One of the biggest cultural differences I have noticed so far here has to do with planning and advanced notice, or more specifically, the complete lack thereof. In Korea, people are very comfortable with just going with the flow, and expect you to be able to do the same. Though this will take some adjusting, I am actually happy about developing a better ability to be spontaneous.
I work from 3 PM to 10 PM Monday through Friday, and Monday I was really pretty exhausted by the time 9 rolled around. With only one hour left in my first day of training, I was very much looking forward to heading back to my apartment and passing out. It was right around this time that my supervisor Jenny informed me that when the work day ended at 10 PM, we would be driving to the school's headquarters in another town so I could meet the principal and vice principal.
Teachers here work very, very late at night. The native english teachers at my academy get off work at 10 PM but often times the Korean English teachers are working until midnight or later. A position as principal is no exception from the long hours. I later met Jenny's husband who seemed not entirely thrilled that his wife worked until midnight 6 days a week, and I got a sad glimpse into the very work driven life many Korean's lead.
We arrived at headquarters and I was told that I needed to be very energetic with a huge smile on my face when meeting with the heads of the academy. I first met with the Vice Principal, and was a little surprised when Jenny said, in front of the VP, "Our Vice Principal is very handsome, isn't he?" I smiled and agreed, and the introduction lasted for less than two minutes. I was then brought upstairs to meet with the principal. In the staircase on the way up we came across a lady who was introduced to me as the supervisor, Jenny's counterpart at that location. Once again Jenny asked me, "Our supervisor is very beautiful, isn't she?" Again, I agreed with her, not used to commenting on the physical appearance of my superiors in the workplace. When we met with the principal, once again, I was asked to comment on the beauty of my new boss. During the two minutes I spent speaking with the Principal, she called me fat, "you look very full", was shocked that I was only 22 "you look so old!", and laughed hysterically at my last name. I considered explaining to her that, no, the name actually works out well because of the pun in my blog title, but figured I should probably just laugh along with her. I guess being from the West with a last name of West is quite funny in the East.
As it was explained to me from my new English Teacher friends, Koreans are very, very obsessed with appearance. They do not hesitate to bring up any aspect of your image, no matter how offensive it may be to a Westerner. Fashion is everything here, and people are always expected to look their absolute best in any situation. I have come to the conclusion that during my stay in Korea I will either gain a very thick skin or a nasty bout of anorexia, but I am leaning towards letting these comments roll off my American back.
I am still so happy to be here, this has been a great experience so far and I am really excited to see what comes next!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
No Socks, No Right Hand, No Service
The following information has been taken from The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture: Korea.
I have been pretty nervous about not knowing all of the behavioral differences between Western and Eastern cultures. It is in these subtleties that I will find my success or failure with my students and new acquaintances, so I of course have skimmed this book at least once. Here are a few of the more entertaining differences from the 100 pages I have highlighted in this book so far.
-It is traditional for those seated on a bus or other form of public transportation to hold the bags of standing passengers. One should not be surprised if a heavy bag is quietly taken from them on a bus or train. It is not a thief but a seated passenger hoping to relieve you of your burden for the duration of the ride.
-Some Korean women will smoke and drink (especially if they are over 60) (SIXTY?!) lead independent lives, and file for divorce. A growing number manage or own businesses. Women are well represented in many professions. There is also a strong feminist movement in South Korea.
-Many Koreans avoid the number 4 (sa) since it has the same pronunciation as the word for death. Thus you will often find that some Korean buildings will not have a fourth floor, or that the letter "F" replaces the number. Because many Koreans are aware of Western superstitions, the number 13 may also be missing.
-To use the left hand is seen by all Koreans as offensive. It is best to offer something to another person, especially if they are senior in age or rank to you, with both hands. If that is not possible, use the right hand.
-Do not stick chopsticks upright in rice as this resembles the way incense is burned at funerals.
-Bare feet are generally to be avoided. (WHOOO! I hate feet. Could not be more ok with this.) Koreans live eat and sleep on the floor, so it is important that floors are spotlessly clean. (The author notes: I have been reprimanded for not wearing socks with sandals by a total stranger on the streets of Seoul.)
-Gold is the best color for wrapping gifts, and all gifts should be wrapped. Avoid black and white.
-Displays of bad temper are regarded as the height of bad manners and are unlikely to achieve much. It is also best to avoid direct criticism as far as possible. If you have to criticize, do it in a vague and roundabout way, and do not do it in public. The direct approach will leave your audience embarrassed and uncooperative.
-Koreans may slurp soup, burp after a meal, and clear their throats noisily, but they do not blow their noses in public.
I have been pretty nervous about not knowing all of the behavioral differences between Western and Eastern cultures. It is in these subtleties that I will find my success or failure with my students and new acquaintances, so I of course have skimmed this book at least once. Here are a few of the more entertaining differences from the 100 pages I have highlighted in this book so far.
-It is traditional for those seated on a bus or other form of public transportation to hold the bags of standing passengers. One should not be surprised if a heavy bag is quietly taken from them on a bus or train. It is not a thief but a seated passenger hoping to relieve you of your burden for the duration of the ride.
-Some Korean women will smoke and drink (especially if they are over 60) (SIXTY?!) lead independent lives, and file for divorce. A growing number manage or own businesses. Women are well represented in many professions. There is also a strong feminist movement in South Korea.
-Many Koreans avoid the number 4 (sa) since it has the same pronunciation as the word for death. Thus you will often find that some Korean buildings will not have a fourth floor, or that the letter "F" replaces the number. Because many Koreans are aware of Western superstitions, the number 13 may also be missing.
-To use the left hand is seen by all Koreans as offensive. It is best to offer something to another person, especially if they are senior in age or rank to you, with both hands. If that is not possible, use the right hand.
-Do not stick chopsticks upright in rice as this resembles the way incense is burned at funerals.
-Bare feet are generally to be avoided. (WHOOO! I hate feet. Could not be more ok with this.) Koreans live eat and sleep on the floor, so it is important that floors are spotlessly clean. (The author notes: I have been reprimanded for not wearing socks with sandals by a total stranger on the streets of Seoul.)
-Gold is the best color for wrapping gifts, and all gifts should be wrapped. Avoid black and white.
-Displays of bad temper are regarded as the height of bad manners and are unlikely to achieve much. It is also best to avoid direct criticism as far as possible. If you have to criticize, do it in a vague and roundabout way, and do not do it in public. The direct approach will leave your audience embarrassed and uncooperative.
-Koreans may slurp soup, burp after a meal, and clear their throats noisily, but they do not blow their noses in public.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Good Friends and Great Causes
Please consider supporting two of my good friends by donating to one or both of the following causes, even $5 goes an incredibly long way and is greatly appreciated:
Ariella will be traveling to Honduras with Global Medical Brigade to help over 1,500 people get access to much needed health care. This will be her third trip to Honduras to provide care, and she can really use your support! For more information on Ariella's trip to Honduras and how your donation can make a huge difference, visit https://fundraising.intelis.com/gbl/AThons/Home.jsp?Person=cc0d0bb812415319ad3100438b561717&Event=cc0d0bb81204854da6a100335db8ce52
Dyani is the founder and director of The Barrio Plant Project,
Ariella will be traveling to Honduras with Global Medical Brigade to help over 1,500 people get access to much needed health care. This will be her third trip to Honduras to provide care, and she can really use your support! For more information on Ariella's trip to Honduras and how your donation can make a huge difference, visit https://fundraising.intelis.com/gbl/AThons/Home.jsp?Person=cc0d0bb812415319ad3100438b561717&Event=cc0d0bb81204854da6a100335db8ce52
Dyani is the founder and director of The Barrio Plant Project,
a community development initiative assisting in the growth of the low-income neighborhood "La Planta" in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua. Through education, job-training, and community development, the residents of "La Planta" are given the building blocks to create and maintain a successful and rewarding life.Project includes free English classes for children and adults, a basketball clinic, a mural in progress, a book club, music projects, community development activities and neighborhood rehabilitation work. For more information and to make a donation to help Dyani and the residents of La Planta, visit http://barrio-planta-project.blogspot.com/ .
Ironing Out The Details: My First Lesson
One of the main reasons I decided to actually make this move to Korea is that it is the only job option I have been presented with thus far that will without a doubt change my life in big ways. It looks like I was right in this assumption, as the first change occured today. This message came from a contact at the school I will be working in.
Tara: "You must iron everything and look neat and presentable. Ironing your clothes is a must...it may surprise you but a lot of teachers have come here and claim they dont know how to iron. Therefore, if you are the same, I recommend you learn!"
My Reply: "I'm an old pro! Will the iron/board be supplied in my apartment?"
First Website I Visited After My Reply: http://www.wikihow.com/Iron
With Thanksgiving in the very recent past, my mind is still set to really recognize those things I am truly thankful for. Today, I am thankful for Google.
Tara: "You must iron everything and look neat and presentable. Ironing your clothes is a must...it may surprise you but a lot of teachers have come here and claim they dont know how to iron. Therefore, if you are the same, I recommend you learn!"
My Reply: "I'm an old pro! Will the iron/board be supplied in my apartment?"
First Website I Visited After My Reply: http://www.wikihow.com/Iron
With Thanksgiving in the very recent past, my mind is still set to really recognize those things I am truly thankful for. Today, I am thankful for Google.
How It All Began
In case you have come across this blog and don't already know me... my name is Peter West, and I am from Morrison, Colorado. I recently graduated from an overpriced private liberal arts college in Boston, with a degree in Marketing Communications. It just so happens that hundreds of thousands of other young aspiring marketers obtained this same degree, in the same month, during the worst economic situation since the 1930s. After months of applying for countless entry level positions I didn't really want, and with student loans a knock knock knockin' on my broke ass door, I decided to seek an alternative route to employed bliss*.
This route began with a move from my quaint** cockroach infested apartment in Allston, MA to a guest room in my parent's log cabin in the mountains of Colorado. It has taken me through a three month process of obtaining a visa, and finally, on December 11th, it will be taking me to Suwon, South Korea. I will be in Suwon for one year, and will be teaching English to 9-16 year old students at the Leehaeyoun Language School. I speak little to no Korean, (I can say "hello" and "easy tiger"***) and have been told that there is no training session for this position. I will be landing in Seoul on a Saturday, sleeping off jet lag on Sunday, and will begin teaching first thing on Monday. I am nervous and ish panic attack-y, but I am ready for the change and excited to see what the next year has in store.
Check back soon for more updates
*for me, at this point in time, bliss simply means being able to afford rent, cell phone bills, minimum payments on student loans, food, and minimal calls from debt collectors. Note, moving out of the country should also help with the "no calls from debt collectors" goal.
**I actually really, really miss this apartment and my Boston friends. I do not, however, miss the cockroaches. Terrifying. Let's hope they don't have cockroaches in Suwon?
***I can say "Hello" (Ahn-nyung) for two reasons. The first being that it is the name my mom gave a tiny kitten we found in the forest and decided to keep. The second, and actually the inspiration for the kitten name, is the show Arrested Development. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXYSjyZCmKI
I can say "Easy Tiger" because it was the funniest post in my Korean dictionary, so of course, it is the only one I can really remember.
This route began with a move from my quaint** cockroach infested apartment in Allston, MA to a guest room in my parent's log cabin in the mountains of Colorado. It has taken me through a three month process of obtaining a visa, and finally, on December 11th, it will be taking me to Suwon, South Korea. I will be in Suwon for one year, and will be teaching English to 9-16 year old students at the Leehaeyoun Language School. I speak little to no Korean, (I can say "hello" and "easy tiger"***) and have been told that there is no training session for this position. I will be landing in Seoul on a Saturday, sleeping off jet lag on Sunday, and will begin teaching first thing on Monday. I am nervous and ish panic attack-y, but I am ready for the change and excited to see what the next year has in store.
Check back soon for more updates
*for me, at this point in time, bliss simply means being able to afford rent, cell phone bills, minimum payments on student loans, food, and minimal calls from debt collectors. Note, moving out of the country should also help with the "no calls from debt collectors" goal.
**I actually really, really miss this apartment and my Boston friends. I do not, however, miss the cockroaches. Terrifying. Let's hope they don't have cockroaches in Suwon?
***I can say "Hello" (Ahn-nyung) for two reasons. The first being that it is the name my mom gave a tiny kitten we found in the forest and decided to keep. The second, and actually the inspiration for the kitten name, is the show Arrested Development. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXYSjyZCmKI
I can say "Easy Tiger" because it was the funniest post in my Korean dictionary, so of course, it is the only one I can really remember.
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