Factors for Success in Korea

I remember reading an article in the paper about what it takes to be successful in Korea, though I think this mostly applies to Koreans as for most foreigners working as English 'teachers' the fact they are from an English-speaking country is generally enough to guarantee stable employment.

Anyway, the prestige of one's college ranks as most important. We Australians prefer the term 'university' as a college is where you learn to be a plumber/electrician/mechanic/etc. All noble trades and though not as socially desirable as doctor/lawyer their earnings are on par with their more learned colleagues. And no 3am emergency calls either.
I digress. Prestigious universities make life easier for their alumni, of that there is no doubt. But I remember my Chinese Philosophy professor saying that one could have been a student at Harvard but unless a scholarly work was published then one might as well be at any other university.

Next most important is connections(关系), hardly surprising as a recommendation from a third party is always going to be better trusted than a fantastic CV, even if that CV includes sainthood. Again, my Chinese professor said to get anywhere in business in China, and other countries with a Chinese based culture, the people you know are more important than who you are. Emphasis of society over the individual.

Third was wealth, not unusual as wealth is generally an important factor and marker of upward mobility. And as much as the poor despise the rich, most aspire to be rich otherwise this wonderful system called capitalism would collapse. N.B., poorer working class people voting for the conservative that promises huge tax cuts to the rich.

The most controversial, in my opinion anyway, is 'family background' which means if your family (read 'father') is of good social standing and your father has a reputable occupation then you are more likely to succeed. A very Catholic view as we are all guilty of Adam's sins. The Orthodox argue about the consequences of Adam's sin, for how can one be held responsible for the sins of another?
On the other hand, one of Liu Bang's advisors remarks that for what he has done in his life, if his family falls from grace they will never rise again.

Next was 'a good-looking face'. I expected this to be much higher by the way some people carry on about how they look. And of course, the ubiquitous 피부관리 and 비만샌터 suggest it is far more important than people would like to admit.

Lastly, 'bluffing and sugar-coating' round off the top six. I have had, and I'm sure this applies most foreigners working in Korea, lots of exposure to this one. Sometimes it is very difficult to get a straight answer from anyone in a management position. Granted, this trait is almost a prerequisite for any type of managerial position but here it's that to the power 25! Still, my own little revenge is to give as good as I get. Ambiguity can and should be used both ways. It's almost fitting, really.

No mention of 'honesty and integrity' though, or 'capability', 'commitment', 'competence' and 'dedication' either.

As for honesty, we are taught from a young age to always say the truth. Yet if you do something wrong, the truth will not necessarily avail you. You'll still get punished depending on your crime. In some cases, saying the truth even suggests premeditation which in the legal sense will nearly always carry a heavier sentence.

'Capability' is a Napoleonic idea (Cao Cao too!) and we all know what history thinks of Napoleon right? Just in case, try looking up "Napoleon's victories" and you'll be surprised how many times the word 'defeat' comes up. Strange, he must have won some battles/wars to end up ruling most of Europe. As they say, the victor certainly does write history.

I'm not surprised 'commitment' and 'dedication' were left out of the top six as they seem to be expected by the employer. In fact, my first contract in Korea made no mention of the employee terminating the contract under any circumstances. From there end though, there were a thousand and one ways they may terminate my employment.

The omission of 'competence' is just plain frightening.




Anyway, onto the words for today.

Sisyphean task[sis-uh-fee-uhn][task, tahsk]
1. Something resembling the labours of Sisyphus, i.e, unending and futile.
* Sisyphus was condemned to roll a huge boulder up a hill only to halve it roll back down over him when he reached the middle. This was to be repeated throughout eternity. His crime was that of....



hu·bris[hyoo-bris, hoo-]
–noun
1. excessive pride or self-confidence; arrogance.
-adjective
hubristic
*The greatest sin in classical Athens. many a classical hero displays hubris and is punished with an untimely death. It's opposite is sophrosyne



po·grom[puh-gruhm, -grom, poh-]
–noun
1. An organized, often officially encouraged massacre or persecution of a minority group,
*my first word of Russian roots. Means 'destruction, which comes from 'grom', thunder.



ve·nal
–adjective
1. willing to sell one's influence, esp. in return for a bribe; open to bribery; mercenary: a venal judge.
2. able to be purchased, as by a bribe: venal acquittals.
3. associated with or characterized by bribery: a venal administration; venal agreements.
-adverb
venally
*heh, this can apply to journalists (you besmirch all our reputations, grrr) and some politicians/public figures. Comes from the Latin 'vend', to sell.