saving-10-years wrote:I enjoy reading your journal and look forward to more news of exploits that would lead to 'shocked coworkers' should you decide to tell them. The how open to be with others about what you are up to seems to be a theme in these forums this month.
Thanks. I don't have too many good stories, but one of my coworkers who visited my apartment told me, "You should own more things." And two different people who have seen my phone responded, "You should own a more expensive phone." Language barriers tend to cut down to the core of what people believe.
They seem to think I'm some kind of crazy ascetic. Fortunately, I seem to be able to get away with it since foreigners are expected to be strange.
saving-10-years wrote:I am imagining that your co-workers think that they are already very 'frugal' based on the low wage in your type of employment by Western standards and that they could not do more?
Though I can't speak for the majority of them, I'd bet not. For one, even though South Korea is a first world country, Western pay standards don't quite apply. Teachers have some of the highest paying jobs in the country (though the average is higher than my salary because they get regular raises throughout their usually long careers) so I think the common sentiment among my coworkers is that they have it made.
From what I've seen so far, South Korea has enthusiastically taken consumerism as part of its identity. Those coworkers I've spoken to about money seem to believe that money earned is equal to money spent. I suspect based on offhand comments that some of the younger teachers are living on credit, since "keeping up with the Kims" is a relatively expensive lifestyle.