RANTING/VENTING MEGATHREAD 3.0

no it's not. my point is that they smoke next to smoking signs even though they know the signs are there. just like people stand on the walking side of the escalator when they know people are behind them and want to walk up, or go through a red light when they know they should stop, or drive their motorbike on the pavement, etc, etc

but it all comes down to the fact they know they can get away with it. nobody calls them out on their shitty behaviour, and they know they aren't going to get a ticket for smoking in the wrong place or driving on the pavement

1) As far as smoking, the perception that smoking is being overlegislated influences smokers to not respect those boundaries. When you put no-smoking signs EVERYWHERE, including where smokers used to congregate, you're going to get people who just say "eff it" to what is seen as a nuisance law by them. That and chemical addiction leads to lawbreaking behavior.

Also, not all of those non-smoking signs are actually that enforceable. "Hello Police, there is someone next to the GS25 in Wherever-dong who is smoking next to the no smoking sign. Please send someone immediately." WTF do you want them to do? Immediately dispatch a squad car to deal with someone who will likely be gone by the time they get there? Demand that the cops dust the area for prints and take in butts to have them DNA tested down at the crime lab? Have a cop on permanent duty by the spot? A lot of cops themselves are smokers and they probably see some of the smoking regulations as about as ridiculous as Prohibition.

Finally, if you look at the areas where it IS a big deal not to smoke, like the designated streets in certain neighborhoods, people are pretty good about NOT smoking there.

2) For every person I see that blocks the escalator, there are like, hundreds that let things flow. And as someone who lives near a heavily-foreigner populated subway station, it's not just Koreans who do it.

it's getting better, yeah. the people that walk on the street and smoke are the worst. nobody who walks behind you wants to constantly get hit in the face with your second hand smoke, mate. most signs are there for a reason though. perhaps someone put one up because people smoke directly under their window (used to happen to me). it's just a lack of consideration that bugs me, really (not just smoking- most things here)

and i'm not saying it's just koreans that block the escalator. where did you get that from?

Old computer was working OK. Was replaced by a new one with a 2019 decal. New computer is slow and crashes a lot. Any ideas as to what could be causing that?

Old computer was working OK. Was replaced by a new one with a 2019 decal. New computer is slow and crashes a lot. Any ideas as to what could be causing that?

Vice-Principal looking at porn/gambling websites.

Old computer was working OK. Was replaced by a new one with a 2019 decal. New computer is slow and crashes a lot. Any ideas as to what could be causing that?

Any number of issues.

A 2019 sticker means absolutely nothing, computers are assembled, not made. Does the sticker imply that the PC was assembled in 2019? Even if that's the case, you could simply assemble it from old hardware, crappy hardware, weak hardware relative to the tasks you're doing.

Most likely, it's a software issue and probably Korean plugins, bloatware and "anti-virus" software bogging down already limited RAM and a weak CPU.

- Check what processes are running in the background and close any unnecessary ones
- Check which programmes run at startup and disable them
- Check to see that you have enough HDD space (my CTs PC has been running on 500mb of free space and about 200 icons on
  her desktop for the past year)
- Do a virus, malware, bloatware and adware scan with a proper virus checker

The radiator is set at 30 Degrees (86F) today in the office area that I share with about 4 other people.  I get that it's chilly out, but do we need to be tropical indoors? During the summer when we didn't use the AC to "save on electricity costs," I was all in because a little sweat won't hurt me. Why aren't we using the same logic during the winter? Heat up to 21-23 and if you're still cold put on a sweater! I don't know, maybe I'm turning into my father

The radiator is set at 30 Degrees (86F) today in the office area.

Same here.

Why does the setting go up that high?

Even number?

There's no need for heating to go above 22 degrees.

Sometimes a student or teacher is cold and will thus turn on the heat to the highest setting (and forget about it).

Temperature set to 30  with the door open is so wasteful.

The radiator is set at 30 Degrees (86F) today in the office area that I share with about 4 other people.  I get that it's chilly out, but do we need to be tropical indoors? During the summer when we didn't use the AC to "save on electricity costs," I was all in because a little sweat won't hurt me. Why aren't we using the same logic during the winter? Heat up to 21-23 and if you're still cold put on a sweater! I don't know, maybe I'm turning into my father

I sweat more in the winter here than in summer

Think of all the natural resources being used to make that heat.

Turn down the thermostat setting if you get a chance.

Try to convince others to do the same.

No sweat lodge at my school. The thermostat's set to 20 in my office, and a fair percentage of the teachers here are unfamiliar with the concept of closing the door when they enter a room. I miss being in my old office, where my desk was close enough to the door that I could just scoot over a bit, reach out, and close it without getting up.

No sweat lodge at my school. The thermostat's set to 20 in my office, and a fair percentage of the teachers here are unfamiliar with the concept of closing the door when they enter a room. I miss being in my old office, where my desk was close enough to the door that I could just scoot over a bit, reach out, and close it without getting up.

Yeah this is the second school i have been at where they have replaced the standard door that would always close by itself with a sliding door that often will stay open unless you push it closed. In winter a cold draft with come into the room with the door open. I seem to be the only one who will ever get up and close it.

We have no heat and I think they won't turn it on until December 1st. Not so bad yesterday and today, but the first half of the week it was like an ice box. I could see my breath while teaching. I would much prefer to go without heat in the winter than AC in the summer, though.

The radiator is set at 30 Degrees (86F) today in the office area that I share with about 4 other people.  I get that it's chilly out, but do we need to be tropical indoors? During the summer when we didn't use the AC to "save on electricity costs," I was all in because a little sweat won't hurt me. Why aren't we using the same logic during the winter? Heat up to 21-23 and if you're still cold put on a sweater! I don't know, maybe I'm turning into my father

I sweat more in the winter here than in summer

Lol so true. 

Going shopping in Homeplus during the winter months?  Right, pop your shorts on.

Lol so true. 

Going shopping in Homeplus during the winter months?  Right, pop your shorts on.

Haha man can relate  The only reason I want to get a car in Korea is so that I can avoid the hell that buses become in winter.

Ulsan is cutting all public school NETs.

That’s a big city, too. Population: over a million.

Very rich city, too. According to Wikipedia: “In 2017, Ulsan had a GDP per capita of $65,093, the highest of any region in South Korea.”

But because of budgetary constraints, they can no longer afford NETs.

Seems to me like they just don’t want them.

Ulsan is cutting all public school NETs.

That’s a big city, too. Population: over a million.

Very rich city, too. According to Wikipedia: “In 2017, Ulsan had a GDP per capita of $65,093, the highest of any region in South Korea.”

But because of budgetary constraints, they can no longer afford NETs.

Seems to me like they just don’t want them.

Yeah quite worrying but not all jobs are gone.

https://news.v.daum.net/v/20191124173029753

42 NET positions out of 147 will be cut due to budgetary restraints and reallocation.  Money to be used elsewhere - expanding free lunches, free school uniform for middle and high school students next year.

The only thing that annoys me is HomePlus checkout—bagging your own groceries, while unlocking your phone to show the points card thing, while paying. And then she looks at you like "yah, bali bali."

Hey, we don't have that many hands!!!

I just saw a car in traffic, with both side mirrors folded in. Changing lanes and all. Mind blowing...

I really dislike when a teacher in the school gives out gifts, food, invitations to events or weddings, or anything unimportant to all other teachers, but then walks right past me without saying anything or offering said thing to me. Like it's fine don't invite me to your wedding because you don't want me there or don't know how to ask me.....but when you are offering food etc it's pretty rude....at least make it less obvious. I  am a foreigner yes, but I am a person just like you. Also, hate when coteachers are so condescending....it's like I have a degree just like you too and although I may not understand Korea or Korean 100% I'm not stupid.

I really dislike when a teacher in the school gives out gifts, food, invitations to events or weddings, or anything unimportant to all other teachers, but then walks right past me without saying anything or offering said thing to me. Like it's fine don't invite me to your wedding because you don't want me there or don't know how to ask me.....but when you are offering food etc it's pretty rude....at least make it less obvious. I  am a foreigner yes, but I am a person just like you. Also, hate when coteachers are so condescending....it's like I have a degree just like you too and although I may not understand Korea or Korean 100% I'm not stupid.

Ehhh, it's not that simple. In some cases there's a distinction made between teachers and other employees. Some of this has to do with union membership and such. They simply have the number based on that list and buy accordingly. Then there's also the cycle of obligation that might go with it and so on and so on.

You're a contracted temp worker. You are not the same. And be thankful because that also lets you get out of a host of functions and obligations that I would give up 20 boxes of towels/cooking oil/tuna/weddings where I have to give 50k/events that ruin my weekend/etc.

If you're going to be a part of it, everything has to come with it. Not just the good, but the bad as well.

Ulsan is cutting all public school NETs.

That’s a big city, too. Population: over a million.

Very rich city, too. According to Wikipedia: “In 2017, Ulsan had a GDP per capita of $65,093, the highest of any region in South Korea.”

But because of budgetary constraints, they can no longer afford NETs.

Seems to me like they just don’t want them.

Yeah quite worrying but not all jobs are gone.

https://news.v.daum.net/v/20191124173029753

42 NET positions out of 147 will be cut due to budgetary restraints and reallocation.  Money to be used elsewhere - expanding free lunches, free school uniform for middle and high school students next year.

I threw that link into the translator.


The Ulsan Metropolitan Office of Education has decided to gradually reduce the number of native English teachers from next year. The education office attributed the decrease to the reduced funding due to the Ulsan city government's tight budget, but it has decided to expand the free school uniform support project by injecting some 2.3 billion won into the city's budget starting next year, and plans to continue the eco-friendly free school meal project. Critics say the liberal education chief, Roh Ok-hee, who took office in July, will only fuel private education as he turns a blind eye to easy education by sticking to the pretext of "expanding educational welfare."

According to the Ulsan Metropolitan Office of Education on Monday, 42 out of 147 native English-speaking teachers will not renew their contracts. The education office will gradually reduce the number of native English teachers, saying, "It is unclear whether we will secure the budget." Regarding the reduction of native English-speaking assistant teachers, the city education office said, "This is because the city of Ulsan has decided to provide only 500 million won, down 2.5 billion won from 3 billion won last year, due to a reduction in tax revenues." Accordingly, next year's budget for supporting native English teachers will total 4 billion won, including 3.5 billion won in the education office, which is about 700 million won more than last year, down 1.8 billion won from 5.8 billion won last year. It also explained that instead of reducing the number of native English-speaking assistant teachers, the city education office decided to allocate 800 million won for the budget for enhancing the capabilities of Korean English teachers to create a "Ulsan-type English education" model. "We will strengthen our English teachers' capabilities and develop and share good teaching methods," said an official from the Ulsan Metropolitan Office of Education.

While reducing the budget for native English-speaking teachers, the Ulsan Metropolitan Government and the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education decided to spend a total of 5.6 billion won to provide middle and high school students with summer and winter uniforms free of charge starting next year, up 3.3 billion won from this year. The free school uniform project is designed to provide uniform and uniform uniforms for new students entering middle and high schools, a pledge project by Roh. Until now, the city education office has provided 50 percent of the upper limit of 250,000 won for ordinary students, and 100 percent for low-income and multi-child students. Although the city education office conducted the school uniform support project with 3.2 billion won (approx. 3 million U.S. dollars) in its own budget this year, Ulsan City and five districts and counties will provide an additional 2.2 billion won (2.4 million dollars) from next year.

The city education office will continue its eco-friendly free school lunch program next year following this year Regarding eco-friendly free school meals, the city of Ulsan implemented free school meals from September 2018 to high schools, and started to provide eco-friendly meals this year. The related budget for next year also increased by 4 billion won from this year to 86.4 billion won, including 60.9 billion won from the municipal education office and 25.5 billion won from Ulsan city, county and district. Due to this reason, the amount of money that Ulsan City and five districts and counties will provide to education offices has also increased from 91.5 billion won this year to 96 billion won next year.

In and around the city of Ulsan, the city education office seems to have pushed for a drastic expansion of the budget related to Roh's pledges, instead of cutting the budget for native English teachers during budget consultations. "The decision was made based on internal circumstances of the education office during the consultation with the education office," a city official said. In response, Ulsan Metropolitan Office of Education said, "We will not sign contracts for 42 people whose contracts expire in February next year, but we will continue to take charge of the rest," adding, "We are not quitting the system at all."

Local parents are divided over the news. Some parents expect free school uniforms to reduce the financial burden. Others, on the other hand, worry that the city's education office will eventually be forced into the private education market if public English education becomes poor. The budget bill will be finalized on April 13 after a review by the city council. /Ulsan: Zhang Ji-seung