Korean Job Discussion Forums

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

I think sometimes as foreigners, we attribute alot more 'racism' on to Koreans than they deserve. I know tons of people who assume they are going to get lynched or something for not being white and being a foreigner.

My darker-skinned Vietnamese friend came here and LOVED KOREA! He said everyone was really friendly, the women were so easy to talk to and so friendly, etc.

Nobody knows how a person is going to react when the go to another country.. and how they are going to perceive it.. or experience it..

Circus Monkey · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: In my coconut tree

kimcheeking · Guest

I tend to agree with CM on this issue though not quite as strongly. I am not planning on raising my daughter here long term either. I do want her to get some schooling, up to around grade 3, maybe 4. But if I find a better position elsewhere I will move before then.

Raising kids in this country is a risk and should only be done after very very careful consideration of the situation and any alternatives you may have. I do know of 2 families that have successfully raised mix kids here without problems and that is probably why I am more positive then other users. However, I am not about to turn a blind eye to the potential problems.

Dan · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Sunny Glendale, CA

well KK, I think it would be more fulfilling to their lives if they can get a background in both cultures. but if you take them away from korea at a too early age, they will forget everything and just spend their lives trying to deny that side of them. early exposure to the benefits of both leads to healthy appreciate of their biological lineage.

but thats just my take.

little mixed girl · Joined: 11 Jun 2003 Location: shin hyesung's bed~

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Medic · Joined: 11 Mar 2003

Little mixed girl where exactly is that town with families and people from different ethnic backgrounds?

Wondering if their is any documentation about how the people live and interact with each other. There must be some study on it somewhere.

Jensen · Joined: 30 Mar 2003 Location: hippie hell

little mixed girl · Joined: 11 Jun 2003 Location: shin hyesung's bed~

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Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

I've known a number of southeast asian ethnic waygooks and darker-skinned waygooks as well.. and most of them are having a great time in Korea.. or basically the more or less as everyone else. Maybe not amazingly great.. but not some nightmare experience either. Just like anyone else basically it seems to me.

Jensen · Joined: 30 Mar 2003 Location: hippie hell

I remember meeting an American soldier and his Phillipina (?) wife in Kangnam, they were looking for the Phillipines embassy, consulate, or whatever just a couple blocks away. They stopped in at a couple of local businesses and nobody would talk with them, everybody was heads down, no eye contact. No ajumas scrambling out to say "GUDA MORN-ING KKAN EYA HELPA YOOOO!!? like they did when I walked past their shops the first few times. Just suspicious, dark glances. Reminded me of what it was like looking for housing in Seoul with my wife, her a little older and dressing sloppy, and me looking like a buzz-cut GI.

Which isn't a mixed-race issue, but I'm reminded of the attitude when I read stuff on the web about Amerasians in Korea. I'm guessing the status issue is making a huge difference in why a "our" mixed kids get treated pretty decent and have family support, whereas an illegitimate mixed kid being raised in poverty in Korea gets treated like shit, especially if he/she is illegitimate.

But then most people who are impoverished get treated like shit, wherever they live.