Smudger

LATEST ARTICLES ( 123 )

• He is a White Westerner? He Can't Say That!

  

  I grant two things about White Westerners: 1) Their ancestors did a lot of bad things in the past and oppressed people from countries all over the world, and: 2... Read more

  Posted on 02 June 2013 CURRENT, SOCIETY

• The Shabby Treatment of Native English Teachers Living in South Korea

  

  A few months ago a friend of mine asked my advice about working in South Korea. He said he had read some horror stories and general stories of discontent on... Read more

  Posted on 25 May 2013 CURRENT, SOCIETY

• When in Rome.....

  

  We always hear about a powerful West taking advantage of the rest of the world and the atrocities of past colonialism and present capitalism. Read more

  Posted on 12 May 2013 CURRENT, SOCIETY

• Avoiding Conflict and the Korean in-Laws

  

  Those of you who read one of my first articles on this site, ‘My Korean Family’, will know that I definitely do not fit the description of the perfect son in-la... Read more

  Posted on 05 May 2013 CURRENT, SOCIETY

• Should We Respect North Korea?

  

  The short and obvious answer to this question is of course not, they are not worthy of any respect at all. Their actions are ridiculous, dangerous, and the... Read more

  Posted on 27 April 2013 CURRENT, SOCIETY

• The Hidden Meanings of 'Gentleman' and 'Gangnam Style' Are Completely Lost on...

  

  This post follows on from an article I wrote for asiapundits last week, where I called into question the image that Psy is creating for himself, and that becaus... Read more

  Posted on 20 April 2013 CURRENT, SOCIETY

• The Joys of Living in Korea

  

  Out of a very British sense of fairness perhaps, I am feeling a little uncomfortable with the amount of bad news or negative stories I have been writing about... Read more

  Posted on 13 April 2013 CURRENT, SOCIETY

• Asiapundits

  

  This is a short announcement for any followers of my blog.I am currently writing some articles for asiapundits.com, as well as writing on here, and here is a... Read more

  Posted on 07 April 2013 CURRENT, SOCIETY

• A Response to Wangjangnim's Rebuttal on Hagwons in Korea

  

  The debate I am currently having with a hagwon (private academy) owner at wangjangnim.com is proving more topical than I realised because of the reaction to som... Read more

  Posted on 06 April 2013 CURRENT, SOCIETY

• An Ethical Dilemma for Hagwon Owners

  

  The thought for this post came to me while reading a criticism of an article I wrote for asiapundits.com this week on the misery of hagwons (privately owned... Read more

  Posted on 30 March 2013 CURRENT, SOCIETY

• The Corrosive Nature of Respect Culture on Relationships

  

  I think it is fair to say that I have had a lot of negative things to say about respect culture. I have my reservations as to whether there is anything at all... Read more

  Posted on 23 March 2013 CURRENT, SOCIETY

• What Should Make Us Feel Proud About Our Country?

  

  I guess the short answer to this question is nothing because, for example, me being English does not mean that I can take credit for my country's past... Read more

  Posted on 16 March 2013 CURRENT, SOCIETY

• Korea's 4 Seasons

  

  In case you haven't heard about it; Korea has 4 distinct seasons, it's wonderful. Perhaps you can detect more than a hint of sarcasm? Read more

  Posted on 09 March 2013 CURRENT, SOCIETY

• Korean New Year With The Seoul Family

  

  I live in the deep south of South Korea and usually spend the Korean holidays in Suncheon with my father in-law's side of the family, but the other half of my... Read more

  Posted on 02 March 2013 CURRENT, SOCIETY

• Is Korea Just Playing Catch-up With Morals and Manners?

  

  The title of this post may sound a little insulting as no one likes to be called out as being behind the times with anything whether it be fashion, technology,... Read more

  Posted on 23 February 2013 CURRENT, SOCIETY

• Are Korean Students Respectful To Their Foreign Teachers?

  

  I have often been surprised by the amount of reports I hear from fellow English teachers who think that Korean students are disrespectful, difficult to teach,... Read more

  Posted on 09 February 2013 CURRENT, SOCIETY

• Why Are So Many Koreans Committing Suicide?

  

  In my last post, I suggested that part of the the reason for the high rate of suicides in Korea is because of respect culture. Read more

  Posted on 02 February 2013 CURRENT, SOCIETY

• The Perils of Respect Culture

  

  In much of my writing I have criticised the respect culture of Korea because it has harmful effects on relationships, causes arrogance in older people, fear in... Read more

  Posted on 26 January 2013 CULTURE, CURRENT, SOCIETY, TRAVEL

• Are Korean Parents Getting More Than They Bargained For When They Send Their...

  

  Traveling to other countries can profoundly change a person and when they live in other countries this change can be even more pronounced. Read more

  Posted on 19 January 2013 CURRENT, SCHOOLING, SOCIETY

• Prejudice and Being Accepted in Western and Korean Culture

  

  I often start getting a bit uncomfortable when I post a string of mostly negative blogs on Korea in succession, which could be argued that I have done in... Read more

  Posted on 12 January 2013 CURRENT, SOCIETY