Korean Job Discussion Forums

kangnamdragon · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Kangnam, Seoul, Korea

I agree with rapier here. If they did not want to speak Korean, they were trying to say that you are the customer and you should not have to trouble yourself. I used to think like you. But, many times when I meet a Korean in the States, I just speak in Korean to make him or her more comfortable, especially friends of my parents. They may have been in the States for 20 years, but they still prefer I speak Korean to them.

adventureman · Joined: 18 Feb 2003

True, I realize that they probably weren't trying to be malicious about it or anything, but don't you find it fustrating at times when you are trying to practice Korean for practicial purposes and certain people automatically refuse to let you demonstate your ablilites?

mithridates · Posted: Mon May 17, 2004 4:34 am Post subject:

Do you ever pretend not to understand? That works in front of a person who's not very good at English anyway. It does suck when you're trying to learn Korean, but you can do something about it. Switch to a different line in the movie theatre, just keep responding in Korean when they ask you in English...don't get mad but be very firm in using Korean if that's what you want to use. You were the one who took the plane thousands of miles to get here after all.
I remember getting really mad at a guy from a PC bang a few years back when I was first learning Korean. He asked me if I spoke Korean (in Korean) and I said yes, a little, and then he proceeded to go all out in English and even started talking about how comfortable the seats were and here, I'll give you a 500W discount because you're a foreigner and blah blah blah...I wasn't good enough to talk back in confident Korean at the time so I just left but wished that I was better at it. I guess that's pretty much the same thing that happened to you then?

Ilsanman · Joined: 15 Aug 2003 Location: Bucheon, Korea

If I am in the mood to speak Korean to them, I will answer their English questions in Korean.

I ordered food tonight on the phone. The ajumma was very patient with me. The food got there just fine.

When I am comfortable, I can speak quite well. Maybe that's why drunk people can speak better.

Homer · Guest

jajdude · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

Agreed. I've seen 'em get uptight numerous when the foreign guy approaches, even to comment "waygookin" to other workers, giggle or whatever. And usually the little transaction is real simple, barely requires any language at all, maybe "here" or "take out" or whatever. I think they just get uptight having to deal with a foreigner period, though perhaps mainly it's a language (worry) thing. I don't quite get that they seem embarrassed not to speak much English. Perhaps they have the idea that they should know it somehow? Despite almost never actually speaking it? Or almost never meeting foreigners?

peppermint · Posted: Mon May 17, 2004 10:35 am Post subject:

I'm beginning to get a solid understanding of why there are such issues with English here.

The curriculum for elementary school kids is downright terrible. For the first year, they are only supposed to listen or if they have to be taught to speak, it's purely rote. With that as the foundation- I'm surprised anyone can speak English

Harin · Joined: 03 May 2004 Location: Garden of Eden

I studied English by watching lots of TV shows in high school; Golden Girls, Matlock, Roseanne, Cheers, Wonder Years, Cosby Show, Beverly Hills, 90210, Doogie Howser M.D., Home Improvement, Mad About You, Seinfeld, Married... With Children, Beavis and Butthead, Simpsons, etc.

I learned so much and by the time I graduated from high school, I could speak fluent English. I am not kidding you, watch TV more often. Sometimes, TV is not all that bad as they say.

Zed · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Location: Shakedown Street

But I can't stand Korean programs for the most part.

Harin · Joined: 03 May 2004 Location: Garden of Eden

mithridates · Posted: Mon May 17, 2004 12:29 pm Post subject:

tomato · Posted: Mon May 17, 2004 6:17 pm Post subject:

Hello, Adventureman!

I am of similar sentiment.
I would respond in greater detail, but I've already said it all in older topics.
Take a look:

"How do you keep people from practicing English with you?"

Korean view of prejudice

Anyone speak Korean at work?

Can Koreans detect a newbie?

If you speak Korean, why do Koreans answer in English?

Do many Koreans think foreigners are stupid?

How do you feel about Koreans speaking to you in English?

Swiss James · Joined: 26 Nov 2003 Location: Shanghai

adventureman · Joined: 18 Feb 2003