I don't really like to do this here (not often anyway), but tonight, I'm gonna have a big, massive winge about shit! Shit that is in Korea, and that is pissing me off in any way, shape of form.
First, lest start with my apartment. The toilet is fucked! Firstly, I get told not to put toilet paper down the toilet, bceause that blocks it up. WHY HAVE A TOILET THAT CAN'T FLUSH THE PAPER THAT YOU WIPE YOUR ASS WITH? So, I have to put the paper that I use, in a bag, then put that bag in the rubbish. But, that doens't help. The toilet still blocks up, with no paper... just shit! It's been like that for a while now, and I have to go up to the 14th floor, to use another foreign teachers toilet, or the toilet at work! No matter which country you're in... it's just not good, or sanitary.
Secondly: my boss treats me as the "foreign teacher that you need to run a sucessful hagwon in korea" teacher. In Korea, a children's education is the most important thing a parent can provide for their children. How am I meant to do that, when I get told at the last minute of changes in my timetable? How am I meant to teach them proper English pronunciation, when my boss teaches them konglish pronunciation? Students complain to my boss when I do something that's slightly incorrect, or its too easy or too hard... who is the fucking teacher here? English isn't about testing all the time, remembering passages in English, or working from a workbook. Unfortunately, that is what students are used to in their education system here (or at least, that is my impression). They want a number, to see who is better.
Along with teaching English, students learn about the culture and other things that are associated with the culture of the teacher. They have to realise, that English is spoken differently in other parts of the world. I have children, that can't think outside of American English (all aspects, including the accent). From what I understand, Koreans learn American English, because that is what if spoon-fed to them in popular entertainment. That is definatley the wrong attitiude to have. For example, with some students, as long as I sound like I am from the sitcom "Friends", they can understand me. That really shits me. I'm fine with talking slow, and over-pronouncing words so they can hear the sounds, but talking with a stereotypical american accent? FUCK THAT!
Now, let me talk about Korean society and culture. Normally, it is easier to put all the good things, into one easy idea, but then all the bad things, to go into great depth... and that is exactly what's going to happen now.
In general, Koreans are very helpful, kind, caring and fun people. They find English and Western people fascinating, and want them to have a good impression of Korea. I've had many situations already, where a complete stranger has helped me in some way (giving me directions, a stranger helping me with korean/english stuff, etc). I've met some really nice people here, and they have become friends.
But...
Here are a few things that I've learned...
Elderly Koreans (especially women) have the ability to just push into any line, in frony of anyone they like, even if they look a day younger than them. The idea behind this, is that they've been here for a long time, they deserve respect, and I'm cool with that. But when a short old korean woman, tries to push into the line you've been in for about 15 minutes, trying to get a bus ticket to Seoul (in which you will be on the bus for about 4 hours), while you are trying to speak korean... she can get FUCKED! It's hard enough saying Korean, trying to organise the whole Korean money thing (I'll talk about that later), making sure you're in the right line in the first place... and then this old person pushes in half way though attempting to buy the ticket!
Korean's cant take criticism well when it comes to their country. If a Korean asks you your opinion about things you think are bad, just ignore the question. It isn't rude to ignore questions in Korean culture, it just means that you dont want to talk about it. If half way though a conversation, and a Korean just walks off and does something else and comes back, doesn't mean you're boring as fuck... well, it could mean that, but even so, its rude. So, if you say that you don't like Seoul because it's too crouded, or that Koreans wallpapering the ceiling with the exact same wallpaper as the walls is insane, or that Koreans can't drive properly, because, like bus ticket lines, they're all trying to get infront of each other... just keep that to yourself.
Or, you could tell them that they should get a better money system. The Korean cash system would be the equivaltent of the $10 note being the biggest unit of currency in Australia. Trying to take out $300 from your account would need Ancheint Roman slaves to carry wherever you go. The biggest note in Korea is 10000won. Roughtly, 10000 is about $12 Australian. There are many things in Australia that cost more that $12, or collectively (like shopping). Same with Korea. No matter what you do, you gotta take all these notes with you. The opposite is also the case. The smallest unit is 10won (roughly 1.2cents in Australia). You can't do anything with 10 won!
Other than all that... things are okay here ^^
