RANTING/VENTING MEGATHREAD 3.0

We have name tags and mine says I'm a scholarship student so my younger kids don't call me "teacher" anymore. It's always a super mocking tone when they say "장학생" so I just stopped wearing my tag altogether. Nobody said anything to me about it so I guess refusal does work lol

I was given a name tag a few weeks ago (after being the only one to not receive one from the beginning of the semester). I wore it for one day, forgot about it and haven't worn it since. Nobody has said anything to me about it either.

Switching between a Windows and Mac, using the same monitor and (Apple) keyboard means I get {Ctrl} and {Command} right less that 50% of the time.

I need to get the printer drivers set up on my work laptop!

I really don't know how much more of this I can take. Took  Friday off for bed rest, came back today feeling a little bit better knowing that I had to come prep my materials and clean my classroom for my open class tomorrow, and as I'm cleaning two boys just frisbee the bathroom sign into my room and throw a bloody tissue in my room too. They actually broke the sign off of the wall to hurl it into my classroom. Went to go see what happened and just see them taking off down the hall. There's no CCTV and I have no clue who they were.

I really have no idea what I did to deserve being disrespected constantly by these kids. If I knew what I did and I knew I deserved it I could handle it but I can't think of anything I've done to anybody.

I really don't know how much more of this I can take. Took  Friday off for bed rest, came back today feeling a little bit better knowing that I had to come prep my materials and clean my classroom for my open class tomorrow, and as I'm cleaning two boys just frisbee the bathroom sign into my room and throw a bloody tissue in my room too. They actually broke the sign off of the wall to hurl it into my classroom. Went to go see what happened and just see them taking off down the hall. There's no CCTV and I have no clue who they were.

I really have no idea what I did to deserve being disrespected constantly by these kids. If I knew what I did and I knew I deserved it I could handle it but I can't think of anything I've done to anybody.

You really can't think of anything you've done to deserve this?

We have name tags and mine says I'm a scholarship student...

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I hope you don't mind me making light of your situation. It sounds terrible and I hope things somehow turn around for you.

I really don't know how much more of this I can take. Took  Friday off for bed rest, came back today feeling a little bit better knowing that I had to come prep my materials and clean my classroom for my open class tomorrow, and as I'm cleaning two boys just frisbee the bathroom sign into my room and throw a bloody tissue in my room too. They actually broke the sign off of the wall to hurl it into my classroom. Went to go see what happened and just see them taking off down the hall. There's no CCTV and I have no clue who they were.

I really have no idea what I did to deserve being disrespected constantly by these kids. If I knew what I did and I knew I deserved it I could handle it but I can't think of anything I've done to anybody.

Did you have that meeting yet?

Just stay strong. Keep doing your job and try not to let it get to you too much mentally, they are kids so yeah they are being rude and it's unacceptable  but it usually isn't personally against you. It's likely they just hate teachers/english and/or are playing up.

I really don't know how much more of this I can take. Took  Friday off for bed rest, came back today feeling a little bit better knowing that I had to come prep my materials and clean my classroom for my open class tomorrow, and as I'm cleaning two boys just frisbee the bathroom sign into my room and throw a bloody tissue in my room too. They actually broke the sign off of the wall to hurl it into my classroom. Went to go see what happened and just see them taking off down the hall. There's no CCTV and I have no clue who they were.

I really have no idea what I did to deserve being disrespected constantly by these kids. If I knew what I did and I knew I deserved it I could handle it but I can't think of anything I've done to anybody.

I don't know you or your situation so I'm just spitballing.

If you honestly haven't done anything to offend, you've become part of Korea's national sport, bullying.
Korea has a massive problem with bullying, with kids and adults.
If you're seen as different, meek and weak in some way, you're walking around with a massive bull's-eye on your head.

You seem to have a lot of issues at your workplace, just request a transfer for the next semester.

I really don't know how much more of this I can take. Took  Friday off for bed rest, came back today feeling a little bit better knowing that I had to come prep my materials and clean my classroom for my open class tomorrow, and as I'm cleaning two boys just frisbee the bathroom sign into my room and throw a bloody tissue in my room too. They actually broke the sign off of the wall to hurl it into my classroom. Went to go see what happened and just see them taking off down the hall. There's no CCTV and I have no clue who they were.

I really have no idea what I did to deserve being disrespected constantly by these kids. If I knew what I did and I knew I deserved it I could handle it but I can't think of anything I've done to anybody.

I'm sure it's nothing personal against you; these kids do these things to anybody who they think they can get away with. Don't think of it is as you doing something wrong (it's the society doing wrong by everyone else here). Keep your chin up, we're rooting for you!

Has anybody else got a notice from the folks at Korean statistics (I forget their official name) wanting to do a voluntary interview about various aspects of being an immigrant in Korea? I received a letter by post with all the information outlined in it (with 100% correct English! Shocked the Hell out of me). I was on the side of doing the interview but now I'm less inclined. The individual pursuing me for an interviewer turned up, without warning, at a bad time (I was just about to get in the shower after exercising) then proceeded to bang on my door for ages like she was heading a SWAT raid. Pretty annoying but eventually she left a card on the doorknob with her details. She won't stop calling (I think... spam calls are a problem ever since I joined a few Korean shopping websites) and she just rang the head of English at my school. Said teacher then comes to my classroom to give me her number (I have it already) and tell me I must ring her. After standing and staring at me I realize she means right now so I politely say 'no' (cue look of shock and possibly outrage). I AM BUSY. YOU CAN SEE ME WORKING 

I'm sure this isn't just a Korean thing but it's making me annoyed how people just assume they're entitled to your time. Last year when I was home sick with a cold and laryngitis somebody banged on my front door for so long and so loudly I assumed it was an emergency. Nope, just 2 ajummas who wanted me to join their cult (and to ask me if I was Russian  ) How often are people banging on my front door when I'm not home?

Last part of the rant: text messaging exists. Doesn't nobody remember? I'd message this lady saying I'm not interested but I'm pretty sure it'll be followed immediately by a phone call and then demands that I justify why I'm not interested in being interviewed. OR perhaps I'm being too pessimistic.

Tl;Dr: needy and demanding strangers are annoying.

I AM BUSY. YOU CAN SEE ME WORKING 

I'm sure this isn't just a Korean thing but it's making me annoyed how people just assume they're entitled to your time. Last year when I was home sick with a cold and laryngitis somebody banged on my front door for so long and so loudly I assumed it was an emergency. Nope, just 2 ajummas who wanted me to join their cult (and to ask me if I was Russian  ) How often are people banging on my front door when I'm not home?

I think this goes along with the Korean expectation of always being flexible (which is still VERY annoying). When something comes up, like I need to make an important visit to the bank or get important documents, my co-teacher will insist we do it immediately after she's just told me about it. These are the types of things that take hours mind you, and will take a huge chunk out of the remaining day after school. Nevermind asking "Are you busy?" or "Do you have any plans today?"

As a person who likes to know things ahead of time and be prepared, it's extremely frustrating.

I'm glad it's not just me! Do you ever feel like you're being gas-lit by an entire country?

I AM BUSY. YOU CAN SEE ME WORKING 

I'm sure this isn't just a Korean thing but it's making me annoyed how people just assume they're entitled to your time. Last year when I was home sick with a cold and laryngitis somebody banged on my front door for so long and so loudly I assumed it was an emergency. Nope, just 2 ajummas who wanted me to join their cult (and to ask me if I was Russian  ) How often are people banging on my front door when I'm not home?

I think this goes along with the Korean expectation of always being flexible (which is still VERY annoying). When something comes up, like I need to make an important visit to the bank or get important documents, my co-teacher will insist we do it immediately after she's just told me about it. These are the types of things that take hours mind you, and will take a huge chunk out of the remaining day after school. Nevermind asking "Are you busy?" or "Do you have any plans today?"

As a person who likes to know things ahead of time and be prepared, it's extremely frustrating.

it's related to narcissim. not respecting other's time and boundaries. i think i wrote a long post on here a while back about how a ton of stuff in korean society can easily be explained by narcissim. edit~ here it is: http://www.waygook.org/index.php?topic=112388.msg745549#msg745549

as an aside, i've also mentioned before i've moved to china. when i had to open my bank account here, i got asked at what time and on what day i wanted to do it. the person who came with to help me organized their schedule around mine.

I really have no idea what I did to deserve being disrespected constantly by these kids.

you weren't born a korean. sorry.

I'm glad it's not just me! Do you ever feel like you're being gas-lit by an entire country?

Totally.
I'm now not entirely certain whether or not Italy actually invented the pizza:
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiLA6Bk_ivs)
...or that the Wright Brothers invented the first aeroplane capable of self-sustaining flight:
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nX_g0I1Pyk)
... or even if I can speak English properly:
("No kyndo teacher, it's pronounced 아-이-스-크-림!"

I AM BUSY. YOU CAN SEE ME WORKING 

I'm sure this isn't just a Korean thing but it's making me annoyed how people just assume they're entitled to your time. Last year when I was home sick with a cold and laryngitis somebody banged on my front door for so long and so loudly I assumed it was an emergency. Nope, just 2 ajummas who wanted me to join their cult (and to ask me if I was Russian  ) How often are people banging on my front door when I'm not home?

I think this goes along with the Korean expectation of always being flexible (which is still VERY annoying). When something comes up, like I need to make an important visit to the bank or get important documents, my co-teacher will insist we do it immediately after she's just told me about it. These are the types of things that take hours mind you, and will take a huge chunk out of the remaining day after school. Nevermind asking "Are you busy?" or "Do you have any plans today?"

As a person who likes to know things ahead of time and be prepared, it's extremely frustrating.

it's related to narcissim. not respecting other's time and boundaries. i think i wrote a long post on here a while back about how a ton of stuff in korean society can easily be explained by narcissim. edit~ here it is: http://www.waygook.org/index.php?topic=112388.msg745549#msg745549

as an aside, i've also mentioned before i've moved to china. when i had to open my bank account here, i got asked at what time and on what day i wanted to do it. the person who came with to help me organized their schedule around mine.

That post was eye-opening, and not surprising at the same time.

I'm glad it's not just me! Do you ever feel like you're being gas-lit by an entire country?

Totally.
I'm now not entirely certain whether or not Italy actually invented the pizza:
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiLA6Bk_ivs)
...or that the Wright Brothers invented the first aeroplane capable of self-sustaining flight:
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nX_g0I1Pyk)
... or even if I can speak English properly:
("No kyndo teacher, it's pronounced 아-이-스-크-림!"

Can I get some milk for my coffee?

Not possible.

I'm now not entirely certain whether or not Italy actually invented the pizza:
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiLA6Bk_ivs)

We think this was the first bread stick promotion.

We think this was the first bread stick promotion.

But didn't you know? The very first promotion of all time was Korean! I mean, why else did they beat the Gutenberg printing press by 50 years? (which makes the Jikji printer the most important invention of all time to date, by the way)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVDsKRb9WPA

I AM BUSY. YOU CAN SEE ME WORKING 

I'm sure this isn't just a Korean thing but it's making me annoyed how people just assume they're entitled to your time. Last year when I was home sick with a cold and laryngitis somebody banged on my front door for so long and so loudly I assumed it was an emergency. Nope, just 2 ajummas who wanted me to join their cult (and to ask me if I was Russian  ) How often are people banging on my front door when I'm not home?

I think this goes along with the Korean expectation of always being flexible (which is still VERY annoying). When something comes up, like I need to make an important visit to the bank or get important documents, my co-teacher will insist we do it immediately after she's just told me about it. These are the types of things that take hours mind you, and will take a huge chunk out of the remaining day after school. Nevermind asking "Are you busy?" or "Do you have any plans today?"

As a person who likes to know things ahead of time and be prepared, it's extremely frustrating.

it's related to narcissim. not respecting other's time and boundaries. i think i wrote a long post on here a while back about how a ton of stuff in korean society can easily be explained by narcissim. edit~ here it is: http://www.waygook.org/index.php?topic=112388.msg745549#msg745549

as an aside, i've also mentioned before i've moved to china. when i had to open my bank account here, i got asked at what time and on what day i wanted to do it. the person who came with to help me organized their schedule around mine.

That post was eye-opening, and not surprising at the same time.

I second that.

I'm getting increasingly impatient and testy these days, but like internally.

I think it's probably because I'm leaving or shits been building for 4 years but anyway. It's just petty stuff too but it just grinds on me.

As an example, one teacher just came in to the office looking for 6 dice.

The conversation went like this. In Korean obvs.

Teacher A: Good morning everyone. I need some dice. Do you have them in here?

Teacher B: Oh teacher I will help you!

Teacher C: I will help you too!

Teacher B: Here are dice.

Teacher C: Yes we have dice.

Teacher B: How many do you need?
If you need more than this we can get more?

Teacher C: Here are some unopened dice.

Teacher A: I need 6.

Teacher B: Oh there are more in here? Do you want to take more?

Teacher A: I only need 6

Teacher B: Okay then. Well here is the bag but there are more inside.

Teacher C: Trying to grab the bag I can take them out for you.

Teacher A: No it's okay I'll take it. Thank you everyone.

Me: screaming internally.