Hectic
I was quite taken aback by the most recent Korean custom I’ve stumbled upon. Or rather that lay typed upon my desk this past Friday. Unfortunately the owner of the school’s brother had passed away. The girl Umi who works with us is also his niece. So quite the sad event for them. However, the note breezed through this mention and got straight to the point. 30,000 Won was to be handed in by 5 pm that afternoon. WOAH. What? While I did give the money, I felt that it was more like a bill, something that wasn’t a voluntary show of sympathy but a DEMAND. Apparently this is customary in Korea. And while none of the foreigners did, every member of the company regardless if you knew the deceased or not, attended the funeral which was held at the hospital. I don’t think there’s a coffin – not sure. Everyone goes into one room and bows to the family and then proceeds to the restaurant (also in the hosptial) to eat together. It would not be acceptable for a Korean not to attend.
Speaking of 30,000 Won, well I paid that last week to get my computer fixed because it wouldn’t turn on. It worked for a couple days and then stopped so today the computer guy showed up an hour and a half late and charged me another 30,000 Won. Actually this time I didn’t pay because I insisted that he fix what was actually wrong rather than just continue coming back and charging me till something went right. So different out here.
I had mentioned in my previous blog that people can be rather maniuplative. I can’t even really get into this one too much because it is so obvious waht is wrong that I’ll get furious. haha. WHen we had our special teacher training (that is NOT yet being implemented and this is quite against the franchise but… it’s Korea…) we were asked if we would consider working a weekend. We were told we’d be paid for a regular work day PLUS overtime. I made sure that I asked this TWICE infront of everyone. Well our paycheck came and went with not a Won towards that day, a Saturday mind you. Justine had spoken to John about it (he’s the guy who got me out here… the business side guy) and he said that we should take into consideration that they had to pay a lot for us to do the training and that some schools don’t even pay. That’s all good and well but A DEAL IS A DEAL. WTF??!! Justine doesn’t think we’ll get our money because John told her he thought it was simply her issue. Well I wrote an email to John politely asking when we were getting our overtime and CC’ed Justine and Andrea. Let’s see him try to weasle himself outta that one. Arrrggg…. this country can be so frustrating! But like I said I can’t get too into it.
Speaking of Natasha (who hates how Americans pronounce her name – it should be Ni-tasha), she had been working 2 hours a day and her employer then tried to claim it was but an hour and a half. I told her, Natasha, you have to be FIRM. ALWAYS FIRM WITH THESE PEOPLE. The crap they try to pull is so low. However if you can be strong, living here is pretty good otherwise. Natasha actually started to doubt herself that she wasn’t told 2 hours. I had to point out to her, Natasha you kept a time sheet. They are just trying to pull one over on you. I can’t believe that is so common out here!!!
Ok well I should fess up. I finally had the holiday cry… and before the holiday too! Justine, Andrea and I were having dinner Friday night when Andrea mentioned to me that she was going home for Christmas afterall. I’m not sure what exactly came over me but I was SO HAPPY FOR HER that I just started crying a bit. I’m like, “You’re going to AMERICA???!!!!!! ” as if I were some poor farmer longing to get to Ellis Island to start a new life. I remember thinking she is my link to HOME – to my family – to everything I know. I couldn’t imagine going home… WOW. That lasted a couple minutes and then we all had a good laugh over it. And that’s how I realized Christmas was finally coming. To Andrea and Justine, first off – shut up! – and secondly… I’m so glad you guys are here with me and I hope we all have wonderful vacations in the US, China and Thailand. Mwah!
The word of the day is “hectic”. Hectic is a word that I don’t use too much – maybe the traffic was hectic. South Africans tend to use it quite often. “That party was hectic or the weather was hectic.” Well it was quite the hectic scene at the post office this evening… and yesterday…. and the other couple times I’ve been there. I’m mailing mini packages to everyone and their mom. Yes, Jesse, your mom is getting something! haha. And so is yours Mikey, if you EVER get me her address! The post office staff know me by sight – that blonde haired girl always scrambling to shove things into envelopes and boxes. Mind you these are just little trinkets but the shipping does add up. At one point a woman asked me how much money I was making. It’s not like I was buying everyone dimond studded everything! (If you do get an envelope from me, please let me know!!)
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