Some good news today as I received an important package from home in double quick time and also got my Chuseok gift from my workplace. The gift was probably better than last years one and whatever I got I wouldn't have complained. I'm a guest in this country and my employers don't have to give me a gift whenever it's a big local holiday.
However, two things have been on my mind today. Yesterday one of my co-workers had her bike stolen. It wasn't even hers, someone had loaned it to her. It was stolen from work, well inside the building but in a main area on the first floor near the lift. This is where the students leave their bikes before going to our academy, it's also where I leave mine when I take it to work. Someone nabbed it, we don't know who but probably not a student as the crime doesn't fit with the students who we were teaching yesterday and I don't think they could actually carry the bike any distance. It was locked up and whoever took it will need to break that lock, clearly not a young student.
So who took it? Could have been workers nearby, could have been older students using a close by PC room. Perhaps some random opportunist theif. We just don't know and probably never will do. I've heard of bikes being stolen here before but in general things are still much, much safer and crime free than life back home, and that's coming from someone who has been burgled here. Hopefully my bike won't get nicked, it's old enough and wouldn't pass for being worthy of taken I feel.
The other thing was when I was in Homeplus this afternoon waiting in line to get served. Someone was in front of me and I was waiting for my turn and as that person was finishing up, some young girl pulled up beside me and just pushed her way past me. The rudest thing I've seen here in ages. I was incensed and nearly walked out of the shop as the server did nothing. I cursed my lack of command of the Korean language. I should have told the girl she was in the wrong but it would only have caused a scene.
I was annoyed because this thing hasn't happened to me in months and months. You can see this quite often if you look for it but this was just so blatantly rude it really affected me for a while. Sometimes my wife (who IS Korean) and I despair at the lack of manners of some people. I just wish my wife had been there at the time to give this girl an ear bashing. Did she do it because I wasn't Korean or would she have done that to anyone? I have my doubts as to whether or not she'd do that to a Korean who was older. Sometimes this country just gets to you no matter how long you've been here or how much you like the place and the people. It's one thing having an old woman push past you but some snotty little teenage girl. It won't happen again.
Showing posts with label work. Show all posts
Showing posts with label work. Show all posts
Thursday, 16 September 2010
Thursday, 10 June 2010
Nemesis watch: Final word
One of my best mates here and a co-worker, Mark, left this morning - the office will be very different over the coming months. Everyone at work wishes him the best for his future and he certainly has an exciting one lined up. Whilst departures like this are an unfortunate consequence of my job, some exits are welcomed more easily. A couple of weeks ago my nemesis left. Well not really my nemesis but a co-worker who was 'different' from other teachers.
A co-worker who spoke to the English teachers at work a handful of times over the course of two years. Indeed she only seemed to speak to her partner teachers when they spoke to her in Korean. Maybe if I was Korean then the working relationship would have been better. A favourite with our manager, at her leaving party everyone was requested to say some words on her leaving. This was bizarre and uncomfortable for me. How can you talk about someone who simply does not talk to you and is on the surface, a cold person. I managed to say something but was my insincerity noticed?
It always felt strange to me that someone who seemed to dislike interaction in English would actually choose to be an English teacher. And then go to Australia, where she would have to speak English. Some Korean teachers grasp the opportunity to get to know co-workers, learn about other cultures and improve their English but not her. Perhaps she is destined to join the ranks of Koreans tourists who venture abroad on vacation only to hang around fellow Korean travellers and eat only ramien and ignore the whole point of travelling.
Her replacement has spoken more English in the staff room in two weeks than she did in two years.
A co-worker who spoke to the English teachers at work a handful of times over the course of two years. Indeed she only seemed to speak to her partner teachers when they spoke to her in Korean. Maybe if I was Korean then the working relationship would have been better. A favourite with our manager, at her leaving party everyone was requested to say some words on her leaving. This was bizarre and uncomfortable for me. How can you talk about someone who simply does not talk to you and is on the surface, a cold person. I managed to say something but was my insincerity noticed?
It always felt strange to me that someone who seemed to dislike interaction in English would actually choose to be an English teacher. And then go to Australia, where she would have to speak English. Some Korean teachers grasp the opportunity to get to know co-workers, learn about other cultures and improve their English but not her. Perhaps she is destined to join the ranks of Koreans tourists who venture abroad on vacation only to hang around fellow Korean travellers and eat only ramien and ignore the whole point of travelling.
Her replacement has spoken more English in the staff room in two weeks than she did in two years.
Thursday, 11 February 2010
Coffee (I am not a bad boy)
As well as having Korean teachers and native English language speaking teachers, my workplace employs a handful of extra local 'teachers'. They don't do any teaching but spend the duration of classes in the corridors marking papers or preparing some materials for the rest of us and of course completing lists of all the students who have to. These are Jaeshi (재시) teachers. Jaeshi loosely means retest. Where I work, students who don't do their homework, perform very badly repeatedly in class or have poor class test scores get jaeshi. They stay behind after their classes have finished for around an hour or so.
In over two years working at my academy, in largely the same rooms, I have seen lots and lots of Jaeshi teachers. Some I have become friendly with and some who just don't like talking with non-Korean speakers. They all seem to be university students trying to make some money in a part-time job and who from time to time are studying English, but usually not. I talk to them a bit and joke around, trying to make my work as fun as possible because it's repetitive. There is a language barrier but communicating seems to work OK. The rooms I teach in are side by side and right next to the jaeshi teachers desks so I can see them working and they can see me (not) working etc etc. There's no room for me to hide. Or them.
This week on the way to a class a few of the jaeshi teachers were joking that I never buy them a coffee and I always have a cup in class, calling me a "rich guy" etc, etc. After the joking around I said I'd by them some coffee. All this week I've had "bad guy" and "liar" amongst others because I didn't 'pay up'. After another verbal battering today, I gave them ₩10,000, roughly £5 to buy them some drinks from the coffee shop below our school and asked them to get me a drink too. They were very surprised when I actually said I would buy them a coffee. They somehow managed to get my drink and enough coffee to be split between five of them, which I found very impressive. Afterwards they treated me like a prince with some silly and over-the-top compliments (like I'd fed a starving child) and gave me this piece of paper, below. I hope they liked their coffee, the shop I go to needs the business.
In over two years working at my academy, in largely the same rooms, I have seen lots and lots of Jaeshi teachers. Some I have become friendly with and some who just don't like talking with non-Korean speakers. They all seem to be university students trying to make some money in a part-time job and who from time to time are studying English, but usually not. I talk to them a bit and joke around, trying to make my work as fun as possible because it's repetitive. There is a language barrier but communicating seems to work OK. The rooms I teach in are side by side and right next to the jaeshi teachers desks so I can see them working and they can see me (not) working etc etc. There's no room for me to hide. Or them.
This week on the way to a class a few of the jaeshi teachers were joking that I never buy them a coffee and I always have a cup in class, calling me a "rich guy" etc, etc. After the joking around I said I'd by them some coffee. All this week I've had "bad guy" and "liar" amongst others because I didn't 'pay up'. After another verbal battering today, I gave them ₩10,000, roughly £5 to buy them some drinks from the coffee shop below our school and asked them to get me a drink too. They were very surprised when I actually said I would buy them a coffee. They somehow managed to get my drink and enough coffee to be split between five of them, which I found very impressive. Afterwards they treated me like a prince with some silly and over-the-top compliments (like I'd fed a starving child) and gave me this piece of paper, below. I hope they liked their coffee, the shop I go to needs the business.
Friday, 22 May 2009
A day in the life (in Korea)
Today was another glorious day here in Daegu, Korea with no clouds in the sky so I tried to chronicle my walk to work with some photographs. I ended up taking more than I expected to. Unlike most people, I live less than ten minutes away from the workplace, which has it's obvious advantages especially no travel costs. With travel time for short there are only a limited amount of things that I come into contact with. Despite seeing these things almost every day for the past nineteen months sometimes there are a few surprises on my way. Things I didn't really look at before. Unlike my last area, I pass no bars.
This is the street I live. I can't tell you it's name as there is no sign post. Oh to be a postman in Korea.
My street viewed in the opposite direction.
In my area and I guess many residential places like this cables fill the skyline. Disturbing for someone from the UK, but I've seen similar in Canada.
Littered around every street in my town are academies where you can learn many things. This one is for piano students. Co-workers of mine live above here. Do they love piano too?
Onto the small park just seconds away from my house. A place to rest and hide from the sun if you choose to.
You can find several of these in Chilgok, the area I live in. Free exercise machines, mostly loved by middle aged women. I have never seen these particular ones used though.
More park shots. Kids often play baseball or basketball ball here on weekends or evenings. Night time in particular is very popular.
In the middle of the park is a slide and other activities for children. My area is pretty child centric which is admirable when you conside how many kids live close by.
Another shot of the slide and swings. In the background are flats, a church and a restaurant that serves pigs intestines. I'm never going in there!
A rare sight. A gardener! Tending the grass of the park. When I say grass I mean straw with some green patches scattered around.
First noticed this today. I can't believe I have never seen it before. Presumably rubbish.
The fountain that I pass by. Only alive come Summer time. Kids also love just seeing this in action.
Some kind of sculpture. I cannot give more information. I kind of like it but don't know why.
Street sellers with fruit on offer. These guys only seem to be here on Fridays. I'm yet to buy from them. Fruit here can be found on so many street corners.
I first noticed these 'berries' if that's what they are, today. Perhaps I should take out more time to notice my surroundings in future.
Next to the ATM machine is this stone turtle. I presume there is a significance to Korean culture as I have seen several in other places, but I don't know what they mean. Yet.
Again, another new find. Though slightly off my normal path I took a further look around and found this kiddies slide.
Apartment buildings dominate the skylines of pretty much most cities in Korea. How different is my life to these people? Very. I do find these omnipotent structures a tad depressing.
More 'grass'. Well Korea's equivalent to grass. How can you live in a country with no grass? It's weird but you get used to it. Pretty much no-one has lawns here.
Another sculpture, this time with seating. Again I like this but can't explain why.
A corner shop with a delivery. This time the truck has brought only alcohol. Koreans love alcohol but their beer is appalling. If you get the chance, try some Korean soju. It's vaguely similar to vodka but not as strong.
Nearly at work now. Just minutes away. Though I do only live minutes away.
A corner shop with good outside. It's common to see some of their items actually outside the shop. This could never happen in the UK.
Academies dominate this street, which also has restaurants and convenience stores. It's absurd how many shops and buildings selling education that fill the skies here.
Not just ordinary buildings here, but restaurants (there must be millions of those in Korea), phone shops and PC rooms. Those along with academies are ubiquitous here.
A fish restaurant. The fish tanks are hidden because it's not opening time yet but when open you can see whatever fish they have close up.
A church. Koreans also love churches. This time two side by side. I'd like to know the ratio of churches to people who go in them. I wonder how they fill them.
And here we are. My workplace on the right hand side of the picture and here the day begins in earnest. As they say, it's not the destination, it's the journey.
This is the street I live. I can't tell you it's name as there is no sign post. Oh to be a postman in Korea.
My street viewed in the opposite direction.
In my area and I guess many residential places like this cables fill the skyline. Disturbing for someone from the UK, but I've seen similar in Canada.
Littered around every street in my town are academies where you can learn many things. This one is for piano students. Co-workers of mine live above here. Do they love piano too?
Onto the small park just seconds away from my house. A place to rest and hide from the sun if you choose to.
You can find several of these in Chilgok, the area I live in. Free exercise machines, mostly loved by middle aged women. I have never seen these particular ones used though.
More park shots. Kids often play baseball or basketball ball here on weekends or evenings. Night time in particular is very popular.
In the middle of the park is a slide and other activities for children. My area is pretty child centric which is admirable when you conside how many kids live close by.
Another shot of the slide and swings. In the background are flats, a church and a restaurant that serves pigs intestines. I'm never going in there!
A rare sight. A gardener! Tending the grass of the park. When I say grass I mean straw with some green patches scattered around.
First noticed this today. I can't believe I have never seen it before. Presumably rubbish.
The fountain that I pass by. Only alive come Summer time. Kids also love just seeing this in action.
Some kind of sculpture. I cannot give more information. I kind of like it but don't know why.
Street sellers with fruit on offer. These guys only seem to be here on Fridays. I'm yet to buy from them. Fruit here can be found on so many street corners.
I first noticed these 'berries' if that's what they are, today. Perhaps I should take out more time to notice my surroundings in future.
Next to the ATM machine is this stone turtle. I presume there is a significance to Korean culture as I have seen several in other places, but I don't know what they mean. Yet.
Again, another new find. Though slightly off my normal path I took a further look around and found this kiddies slide.
Apartment buildings dominate the skylines of pretty much most cities in Korea. How different is my life to these people? Very. I do find these omnipotent structures a tad depressing.
More 'grass'. Well Korea's equivalent to grass. How can you live in a country with no grass? It's weird but you get used to it. Pretty much no-one has lawns here.
Another sculpture, this time with seating. Again I like this but can't explain why.
A corner shop with a delivery. This time the truck has brought only alcohol. Koreans love alcohol but their beer is appalling. If you get the chance, try some Korean soju. It's vaguely similar to vodka but not as strong.
Nearly at work now. Just minutes away. Though I do only live minutes away.
A corner shop with good outside. It's common to see some of their items actually outside the shop. This could never happen in the UK.
Academies dominate this street, which also has restaurants and convenience stores. It's absurd how many shops and buildings selling education that fill the skies here.
Not just ordinary buildings here, but restaurants (there must be millions of those in Korea), phone shops and PC rooms. Those along with academies are ubiquitous here.
A fish restaurant. The fish tanks are hidden because it's not opening time yet but when open you can see whatever fish they have close up.
A church. Koreans also love churches. This time two side by side. I'd like to know the ratio of churches to people who go in them. I wonder how they fill them.
And here we are. My workplace on the right hand side of the picture and here the day begins in earnest. As they say, it's not the destination, it's the journey.
Tuesday, 14 April 2009
My own Korean credit crunch
The gravy train appeared to be coming to a stop last week as we received an email informing us that our company credits were coming to an end at the end of this month. I've been expecting this to happen pretty much from the time we first got them so it didn't come as much of a surprise to me. It's no big deal as they were a completely unforeseen bonus at the time. It looks like they're stopping for tax reasons, presumably also the reason why they started up in the first place.
Every foreigner (not Korean - unfair eh?) at my company was given a credit card allowance. Mine now is up to 300,000₩, which is approximately £150 to use on whatever we wanted. I've varied what I've used it on, from airplane tickets to clothes, groceries, gifts for my girlfriend, impulse purchases and nights out. By and large usually things I didn't necessarily need.
The silver lining to all this is that instead of losing the 300,000₩ it will be added to all of my future monthly wages. So although that money will now be taxed it's more likely that I won't be buying too many non-essential things, giving me the chance to save more money. Which, lets be honest is the primary reason I'm here right now.
Much has changed during my time in Korea including my salary. When I first arrived in October 2005 I was working six days a week for what I thought at the time was an OK salary, especially when you consider the very low taxes we pay here. From next month I'll be earning exactly 50% more than what I initially started on and working only five days a week. Could I have feasibly earned a 50% wage rise in three years in the UK? I'd find that hard to believe.
Naturally the exchange rate between the UK and Korea had fluctuated during my time here and it's not as good as in 2005, but it's still OK and enough to stay here and save. It's hard to say money doesn't matter in the current climate. Even in an English teacher's darkest moments in Korea solace can always be found in the amount of money us teachers can make either legally or illegally. It's a great place to save for your future and/or pay off your debts as well as explore a new countries culture and meet some amazing people too.
Every foreigner (not Korean - unfair eh?) at my company was given a credit card allowance. Mine now is up to 300,000₩, which is approximately £150 to use on whatever we wanted. I've varied what I've used it on, from airplane tickets to clothes, groceries, gifts for my girlfriend, impulse purchases and nights out. By and large usually things I didn't necessarily need.
The silver lining to all this is that instead of losing the 300,000₩ it will be added to all of my future monthly wages. So although that money will now be taxed it's more likely that I won't be buying too many non-essential things, giving me the chance to save more money. Which, lets be honest is the primary reason I'm here right now.
Much has changed during my time in Korea including my salary. When I first arrived in October 2005 I was working six days a week for what I thought at the time was an OK salary, especially when you consider the very low taxes we pay here. From next month I'll be earning exactly 50% more than what I initially started on and working only five days a week. Could I have feasibly earned a 50% wage rise in three years in the UK? I'd find that hard to believe.
Naturally the exchange rate between the UK and Korea had fluctuated during my time here and it's not as good as in 2005, but it's still OK and enough to stay here and save. It's hard to say money doesn't matter in the current climate. Even in an English teacher's darkest moments in Korea solace can always be found in the amount of money us teachers can make either legally or illegally. It's a great place to save for your future and/or pay off your debts as well as explore a new countries culture and meet some amazing people too.
Thursday, 26 March 2009
Nemesis update
Work remains the same but something is starting to grate. Little by little, day by day one offender has been gnawing away at my patience and sanity. There is someone at work who cannot walk properly. I will point out here that some of my co-workers wear something resembling slippers whilst at work. Presumably for comfort reasons. But what difference could these slippers make to being able to walk correctly? Rather than lifting one leg up then going forward (repeating with the other leg etc etc), this person is making no attempt to walk, only shuffle their slippers ever forward. The noise is not loud but relentless. Like a butcher sharpening a knife but worse. The laziness of this person beggars belief.
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