RANTING/VENTING MEGATHREAD

Has anyone ever noticed that, for the most part, in every school the classrooms are always on the same side of the hallway? In all the schools the classrooms always face south. Is there a reason for that?

Has anyone ever noticed that, for the most part, in every school the classrooms are always on the same side of the hallway? In all the schools the classrooms always face south. Is there a reason for that?

All my classrooms face west. But yes, all the corridors are on the same side in all the buildings.

I would suggest that a southern facing residence is usually more desirable as it catches more sun and more light (although eesh.. hot in the summer). Maybe that's the same reasoning for the schools you've been to.

Is it just me, or do people talk to themselves more here?

Seriously wondering. I'm not trying to be a bitch or anything, but I feel like everyone has a constant monologue and it's kind of distracting when I'm trying to work.

I've wondered the same thing. It seems like people just going about their daily business do a lot of talking to no one in particular. Never noticed this in any other country..

I've noticed this in Korea but it was not shocking to me as we have who are called 'mutterers' back home. I don't mean it to come off as a joke at the expense of those suffering from mental illnesses, but when your city has a mental health situation as unique as Toronto's, you become very accustomed to it and much less sensitive about it. In T.O. there are major mental health facilities (CAMH most notably) smack dab in the middle of some of the most major parts of the city (Queen West and Spadina and College, near U of T campus). These buildings deal with addiction and mental health and offer incredible services although they also allow residents a lot of 'free time,' which unfortunately, as a resident of both these parts of town, can be quite dangerous. Ergo, we had a lot of mutterers (also someone pooped on my back porch once).
Also, a little rant for the day. I hate that my school's English head will pull me away from my work to have little meetings with the other staff. At these meetings my eyes glaze over as I get tired of trying to understand middle aged lady Korean (lots of silly inflections and expressions like 'OKAIIIIIIIIIY'). Then, we leave and I sit at my desk and she just tells me what everyone said. Usually it doesn't relate to me in the slightest. I waste 1 hour of precious internet time.

I hate getting dragged into meetings. I don't understand what is happening.

I try to explain to my co-teacher that I need this hour to do work. I tried to explain the concept of working smarter, not harder. Then again, this is Korea.

With regards to the mumblers. I have seen more here but I have also seen a huge amount of vocalisation of random stuff here. Most acute in winter when they seem to have some inability to observe that it's cold quietly.

It's one of the little joys of living here. What would normally be diagnosed pathologies are common behaviour here. It gives the place a bit of an acid trip feel to it.

I'm still not sure if this place needs narcotics more than anything else or if availability of drugs would change this place into an apocalyptic mess.

Has anyone ever noticed that, for the most part, in every school the classrooms are always on the same side of the hallway? In all the schools the classrooms always face south. Is there a reason for that?

All my classrooms face west. But yes, all the corridors are on the same side in all the buildings.

I would suggest that a southern facing residence is usually more desirable as it catches more sun and more light (although eesh.. hot in the summer). Maybe that's the same reasoning for the schools you've been to.

It's one of the little joys of living here. What would normally be diagnosed pathologies are common behaviour here. It gives the place a bit of an acid trip feel to it.

I'm still not sure if this place needs narcotics more than anything else or if availability of drugs would change this place into an apocalyptic mess.

can you imagine if cocaine was easily available here? every salaryman would be constantly jacked up on it all the time to help them 'work'.

Is it just me, or do people talk to themselves more here?

Seriously wondering. I'm not trying to be a bitch or anything, but I feel like everyone has a constant monologue and it's kind of distracting when I'm trying to work.

I've wondered the same thing. It seems like people just going about their daily business do a lot of talking to no one in particular. Never noticed this in any other country..

I've noticed this in Korea but it was not shocking to me as we have who are called 'mutterers' back home. I don't mean it to come off as a joke at the expense of those suffering from mental illnesses, but when your city has a mental health situation as unique as Toronto's, you become very accustomed to it and much less sensitive about it. In T.O. there are major mental health facilities (CAMH most notably) smack dab in the middle of some of the most major parts of the city (Queen West and Spadina and College, near U of T campus). These buildings deal with addiction and mental health and offer incredible services although they also allow residents a lot of 'free time,' which unfortunately, as a resident of both these parts of town, can be quite dangerous. Ergo, we had a lot of mutterers (also someone pooped on my back porch once).

I lived in Toronto for five years, so yeah. Maybe that's why it bothers me so much- I expect some really messed-up stuff to happen when I hear it!

Most acute in winter when they seem to have some inability to observe that it's cold quietly.

As a Brit, I also have this problem. I talk about the weather at least once or twice a day. 

Most acute in winter when they seem to have some inability to observe that it's cold quietly.

As a Brit, I also have this problem. I talk about the weather at least once or twice a day. 

Slightly different. The weather chat comes from our congenital terror at the idea of having to bond with strangers over something real.

The cold think is what I call the "chua" song. In winter, whenever Koreans experience a temperature change they chirp like robins. It doesn't matter if they are leaving or entering a cold area, if there is someone they know around or if there is someone there at all. In my village I have had the joy of seeing people start the Chua Song when they were seemingly alone and unaware of my presence.

My evil coteacher's petty aggression for last Friday's classes was to be constantly sharpening pencils, distracting the students, for the whole 120-minute afterschool period.

I have since replaced the regular pencil sharpener with one of those mini ones kids keep in their pencil boxes. It is quiet and gets shavings EVERYWHERE, including on one's ugly out-of-season green jacket.

 

The cold think is what I call the "chua" song. In winter, whenever Koreans experience a temperature change they chirp like robins. It doesn't matter if they are leaving or entering a cold area, if there is someone they know around or if there is someone there at all. In my village I have had the joy of seeing people start the Chua Song when they were seemingly alone and unaware of my presence.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBCpVqQUDIY

Has anyone ever noticed that, for the most part, in every school the classrooms are always on the same side of the hallway? In all the schools the classrooms always face south. Is there a reason for that?

All my classrooms face west. But yes, all the corridors are on the same side in all the buildings.

I would suggest that a southern facing residence is usually more desirable as it catches more sun and more light (although eesh.. hot in the summer). Maybe that's the same reasoning for the schools you've been to.

It's one of the little joys of living here. What would normally be diagnosed pathologies are common behaviour here. It gives the place a bit of an acid trip feel to it.

I'm still not sure if this place needs narcotics more than anything else or if availability of drugs would change this place into an apocalyptic mess.

can you imagine if cocaine was easily available here? every salaryman would be constantly jacked up on it all the time to help them 'work'.

Can you imagine the work that they'd gone done! Not!!!!

They already have a decent substitute in soju...and look at how much that is abused over here.

I think we are on to something. What you need is to link the drugs with the Korean social category.

Bosses: Weed and possibly opium. They need to relax and look relaxed. Money's being made, heads are being bowed, respect is being paid lip service to. All is good in the world. Just show mid morning, check that all is spinning well and scoot of at 3. Maybe spend the rest of the afternoon enjoying that view of the Han in their overpriced apartment. Take the Porsche Cayenne for a spin on country roads. All is good is the world.

Salary drones. Coke but with the caveat that they follow the chilled out bosses' orders. They would stay less long but would actually get something done. No one is going to be content chatting idly on Kakao and killing time when they have a sniff of Colombian. It will be necessary to issue temazepams at 5 when they are sent home.

Students: Acid and lots of it before it's too late. Anyone older would be either a waste of time or just give them a very bad trip.

People who care about Dokdo: Ebeneezer Goode.

Good ol' horking, racist, wife-beating ajoshis: Paco, Krokodil, stepped-on heroin. The nastier the better. Anything that takes them to the grave fast.

The one thing that must never appear on these shores is meth. It's cheap, low-rent, nasty and purely chemical. It's basically a more portable version of soju. They would go nuts on it. The country would be devastated

Well, I could be wrong about the Korean citizenship thing. The girl tells me she's Korean and has a Korean passport, but she's 7 years old. It's quite possible she's mistaken and simply repeating what her parents told her.

However, that's not germane to the point is it. What we have is a 16 year old boy and a 7 year old girl. The boy is 100% responsible for both of their welfare and has been for years, The cops know and don't care.

Yeah, that's why I also wrote in my previous post "Regardless, her (and her brother's) situation sounds unfortunate. I wish there was something that could be done to help her and her brother."

The one thing that must never appear on these shores is meth. It's cheap, low-rent, nasty and purely chemical. It's basically a more portable version of soju. They would go nuts on it. The country would be devastated

Oh, I don't know. It's done wonders for the productivity of North Korea!

Weed is ironically not illegal.

DESKWARMING  WHY!

My co-workers have set up a little beauty station and are painting each others nails. I am watching movies on Netflix and playing online games. Just why.....why why why why why why. It's something I'll never understand.

It's vacation time. The school staff trip is setting off in an hour and you would think that we are about to invade the French coast. Phones ringing on the hook, people running all over the place, sighs, tuts and utter signs of stress aplenty. It's great fun for me.

Twice today I was asked if I was busy so twice today I got to smugly point out that next week's camp was planned and ready over a month ago. The kids could show up right now and I would be fine. Maybe, just maybe if they actually did something at work instead of faffing about with fruits, gossiping, online shopping and sucking up to the higher ups they would not be desperately trying to wrap up in a hurry what they had eons to do.

Time is linear, beloved Korean brethren. Start getting used to the concept.

Time is linear, beloved Korean brethren. Start getting used to the concept.

You mean, like an arrow? 

I know exactly what you mean. Everyone is pooping their pants crazy at my school right now and I'm just, like, what? Oh, that's been finished for weeks.

Well, I could be wrong about the Korean citizenship thing. The girl tells me she's Korean and has a Korean passport, but she's 7 years old. It's quite possible she's mistaken and simply repeating what her parents told her.

However, that's not germane to the point is it. What we have is a 16 year old boy and a 7 year old girl. The boy is 100% responsible for both of their welfare and has been for years, The cops know and don't care.

Yeah, that's why I also wrote in my previous post "Regardless, her (and her brother's) situation sounds unfortunate. I wish there was something that could be done to help her and her brother."

I wish I could do something as well, but I know Korean society fairly well, I've been here 5 1/2 years. When I am told it's best not to get involved, I don't get involved. Sadly, it is the right thing to do in this society.