to the doctor and he gave you some medicine. You can come, but your medicine prevents you from drinking. And you ahve to go home early to rest. Problem solved.

I try to go to these things, even though they are no fun. I usually leave after the food has been eaten, but before the serious "socializing" begins. I'm a woman, so its easier to leave early than if you are a man. If you are a man, just tell them that you want to go home to see your wife/girlfriend. The Kwomen will think you are the sweetest thing ever. The Kmen will give you a hard time, but they know that waygooks marry for love, so they won't give you too hard of a time.

[regicide]

[atomic42]

Huh?
We live in Korea and it's called 'hoe', not sashimi. Ever seen sashimi served with 42 banchan, glass noodles and sesame leaves? Thought not. That's because it's hoe and not sashimi.

I guess we should call soju 'sake' using your logic.

[regicide]