"Just A Girl"

I've noticed recently, that a handful of people have complained about their schools. I'm not positive about the reason but I think I've narrowed it down using my Sherlock Holmes detective style. (and yes, I do like to wear the hat).

Here are some of the most common complaints:

• "My co-teachers hate me, and treat me badly."
• "My students are rude to me or insult me."
• "Other teachers in the school tell me I'm fat or should lose weight."

These people (who shall not be named) have one thing in common -- they are all women.

I discussed this with a few of my teachers while at dinner the other night, and their answer shocked me.

"We don't like female foreign teachers because they are seen as weak or complain a lot about many things because they are too sensitive."

I think female teachers come into the job just as anyone else, but the second they walk in that school door they have already been stigmatized. Perhaps they don't live up to the expectations of what Western women are "supposed" to be like. Apparently in Korea this means all Western women look like Angelina Jolie - and there is a big disappointment when they face reality.

As for the students being rude or insulting female teachers, again, I am surprised. My students are nothing but respectful to me. Almost all of them say I am either handsome (I don't think I am), or that I look like I've lost a lot of weight (I haven't -- ok, maybe a few pounds), but they never -- NEVER -- insult me. Then again, I'm not a woman.

If sensitivity is an issue, I could understand why Western women would feel they are being insulted. The English ability among the students (and most native teachers) is relatively low. Most of the time they are simply translating from Korean to English - and it can be very blunt. For example, I showed a picture of a crutches to my students for a lesson on hospitals. They translated it into "wooden leg". Part of the reason we're teaching here is to give these students a larger vocabulary and to teach them how to say things properly. If someone calls you fat, you should teach them the word "impolite" and then teach them how to say it a nicer way. An overly sensitive person will not survive here if they are not aware of the cultural and language barrier that most definitely exists.

On the flip side, I get into trouble when I say the words "crazy" or "cute". If I say to a Korean "you are crazy" in a jesting way, they sometimes take it as an insult, as if I were saying they actually were psychotic. If I say a beautiful woman is cute, they think I'm calling them cute as in a dog or a baby - and not attractive.

If you are planning on coming to Korea, I recommend you do some research beforehand about the culture. It is a society based on respect, and sadly, they respect men more than women. They also sadly respect Caucasian over being Black, Latino, Middle Eastern, and Pacific Islander. (and Korean above all others). Most of the communities with those immigrants are seen as the dangerous places to go. Like in most cultures - what you don't understand is scary to you.

As for the women out there having a tough time - good luck! I wish I could change how cultures view gender, but all I can give you for advice is to try and gain respect in the classroom and try not to take offense.

I Love Ajumas

Ajuma means "old married lady"