From: phantom@casbah.acns.nwu.edu (James Choi)
Subject: Analysis of a Korean's psyche
Organization: Northwestern University, Evanston Illinois.
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1992 01:59:35 GMT


OK, ladies and gentlemen.  Today, we are going to take an in-depth look at
a Korean's psyche.  To protect the person's private life, the subject's
identity will remain anonymous.  In order to showcase the example, I will
take an excerpt from a recent posting.

Mr. John Lee wrote in respose to Mr. Shin's request to provide an example 
of his working experience in Korea...
>    [...]
>    I arrive in Korea, go into to the company as handed the papers I've
>    requested.  It is nothing like what I asked for, so I ask
>    him who actually wrote it, and went to talk to that person. He said
>    it did not seem right to him even as he was writing it.  So I ask him
>    why did you not ask the manager to make sure, but he did not say 
>    anything (other than a very puzzled look).

Here is the reason why he did not ask his manager for more detail.

Generally speaking, the more uninformed and incompetence a person is, the
more uncomfortable they feel being asked because they see it as a chance to
reveal their ignorance.  So, the more incompetent the person, the more the
questions are discouraged.  I am sure all of you have similar experience
with your teachers.

More specifically speaking:

If he asked for more detail to the manger, he would have gotten a very
vague answer that does not provide any further information.  Here is an
example response taken from an anonymous subject.  The topic is completely
different, but you can get the feel of it.

>It is a very vulnerable spot not only to all Korean-Americans but also
>to most naturalized Americans.  Do not hurt them by attacking there.
>You are also as vulnerable as they are.  To me, they, including you, 
>are all apples and oranges.

So, you did not get a direct answer to your question.  If you insist on
getting the answer, the following happens.

>    Isn't this enough for you?
>   You childish insatiable attitude is really getting me furious.
>   We are no longer talking about dual citizenship.
>   We are talking about your attitude treating people opportunists.  GOT
>   IT?

And you may also hear (depending on the mood) something along the line
of...

>   Why don't you distinguish between Idealism and Realism?
>   You like a simple direct answer, don't you?

And the manager will conclude his empty answer with

>   In case you don't get it again, I have to tell you this.  The detention
>  thing is just an example for how idealism and reality are different.
>   It does not mean necessarily it should happen.  Sigh...

At this point, you are reall confused.  And as he walks away, he will turn
around and yell

>   Since I have answered all of your questions DIRECTLY, do not solicit
>   any more!  UNDERSTAND?

The poor worker may still be confused to know exactly what his manager is 
talking about.  Even if the manager answered the question, it was too loud 
to be understood.

That's why he chose not to ask his manager, and he was rather surprised
that you actually wondered why he did not ask his manager.  His puzzled
look means "you mean you want me to go through all this shown above in
quotes?  Are you kidding?"

That's not all.  If you make a mistake of answering any of his trivial 
questions, this is what you get.

>   You don't have to answer this.  I knew your answer already.
>   This is not a question.  It is really hard to be a mentor
>   for this kind of pupil.  Read between the lines!

The risk is that you could have gotten the same response if you did NOT
answer the question.  It all depends on the temperature and the ozone level
of the day.

Would you have asked any question?

James Choi
Newsgroups: soc.culture.korean