Korean Job Discussion Forums

PerryMason · Joined: 01 Oct 2003

Hello. I am perplexed as to why some folks here at this board, and in person, are so unfriendly, and sometimes downright rude.

It is really a sad statement of truth about the Korean board and some of the individuals that teach in Korea.

It has been my experience that the most racist and intolerant persons are not Koreans, but some persons who post here at the Korean forum and teach English in Korea.

I sincerely wish that more people would please read Dale Carnegie's "How to win friends and influence people". It is a simple matter to smile and be polite, whether in person, or via the Internet.

Perhaps if one took a more pleasant attitude, one's stay in Korea would be more enjoyable.

This is my opinion, of which I'm entitled, and opinions are like elbows, everyone has two.

Good day to all.

ratslash · Joined: 08 May 2003

exactly one of my points that i have made since i have been in korea.

when i first arrived, i used to try and acknowledge other westerners in the street. either a smile, nod of the head or an hello. after being ignored by 99.99% of the foreigners i tried to acknowledge i have now completely given up and only acknowledge other westerners if they acknowledge me first.

unfortunately, especially in seoul, the unfriendliness and cliqueness between foreigners is all part of being here.

pretty sad and pathetic. it doesn't take your life to say 'hi' to someone in the street.

kiwiboy_nz_99 · Joined: 05 Jul 2003 Location: ...Enlightenment...

Agreed that people are unfriendly on the board, myself included, part of the nature of the thing. It's not meant to be a facsimile of real socialising in my view, but I place to flex ideas, argue, and vent about Korea. But it's also a great place to find out where to buty sour cream or big sized work-shirts, and what to do if your boss breaks your contract, it's also a good place to crack a few jokes, and feel a sense of community with people who may or may not have different politics or philosophy, but by the very fact that they post here and not elsewhere (unmoderated places) tend to be a bit more refined, eloquent, informed or what have you.

I'm not so sure about unfriendliness in real life, have you met posters in real and found them unfriendly? Or are you talking about just random westerners. I too have found westerners in Seoul to be quite cold and unnaproachable. I don't know why. I know westerners are not like this everywhere, so I have to presume it's something about the environment and conditions, perhaps coupled with the type of people who choose to come here.

However, I have used the board to meet some great guys that I continue to see. And you would be welcome to come out for a bash if so inclined ( not sure if you are in Seoul or not ).

The Lemon · Joined: 11 Jan 2003

Harpeau · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Location: Coquitlam, BC

PerryMason · Joined: 01 Oct 2003

Howdy y'all. Please excuse me. I need to practice what I preach and be more friendly too.

Yes, I wish that I had found Dave's ESL cafe sooner. It's a great wealth of information, and I'm thankful that there are so many helpful posters here.

I apologize for my rant, and yes, this forum is a nice place to vent.

Good day!

FierceInvalid · Joined: 16 Mar 2003

jaderedux · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: Lurking outside Seoul

kiwiboy_nz_99 · Joined: 05 Jul 2003 Location: ...Enlightenment...

Sloth · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Here

Though I do think I am too good for the lot of you, I do nod or smile to foreigners I meet on the street. Razz

William Beckerson · Guest

kiwiboy_nz_99 · Joined: 05 Jul 2003 Location: ...Enlightenment...

just because · Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: Changwon - 4964

I'll give an acknowlegement or how are going mate but the way i look at it is this. In Australia i don't say hello to random people on the street. I know we are in Korea and they are foreigners and we should stick together, blah blah but they are random people and some of the teachers I have met here, if I knew them I wouldn't say hello.

rapier · Joined: 16 Feb 2003

There were a couple of westerners on my visa run. but i have to say I didn't bother acknowledging them. Why? because I've been there done that. my first 6 months in k I was very outgoing and warm to any foreigner i came across. It was hardly a rewarding experience. In any case, i'm more interested in hanging out with korean women nowadays. I can't see how hanging out with newbie westerners is going to enhance my life at all.
However, chatting to other waygooks from a safe distance on this chatboard rocks!

Tancred · Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2003 3:14 am Post subject:

For the record, outside of Seoul I always go out of my way to say Hi to a foreigner...and i'd say about 90% of the time i receive a guardedly suspicious Hello in return. I don't really care to be honest...it usually amuses me to see people squirm in discomfort over so trivial a thing...but i know what you mean, OP.