Why stay in Korea? Favorite things about Korea.

[letunstall@gmail.com]

Do people REALLY like Korean food? I know there are some tasty dishes (kimchi chigae, for example) and I do get a craving for sam gyp sal from time to time, but I think there's a reason it's not a popular "world food." If you go somewhere very metropolitan, you'll see Turkish, Italian, Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese, but Korean is not popular unless you're in Seattle or San Fran or in a heavily populated Korean area. I was researching restaurants in Dubai/Abu Dhabi, Korean is not a popular one. I mean, people who have actually traveled the globe and can honestly say Korean food is their #1 choice? I can see if Korea is the first country you've traveled to and you don't know any different. I know everyone has a different palette and different taste, but if you've actually tried food from 10 other countries, would Korean food really be ranked #1? It's all the same ingredients - red pepper, garlic, salt, occassionally curry. I'm not saying it's bad or awful, but I think there's a reson Korean food is not popular in most western or westernized major metropolitan cities.

[Maureen]

Korean food is popular in Japan.

[Ross84]

K-Pop.

 

[roger2424]

Start a new thread about the food.

[bmsteacher]

Korean food is fantastic, arguably very healthy at times, and dynamic.  I will be proud to serve Korean food back home every day for my friends and family.  I understand that it's not for everyone, and no one should judge you harshly for thinking that other food is better, but I do feel that Korean cuisine has its merits. 

[cinamon]

Ehh...Korean food is a nice change to the mush that is considered "America food".

I didn't realize how shitty the food was back there until I came here.

Things I love about Korea:
-service; now I understand why Asians never tip when they visit America (our service sucks compared to here)
-neon lights; it gives me a giddy feeling when I go out at night
-no car; yes I love not having to pay for gas and insurance
-being able to walk around at night freely

[jtinthecity]

What an awesome question. On the way to the airport my mother went on a rant about me living in Korea, specifically why anyone would do so.

-Korean Boys. I fall in love at least 10 times a day.
-My apartment is really my dream apartment in Seoul. It's made me antisocial. Yeah, I could go meet you at the bar or I could stay home.
-Korean food - which is one of the main reasons I picked Korea and not Japan.
-Korean children - they are so freaking cute.
-My school is pretty awesome.
-I actually like teaching.

Mostly the reason I stay is the same reason I came - I wanted to be doing something different than I had been. Even if I have a HORRIBLE day - which happens - at least I'm having a horrible day, halfway around the world while fulfilling one of my dreams. When I remember that, my day gets better.

[roger2424]

Several people have said that the service is better here than in America. I haven't noticed much difference, but maybe it's different in Canada? Can someone explain what they mean by "better service?"

[Cranberryopah]

Incredibly inexpensive ....taxi rides, school lunches, dry cleaning, and clothing alterations.
The ability to realize the medical, social, and occupational privileges I have, here and at home, as a Canadian.

[kawaiikitty]

The people are very pleasant and kind. As far as customer service, it's very nice! I feel like a customer, not some annoying person taking up someone's time like I usually do in the states. Everything is close by for foodage, even a convenience store in my building. Cheap foodage, better internet, cheap and really fashionable clothing, easy and cheap transportation, everything including awesome sights like palaces within an hour or two away...beautiful scenery..etcc

[cinamon]

Several people have said that the service is better here than in America. I haven't noticed much difference, but maybe it's different in Canada? Can someone explain what they mean by "better service?"

Well for one, you don't get charged a penalty fee if you forget to pay a utility bill or cell phone bill.
ATM fees are sweeet here. 
Everyone gets treated nicely at restaurants not just those who look like they might "tip well".
Service and retail workers are very polite and accommodating.

[waygookshawn]

Several people have said that the service is better here than in America. I haven't noticed much difference, but maybe it's different in Canada? Can someone explain what they mean by "better service?"

I recently went home (USA) this past vacation and observed the following:

At bars, it generally takes longer to order a drink.  When the bartender finally makes his/her way over, their attitude suggests that I've bothered them somehow.  Then, the drink (a mixed cocktail) is usually overpriced and watered down, though this can vary anywhere you go.  Next, I'm expected to pay a tip for slower service, indifferent attitude and a weak drink.  If I do not tip generously, I can expect the service and drink to be even worse on the next round.

At restraurants, the servers are slow to come as well. Many seemed bothered if you call them over after they have taken your order. Moreover, they usually only come once or twice and then dissappear to other tables.  Their attitudes are generally ok until you request something unordinary or have a 'bothersome' question.

In Korea, bars and restraurant staff are very polite and serve patrons with a sense of urgency.  This quality of service isn't in the name of a potential tip but rather genuine service.  If drinks aren't made strong enough, you may request them to make it stronger without any attitude.  Also, refills on sidedishs (kimchi and the like) are free of charge and attitude.  To be fair, many Korean establishments have buttons to summon the staff whereas Western countries do not (although another perk).

[GEK]

1) No Christmas!  (No crass Christmas like in the west).

2) Family

3) No Christmas

4) I like not being able to understand everything that is being said around me by strangers.  It brings a personal calmness to my surroundings.  I don't care what the two women in front of me at the check out line are talking about.  In Korea, I can't understand, so problem solved.  Peace and quiet in a noisy environment, I guess....

5) Fresh seafood and cheap fresh seafood.  I still can't believe how much food is served at the "hwey" restaurants for so little money.  It's amazing. 

6) No Christmas.

[Davey]

Several people have said that the service is better here than in America. I haven't noticed much difference, but maybe it's different in Canada? Can someone explain what they mean by "better service?"

oh man, being from toronto, customer service is clearly better in korea. for one thing, ive never gotten serious attitude/dirty looks from workers. obviously service is not perfect in korea, but i still find it significantly better than toronto overall.

glad there's also no tipping required here, too. i remember one bar i went to in canada and the server had the audacity to complain about the tip we gave her (her service was horrendous).

[travish65742]

I have read several replies about food and I agree that food can be frustrating in Korea. In the states, you more or less choose the style of food you want first then the restaurant (Italian food, Olive Garden for example). The convenience of food in the states is the big difference for me. There are restaurants all over the place in Korea, but you have to know a little bit about the menu offerred at certain restaurants. Once this is figured out, food can be an easier task.

As far as service goes, I think it is fantastic. I was a server for about a year in the states so I know what that can be like. Not only do I think their service is better, I think their system is better and more efficient. The "bing bong" is the best idea ever. It lets the server know when the customer needs something and takes out the guess work. Korea is a great place and I'm still  trying to get used to some things.

[Gunpo_Erin]

hmmm good question.
I'm actually leaving Korea after 4 years here.
But some of my favourite things:
1. cheap public transportation
2. Cheap food
3. Paid housing by the school.

[Jasin]

Mostly the reason I stay is the same reason I came - I wanted to be doing something different than I had been. Even if I have a HORRIBLE day - which happens - at least I'm having a horrible day, halfway around the world while fulfilling one of my dreams. When I remember that, my day gets better.

I think that is a great perspective to have and I share the feeling. I enjoy the challenges of living over seas and Korea can provide some good ones. I enjoy the company of the people I work with and my students, while sometimes a pain, are pretty awesome. I really enjoy teaching and in my case, get to experiment a lot with different ways of teaching (quite a bit of freedom to be creative). My apartment is pretty nice and I live near a great park. The cities are easy to navigate and walkable and most things are very convenient and close. The subway is awesome. I love exploring my surroundings and learning about culture and history. I enjoy the food and have begun to explore lots of different restaurants. The pay is good, bills are low, and I don't pay rent. I have met some good people and made friends here. I think I have been lucky with my experience here so far.   

[Bazin]

Jasin and Jtinthecity hit the nail on the head for me. The bad days here are better than the bad days back home, and the good days back home can't even compare.

I also agree with GEK:

4) I like not being able to understand everything that is being said around me by strangers.  It brings a personal calmness to my surroundings.  I don't care what the two women in front of me at the check out line are talking about.  In Korea, I can't understand, so problem solved.  Peace and quiet in a noisy environment, I guess....

... and would extend that to advertising. It's nice not being the target audience.

[adamzero]

   I love teaching and have a sense of financial security I never had in the US, but my favorite thing about Korea is... my girlfriend. 
   Had I never come here two and a half years ago (which was a longshot for me, as I imagine it is for many) I would never have met the sweetest, funniest, most incredible woman on the planet (although it's possible that I'm biased).  I know that relationships don't always last, but we're going on a year now and as long as she's with me, I'll take any job offering an E-2 visa.  That is, of course, until I can eventually convince her to let me adorn a certain finger on her left hand with something that's a bit more expensive and legally binding than a couple ring  :D

[teacherjenni]

4) I like not being able to understand everything that is being said around me by strangers.  It brings a personal calmness to my surroundings.  I don't care what the two women in front of me at the check out line are talking about.  In Korea, I can't understand, so problem solved.  Peace and quiet in a noisy environment, I guess....

... and would extend that to advertising. It's nice not being the target audience.

I really notice when I go somewhere and people are speaking English because it is like a little radar just starts picking up everything said whether I want it to or not. I want to learn Korean, but I enjoy not being able to understand cursing, crude comments, arguments, etc. It seems like whenever I hear English, it's something really crude (or something crudely) being said. I tend to just think everyone speaking Korean is having a jolly time and nothing nasty ever gets mentioned. My little world of peace that I remain in here in my head in Korea