Rotten food, spoiled food, certain under-cooked or raw foods, etc.
How about eating a peanut, if you have a deadly food allergy?
My CT and, if I'm not mistaken, some of the other teachers in the staff room give me a look like I just discovered fire and wrecked Biggie on the mic. Though it's unfortunate, I feel no sympathy for someone too chicken to help themselves and go home to their kids. I didn't even seem like the VP was being intimidating, she just didn't want to be the odd one out.
Aristocrat,You're sharp at navigating Korea, so you know full well that the same cultural "norms" don't apply equally to "the outsider" as they do "the insider".Your coteacher wants to remain in good standing with her vp and principal (some principals and vps can be unbelievably petty and vindictive).Thankfully, we have the luxury of not being held to the same "norms" with regards to these outings and the like.As for not taking sick days, especially during this time of year, your coteacher is right.Finding substitutes a week before the annual exam for teachers is virtually impossible, as all of those people are prepping in the hopes of passing the exam this time around, so they don't have to continue substituting.If she stayed home, it would be a major disruption to the other teachers at your school, as they would be tasked with having to cover her classes.All that said, I think it's great when foreigners can set a positive example, like you did when you stood up to your boss in front of other Korean staff members.I just hope it doesn't negatively impact your plans.
Agreed, reputation is everything here. She's transferring to a new school in Feb though, so I can't see how missing a staff dinner here and there would make much of a difference. Still, we all deal with many disruptive kids. 95% of the time, I'd say the parents are to blame and it's usually that the kids are acting up because they get little to no attention from their parents at home. That CT regularly tells me about it and then goes off to leave her own kids at home till whatever time she gets back.
I just think it's weird to say like, "XYZ food is bad." No food is bad. Food is all good, and it's just our personal preference and background that makes us feel otherwise.
Quote from: HaLo3 on November 24, 2016, 08:45:26 amQuote from: Aristocrat on November 24, 2016, 08:22:39 amAgreed, reputation is everything here. She's transferring to a new school in Feb though, so I can't see how missing a staff dinner here and there would make much of a difference. Still, we all deal with many disruptive kids. 95% of the time, I'd say the parents are to blame and it's usually that the kids are acting up because they get little to no attention from their parents at home. That CT regularly tells me about it and then goes off to leave her own kids at home till whatever time she gets back.Yeah, my first CoT had two kids and I know she would stay late cuz she didn't really want to go home. She told me a few times that she wished she hadn't gotten married and had a family. She would complain when her kids acted up and got in trouble but there is no one to check on them.Years ago, I thought the idea of kids was alright. Now I'm married, both me and the wife have decided not to have kids. Having previously lived in Sweden, I saw the positive side of families spending time together in the evening, with less work and social stress and pressure. Now having been in Korea for a while and experiencing the Korean 'family' thing, it has put me off. I am not saying all countries are great when it comes to why people have families, the Korean way is so off-putting. I know you might say, 'well, your family and their upbringing is up to you and your partner' but the idea just seems to have lost its sparkle. We don't want to lose our identity, we like our time together and don't feel we need a child to make it better. We like our holidays away. We don't need to save money for kids. Like your example shows Halo3, this person is trapped. I would hate that.
Quote from: Aristocrat on November 24, 2016, 08:22:39 amAgreed, reputation is everything here. She's transferring to a new school in Feb though, so I can't see how missing a staff dinner here and there would make much of a difference. Still, we all deal with many disruptive kids. 95% of the time, I'd say the parents are to blame and it's usually that the kids are acting up because they get little to no attention from their parents at home. That CT regularly tells me about it and then goes off to leave her own kids at home till whatever time she gets back.Yeah, my first CoT had two kids and I know she would stay late cuz she didn't really want to go home. She told me a few times that she wished she hadn't gotten married and had a family. She would complain when her kids acted up and got in trouble but there is no one to check on them.
Never really understood the types of people who think having kids is an absolute necessity of life. Some people want kids, some don't. How is that difficult to understand?