RANTING/VENTING MEGATHREAD 3.0

What I don't get are people who don't wear their seatbelts just because they're riding in a taxi. Like, I've met so many people who reflexively put their seatbelts on any time they're in a car, but when it's a taxi they just skip it. Like, I don't understand. It makes no sense to me.

I've heard that this was a bad habit created in Korea partly because a lot of the taxi drivers would cover up the seatbelt buckles with those seat covers and get super pissed-off if you tried to get the buckles out from under them (even though there are slots specifically for the seatbelt buckles in those covers). People just got tired of fighting with them.

I don't ride the taxi enough to be affected by this, I've always just dug the buckle out -- sometimes a driver might give me a look, but they'd never say anything.

These days, though, I've found that the buckles are uncovered and available to use in most taxis (not sure if there was some kind of public outcry or new legislation that forced taxi drivers to comply with safety regulations or whatever), but I think a lot of people are still not using them partly out of old habit.

The rest of it, I think, is just a false belief that the backseat is "safe." Or just not having the muscle-memory instilled in them whenever they're not the driver (i.e. it doesn't occur to them to put on a seatbelt if they're not the one behind the wheel).

Anyone know the Korean equivalent of "Occupied!" when you're using the bathroom and someone knocks or tries to open the door? I need something to yell the next time the cleaning lady inevitably comes in when I'm using the bathroom. Shouting in English clearly has no effect  .

Anyone know the Korean equivalent of "Occupied!" when you're using the bathroom and someone knocks or tries to open the door? I need something to yell the next time the cleaning lady inevitably comes in when I'm using the bathroom. Shouting in English clearly has no effect  .

엿 먹어 means "to eat toffee." It means that the toffee will stick in their digestive system and slow down THEIR poo, so they can wait longer. It's a traditional way of saying, "wait for the bathroom, it you would."

Anyone know the Korean equivalent of "Occupied!" when you're using the bathroom and someone knocks or tries to open the door? I need something to yell the next time the cleaning lady inevitably comes in when I'm using the bathroom. Shouting in English clearly has no effect  .

At orientation we were told to just knock back lol. I guess there's an unspoken rule that you don't speak in that situation. You just knock.

Anyone know the Korean equivalent of "Occupied!" when you're using the bathroom and someone knocks or tries to open the door? I need something to yell the next time the cleaning lady inevitably comes in when I'm using the bathroom. Shouting in English clearly has no effect  .

I always just knock on the door and that stops them. Does this not work for you?

Anyone know the Korean equivalent of "Occupied!" when you're using the bathroom and someone knocks or tries to open the door? I need something to yell the next time the cleaning lady inevitably comes in when I'm using the bathroom. Shouting in English clearly has no effect  .

I always just knock on the door and that stops them. Does this not work for you?

That isn't really an option, because she comes in to the main part of the bathroom to start cleaning while I'm using stall. That means she can't see anything, thankfully, but it's still just weird to me to have a woman tooling around in the bathroom while I'm in a stall trying to get things done.

Anyone know the Korean equivalent of "Occupied!" when you're using the bathroom and someone knocks or tries to open the door? I need something to yell the next time the cleaning lady inevitably comes in when I'm using the bathroom. Shouting in English clearly has no effect  .

I always just knock on the door and that stops them. Does this not work for you?

That isn't really an option, because she comes in to the main part of the bathroom to start cleaning while I'm using stall. That means she can't see anything, thankfully, but it's still just weird to me to have a woman tooling around in the bathroom while I'm in a stall trying to get things done.

Oh, thought you meant she was trying to get into your stall. xD

Anyone know the Korean equivalent of "Occupied!" when you're using the bathroom and someone knocks or tries to open the door? I need something to yell the next time the cleaning lady inevitably comes in when I'm using the bathroom. Shouting in English clearly has no effect  .

I always just knock on the door and that stops them. Does this not work for you?

That isn't really an option, because she comes in to the main part of the bathroom to start cleaning while I'm using stall. That means she can't see anything, thankfully, but it's still just weird to me to have a woman tooling around in the bathroom while I'm in a stall trying to get things done.

Korea is actually a pioneer when it comes to trans-bathroom/unisex bathroom initiatives. I see people who present as women all the time in the men's rooms here. Very progressive.

I know it’s kinda stupid to seek out advice on a forum, so I guess this is sort of a rant but any advice would be welcome.

I’m going on my 6th year here and I am totally regretting signing this last year. For personal and financial reasons it made sense for me to do it at the time. I do plan to end my contract early, but it will be in mid December so I won’t be putting my school in a bad spot. I have discussed this with one CT that I do trust and she seems to be ok with it. But i have not made it known formally. To be fair, they have been very good to me over the years. I won’t mention the specifics because there are a bunch of snitches out there. For this reason, I feel like I should honor my word about stickin it out for another semester.

In the recent weeks this has taken a toll on me mentally ever since I have been dippin into job searching back home. I just feel like I am missing out on opportunities and sacrificing good gigs back home just because I gave them my word. I have had to already decline on 2 teaching interviews and there are some state gov. jobs I have a good chance of getting but might not be there when they are available. All because I’m stuck in this dump for another 6 months. I have become totally resentful of this place. Half of me just wants to tell them that I just can’t do it anymore. 

Anyone know the Korean equivalent of "Occupied!" when you're using the bathroom and someone knocks or tries to open the door? I need something to yell the next time the cleaning lady inevitably comes in when I'm using the bathroom. Shouting in English clearly has no effect  .

I always just knock on the door and that stops them. Does this not work for you?

That isn't really an option, because she comes in to the main part of the bathroom to start cleaning while I'm using stall. That means she can't see anything, thankfully, but it's still just weird to me to have a woman tooling around in the bathroom while I'm in a stall trying to get things done.

Korea is actually a pioneer when it comes to trans-bathroom/unisex bathroom initiatives. I see people who present as women all the time in the men's rooms here. Very progressive.

Happens everywhere. The first thing one should do when arriving at a new workplace is scope out the best bathroom, know the cleaning schedules etc.
This is serious business.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBah7gfB6jc

@todd: Honestly, while I'm really big about keeping your promises, life is about concessions, especially where jobs are concerned. Sometimes you've got to make a tough decision based around the priorities that are most important at that time. Put it this way, the school can more easily live temporarily without a NET than you can live missing out on career opportunities. If the job market is tough and these opportunities are short-lived, you've got to do what you got to do. A lot of people won't agree with me and will tell you that other opportunities will come along, and that may be true. Or it may not be. You've got to make that call.

Me, though, if the right opportunity came along, I would definitely break my own contract in order to pursue it (doesn't mean I wouldn't feel bad about it, but the fact that the school could live just fine without me helps ease me into that decision). This is your life here, and you're not exactly screwing anyone out of their life ambition in order to pursue your own.

With that being said, there are some things you might be able to do to make your own decision a little bit easier. Is it possible to help the school to find a replacement? Would the school accept a replacement?

I know it’s kinda stupid to seek out advice on a forum, so I guess this is sort of a rant but any advice would be welcome.

I’m going on my 6th year here and I am totally regretting signing this last year. For personal and financial reasons it made sense for me to do it at the time. I do plan to end my contract early, but it will be in mid December so I won’t be putting my school in a bad spot. I have discussed this with one CT that I do trust and she seems to be ok with it. But i have not made it known formally. To be fair, they have been very good to me over the years. I won’t mention the specifics because there are a bunch of snitches out there. For this reason, I feel like I should honor my word about stickin it out for another semester.

In the recent weeks this has taken a toll on me mentally ever since I have been dippin into job searching back home. I just feel like I am missing out on opportunities and sacrificing good gigs back home just because I gave them my word. I have had to already decline on 2 teaching interviews and there are some state gov. jobs I have a good chance of getting but might not be there when they are available. All because I’m stuck in this dump for another 6 months. I have become totally resentful of this place. Half of me just wants to tell them that I just can’t do it anymore.

you are absolutely bonkers to pass on opportunities back home just to do another semester here. especially when you know you're leaving at the end of this contract.

take those opportunities now.

if you leave at the end of this semester the school will get a new wonamin and within a few months or even weeks you will be forgotten. that's the reality.

we're not permanent teachers. we are transients on 1 year contracts. they can't be surprised if you leave early.

Anyone know the Korean equivalent of "Occupied!" when you're using the bathroom and someone knocks or tries to open the door? I need something to yell the next time the cleaning lady inevitably comes in when I'm using the bathroom. Shouting in English clearly has no effect  .

엿 먹어 means "to eat toffee." It means that the toffee will stick in their digestive system and slow down THEIR poo, so they can wait longer. It's a traditional way of saying, "wait for the bathroom, it you would."

I'm sure CO2 is trying to be funny, but don't say "엿 먹어" to her, as that means/translates to  F**K OFF!

@todd: Honestly, while I'm really big about keeping your promises, life is about concessions, especially where jobs are concerned. Sometimes you've got to make a tough decision based around the priorities that are most important at that time. Put it this way, the school can more easily live temporarily without a NET than you can live missing out on career opportunities. If the job market is tough and these opportunities are short-lived, you've got to do what you got to do. A lot of people won't agree with me and will tell you that other opportunities will come along, and that may be true. Or it may not be. You've got to make that call.

Me, though, if the right opportunity came along, I would definitely break my own contract in order to pursue it (doesn't mean I wouldn't feel bad about it, but the fact that the school could live just fine without me helps ease me into that decision). This is your life here, and you're not exactly screwing anyone out of their life ambition in order to pursue your own.

With that being said, there are some things you might be able to do to make your own decision a little bit easier. Is it possible to help the school to find a replacement? Would the school accept a replacement?

Chinguetti. Thanks for the encouraging words. If i came back in August and gave them my 60 days i dont know wat kind of replacement they could find, but wat choice would they have. A non related issue is that my vp and veteran teacher gave me fantastic letters of rec. Me bailing out would be a huge stab in the back. I know, im a fu&*in idiot for staying here.

Anyone know the Korean equivalent of "Occupied!" when you're using the bathroom and someone knocks or tries to open the door? I need something to yell the next time the cleaning lady inevitably comes in when I'm using the bathroom. Shouting in English clearly has no effect  .

엿 먹어 means "to eat toffee." It means that the toffee will stick in their digestive system and slow down THEIR poo, so they can wait longer. It's a traditional way of saying, "wait for the bathroom, it you would."

엿 먹어 means Shut the Fook up!  as in, occupy your mouth.  Shouting this will do you no favours!

Yeah, it's a good thing I looked it up to double-check, because I thought he was actually trying to be helpful and I'd have genuinely used it. 

Note to self: Don't accept advice from CO2.

So, is there a reason for knocking?

They do it on the airplane, too, though it is plain to see that it is occupied.

I've never heard of any other culture of people doing that before.

Any guesses?

So, is there a reason for knocking?

They do it on the airplane, too, though it is plain to see that it is occupied.

I've never heard of any other culture of people doing that before.

Any guesses?

I would guess that it's to let the occupant know that there's somebody waiting for them  so stop playing with your phone and get off the pot.

Does anyone else feel like their co-teachers  are rearranging your schedule merely to convenience themselves? There's one day a week where I teach with all homeroom teachers, and every single week, someone reschedules their class from the morning to my-normally-free final afternoon slot. I swear, at this point they're just rotating who gets to dump their monsters on me final period because they sure aren't coming to class.

Yes. I know it's petty, but I wish I could just start rearranging my schedule because of a minor inconvenience and see how they like it.

Rant at myself: I don't know what I'm doing for summer vacation. I'm hoping to go to a place that's not too far but also not too hot. Maybe northern Japan?