Quote from: itsalliecat on December 29, 2016, 08:09:04 amI was just told that because today is the last day before vacation, all teachers are going out for lunch for fish soup and I MUST attend. I really don't like fish. Even though I explained this to my coteachers, they assured me it's okay because "it's not spicy!" No, spicy isn't the problem, it's the fish. Why can't I choose anything else? Just say, "Sorry, I don't really dig on fish. Is it possible to order something small that I can eat?" Your coworkers aren't monsters.
I was just told that because today is the last day before vacation, all teachers are going out for lunch for fish soup and I MUST attend. I really don't like fish. Even though I explained this to my coteachers, they assured me it's okay because "it's not spicy!" No, spicy isn't the problem, it's the fish. Why can't I choose anything else?
I just found out that there's been some talk about the way I dress. I actually don't really dress any differently than any of the other teachers here, but my clothes look different on me because I have a very, very different build. All the same, I'm not showing any skin that would be inappropriate in the Korean workplace, and nothing is tight.While most of the staff and faculty don't see a problem with my clothes, there's a small group who feel like I should "cover up" more, which basically means that they want me to start wearing clothing two sizes too big for me or to wear a jacket constantly throughout the day.Are they ****** kidding me?
Quote from: Chinguetti on December 29, 2016, 08:24:13 amI just found out that there's been some talk about the way I dress. I actually don't really dress any differently than any of the other teachers here, but my clothes look different on me because I have a very, very different build. All the same, I'm not showing any skin that would be inappropriate in the Korean workplace, and nothing is tight.While most of the staff and faculty don't see a problem with my clothes, there's a small group who feel like I should "cover up" more, which basically means that they want me to start wearing clothing two sizes too big for me or to wear a jacket constantly throughout the day.Are they ****** kidding me? One of my friends had a "talking to" when she first got here because of a dress she was wearing. It wasn't revealing (even had sleeves) but the issue was that she had an average bum size which apparently equates to large here. Supposedly [elementary] school boys were complaining that it was distracting, or so sayeth her coT.
I mean, my place is nice, and I only have a 10 million deposit with 500 a month rent. But it's a one room, and I'm tired of having my kitchen in my bedroom. And it's too small to share with a significant other. If you're only looking at one rooms, it's super possible to find modern, clean, and reasonably sized ones for a fairly affordable price.
Quote from: yirj17 on December 29, 2016, 08:52:52 amQuote from: Chinguetti on December 29, 2016, 08:24:13 amI just found out that there's been some talk about the way I dress. I actually don't really dress any differently than any of the other teachers here, but my clothes look different on me because I have a very, very different build. All the same, I'm not showing any skin that would be inappropriate in the Korean workplace, and nothing is tight.While most of the staff and faculty don't see a problem with my clothes, there's a small group who feel like I should "cover up" more, which basically means that they want me to start wearing clothing two sizes too big for me or to wear a jacket constantly throughout the day.Are they ****** kidding me? One of my friends had a "talking to" when she first got here because of a dress she was wearing. It wasn't revealing (even had sleeves) but the issue was that she had an average bum size which apparently equates to large here. Supposedly [elementary] school boys were complaining that it was distracting, or so sayeth her coT.I got a talking to about dresses I wore a few times. One had a sufficiently high neckline, but was fairly form-fitting around the bust, and I was told "you'd better zip up your jacket because the boys are very curious about the woman's body"Uh okAnother time I got in trouble for a dress which has a slit on the side although I was wearing opaque leggings because they could "see my leg" even though I've worn my courdoroy leggings as pants without incident... sigh
Quote from: moonbrie on December 29, 2016, 08:59:23 amQuote from: yirj17 on December 29, 2016, 08:52:52 amQuote from: Chinguetti on December 29, 2016, 08:24:13 amI just found out that there's been some talk about the way I dress. I actually don't really dress any differently than any of the other teachers here, but my clothes look different on me because I have a very, very different build. All the same, I'm not showing any skin that would be inappropriate in the Korean workplace, and nothing is tight.While most of the staff and faculty don't see a problem with my clothes, there's a small group who feel like I should "cover up" more, which basically means that they want me to start wearing clothing two sizes too big for me or to wear a jacket constantly throughout the day.Are they ****** kidding me? One of my friends had a "talking to" when she first got here because of a dress she was wearing. It wasn't revealing (even had sleeves) but the issue was that she had an average bum size which apparently equates to large here. Supposedly [elementary] school boys were complaining that it was distracting, or so sayeth her coT.I got a talking to about dresses I wore a few times. One had a sufficiently high neckline, but was fairly form-fitting around the bust, and I was told "you'd better zip up your jacket because the boys are very curious about the woman's body"Uh okAnother time I got in trouble for a dress which has a slit on the side although I was wearing opaque leggings because they could "see my leg" even though I've worn my courdoroy leggings as pants without incident... sighThe ol' double standard. I have a co-teacher who basically spent half of summer wearing hot pants (at least 80% of her thigh above the knee was visible). Another teacher wears exceptionally tight miniskirts. To be fair, they were both able to pull it off ^^
Quote from: kimchi_mandu on December 29, 2016, 09:05:50 amQuoteI mean, my place is nice, and I only have a 10 million deposit with 500 a month rent. But it's a one room, and I'm tired of having my kitchen in my bedroom. And it's too small to share with a significant other. If you're only looking at one rooms, it's super possible to find modern, clean, and reasonably sized ones for a fairly affordable price.I'm also looking for somewhere with space for a significant other, our stuff and a car. I'm trying to keep costs low though as he actually owns a place (his mother is there and I'm refusing to move in with her ha) and who wants to pay rent when you have somewhere you can live for free? He'll contribute, but I'd rather pay the bulk of it.I hear you on the bedroom/kitchen front. It'd sure be nice to be able to eat dinner somewhere other than sitting on my bed or hear my fridge start up just as I'm drifting off to sleep. I often find as well the pictures of rooms all look okay, newly renovated, then the bathroom or kitchen looks like someone died in it in the 70s and it hasn't been done up since. Wishing us both luck.Yeah. I'm super fussy about not wanting a built-in washer and gas range, too. So that doesn't help. Also, I can't help but imagine a lot of the fancy bling bling remodeled places are just covering up terrible unrepaired stuff behind the walls.
QuoteI mean, my place is nice, and I only have a 10 million deposit with 500 a month rent. But it's a one room, and I'm tired of having my kitchen in my bedroom. And it's too small to share with a significant other. If you're only looking at one rooms, it's super possible to find modern, clean, and reasonably sized ones for a fairly affordable price.I'm also looking for somewhere with space for a significant other, our stuff and a car. I'm trying to keep costs low though as he actually owns a place (his mother is there and I'm refusing to move in with her ha) and who wants to pay rent when you have somewhere you can live for free? He'll contribute, but I'd rather pay the bulk of it.I hear you on the bedroom/kitchen front. It'd sure be nice to be able to eat dinner somewhere other than sitting on my bed or hear my fridge start up just as I'm drifting off to sleep. I often find as well the pictures of rooms all look okay, newly renovated, then the bathroom or kitchen looks like someone died in it in the 70s and it hasn't been done up since. Wishing us both luck.
I also had a talk about how my pants and shirt were too fitted, and my jacket looked too old.
Quote from: #basedcowboyshirt on December 29, 2016, 09:07:43 amI also had a talk about how my pants and shirt were too fitted, and my jacket looked too old.Unless they could see the outline of your junk through your clothes, I don't see why it should matter to them. One time a male teacher tried to advise me not to wear the color orange anymore. He wouldn't give a reason why but I later learned it was because he didn't think the color was professional enough. Meanwhile, he shows up to school wearing green slacks and a neon-purple shirt. I ended up purchasing three more orange shirts and blouses to wear just at this particular school. Some of these busybodies really need to learn a thing or two about etiquette and not confusing personal tastes for appropriate clothing.
Quote from: #basedcowboyshirt on December 29, 2016, 08:21:44 amQuote from: itsalliecat on December 29, 2016, 08:09:04 amI was just told that because today is the last day before vacation, all teachers are going out for lunch for fish soup and I MUST attend. I really don't like fish. Even though I explained this to my coteachers, they assured me it's okay because "it's not spicy!" No, spicy isn't the problem, it's the fish. Why can't I choose anything else? Just say, "Sorry, I don't really dig on fish. Is it possible to order something small that I can eat?" Your coworkers aren't monsters.Yeah I asked that too, but the answer was no. Apparently I'm not allowed to go out and get something on my own either. So soup it is for me then....I hope the sides are decent.
If there's one thing people love to do, it's nitpick and micromanage. I hate slippers. It's just a thing. I don't like people seeing my socks. Gross. That's personal.So, I bought a pair of nice Sperry slip-ons to use as my school shoes. They never go outside, they're indoor only, etc etc. And I had multiple people comment about how 'in Korea we don't wear shoes inside.' Then I explained to them, and they stopped. But yeah. The side-eye is strong here. Or if you're male, heaven forbid you show up to work after skipping a day of shaving.I had a talking to from a teacher that I spoke too slowly to students when I was teaching. And another teacher a few days later complained that I spoke too quickly, even though I've never changed my 'public speaking / teaching' voice speed or cadence. Peeps love to complain.
Quote from: #basedcowboyshirt on December 29, 2016, 09:07:43 amI also had a talk about how my pants and shirt were too fitted, and my jacket looked too old.Unless they could see the outline of your junk through your clothes, I don't see why it should matter to them. One time a male teacher tried to advise me not to wear the color orange anymore. He wouldn't give a reason why but I later learned it was because he didn't think the color was professional enough. Meanwhile, he shows up to school wearing green slacks and a neon-purple shirt. I ended up purchasing three more orange shirts and blouses to wear just at this particular school.Some of these busybodies really need to learn a thing or two about etiquette and not confusing personal tastes for appropriate clothing.