Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Ilsanman]

So one guy posts about some ajosshi spitting on the sidewalk. One guy agrees that it's super rude, then the next says he's too sensitive and it doesn't matter. So I collected some behaviours that Esl Cafe users have called rude.

So to reply to this post, copy and paste, and then insert your own numbers on how rude these behaviours are. A scale of 0-10.

0 = not rude at all
10 = the rudest


1. Cutting in line.
2. Spitting.
3. Blowing snot rockets.
4. Picking your nose in public.
5. Littering on the street.
6. Pushing and shoving.
7. Laughing at our attempts to speak Korean.
8. Saying hi and hello on the street, and giggling.
9. Smacking gum and making sounds.
10. Shoving a calculator in your face when you ask for a price.
11. Making noise while eating.
12. Park and/or drive on the sidewalk.
13. Bumping into you because they 'can't see you'.
14. Staring.
15. Smoking in no smoking areas.

[The Hierophant]

[mnhnhyouh]

While I have yet to see Koreans cut in a line, I am sure it cant be as bad as in India. Cutting in line there is not an adequate description. In India, there are no lines. Just go to the window, and the person behind it serves the person whose arms reach furtherest into the window. Took me a little time to work it out, but then I was in there. I have long arms

Having a backpack on in a "line" helped, a little gentle twisting motion cleared a little breathing room I only did this after watching others.

When in Delhi......

h

[SuperHero]

1. Cutting in line. 9
2. Spitting.6
3. Blowing snot rockets.7
4. Picking your nose in public.4
5. Littering on the street.4
6. Pushing and shoving.7
7. Laughing at our attempts to speak Korean.4 or 7 depends on if it's an embarrassed laugh or a mocking laugh
8. Saying hi and hello on the street, and giggling.5
9. Smacking gum and making sounds.0
10. Shoving a calculator in your face when you ask for a price.3
11. Making noise while eating.0
12. Park and/or drive on the sidewalk.8.5
13. Bumping into you because they 'can't see you'.8
14. Staring.7
15. Smoking in no smoking areas.10

[jmbran11]

Whether one is rude or courteous is a determined by cultural norms of the society in which you're living. I'm sick of hearing about how Korean behavior is "rude" because it isn't the manner we've been taught. Annoying maybe, but it we're quite a judgmental bunch when we decide Koreans are rude because they don't follow the proper behavior for North America. None of the behaviors listed display a lack of courtesy, in my opinion. They just annoy/disgust me.

After all, I don't hold my cup my with two hands when my mom pours me a drink at home, and I would never give a cash gift at a wedding in the U.S. How rude am I?

[jajdude]

Of course it's cultural. Rudeness is cultural. Some countries are ruder than others. Enough of that defense. I think, the question was does any of it seem rude to you?

Some of it seems rude to me, but Koreans are rude in some ways, not just in Korea. No culture excuse crap. Many countries agree.

Simply put, Korea is a ruder country than many others. In fact, Koreans are a rude bunch, not by my North American ideas, but by my human ideas of what is and is not polite.

It is not polite to gawk. It is not polite to make rude comments in front of people, assuming they may not understand. It is not polite to cut in line because you think you are more important. No, this isn't culture, this is rudeness.

[thu_tinh]

[stevemcgarrett]

OP:

Spend some time in China and you'll recognize how minor the concerns expressed on this thread are by comparison. Get a grip--or a comparative insight.

[jajdude]

Damn Steve, who is that guy in your avatar, an how did his face get so large? I must say, he has the look of seriousness and ambition about him. Plus, he's so big! How could I ever doubt a thing he says?

[tiger fancini]

0 = not rude at all
10 = the rudest


1. Cutting in line. 3 - rude, but hey if i get the chance i'll do it too.

2. Spitting. 2 - only a little more common here than at home.

3. Blowing snot rockets. 3 - i used to see footballers do this every week.

4. Picking your nose in public. 1 - not a problem, i do too!

5. Littering on the street. 3 - i honestly don't see this happen very much.

6. Pushing and shoving. 3 - rude but necessary during busy times. get stuck in!

7. Laughing at our attempts to speak Korean. 10 - totally unnacceptable.

8. Saying hi and hello on the street, and giggling. 2 - annoying but not rude. at least they don't want to fight you (most of the time).

9. Smacking gum and making sounds. 2 - doesn't bother me

10. Shoving a calculator in your face when you ask for a price. 3 - a little rude, but your query is at least acknowledged and answered.

11. Making noise while eating. 2 - not a problem, i join in and enjoy it very much.

12. Park and/or drive on the sidewalk. 8 - i don't like this.

13. Bumping into you because they 'can't see you'. 3 - maybe they can't. or maybe its so busy they can't avoid you. just join in and enjoy it.

14. Staring. 4 - annoying but understandable.

15. Smoking in no smoking areas. 2 - i am a smoker, and regrettably i do this sometimes too.



With the exception of number 7 and 12, these things don't really bother me that much. Joining in with all of the other behaviours has actually increased my enjoyment of being here.

[Optional Toaster]

1. Cutting in line. 4
2. Spitting. 2 (unless it is on me...then 10)
3. Blowing snot rockets. ick! 9
4. Picking your nose in public. 0 (unless you wipe it on something near me or eat it!)
5. Littering on the street. 1 (trash problems are worse elsewhere)
6. Pushing and shoving. 0 (see below)
7. Laughing at our attempts to speak Korean. 1 (I know my Korean isn't any good)
8. Saying hi and hello on the street, and giggling. 0 (unless I'm in a bad mood...but is that their fault?)
9. Smacking gum and making sounds. 0
10. Shoving a calculator in your face when you ask for a price. 0 (unless they act nasty about serving you...then 8)
11. Making noise while eating. 0
12. Park and/or drive on the sidewalk. 1 (why don't I care about this?)
13. Bumping into you because they 'can't see you'. ????? (thought about this and I think it happens in lots of different places for different reasons...people think they are more important than you, just aren't paying attention, and I guess some nastier reasons)
14. Staring. 0-4
15. Smoking in no smoking areas. 5

I was thinking about how people behave in Korea the other day when I was trying to get out of an elevator in Cleveland..... it took a good minute for six people to leave a stupid elevator because everyone was saying, "after you" and no one would go first. Freaking annoying in my book and it made me miss the quick push out the door. I don't mind holding a door for someone but there should be a limit! Glad to be done with Ohio....and I miss the noises while eating.

[brento1138]

1. Cutting in line. 10
2. Spitting. 3
3. Blowing snot rockets. 5
4. Picking your nose in public. 3
5. Littering on the street. 2 (there aren't many trash cans, so I guess it's ok)
6. Pushing and shoving. 9
7. Laughing at our attempts to speak Korean. 3
8. Saying hi and hello on the street, and giggling. 1
9. Smacking gum and making sounds. 1
10. Shoving a calculator in your face when you ask for a price. 1
11. Making noise while eating. 3
12. Park and/or drive on the sidewalk. 3
13. Bumping into you because they 'can't see you'. 6
14. Staring. 3 (if its an Adjossi poker face, not so cool, if its a beautiful woman, I'll accept it, hehe)
15. Smoking in no smoking areas.[/quote] 2

I guess a lot of the rude stuff people talk about doesn't get to me as I'm a pretty chill guy. The only thing that has ever bothered me is when people butt in line, especially whilst waiting for a taxi. They pretend not to see you, and that's quite annoying... note that this isn't because I'm a foreigner, they do that to each other too. When people blow snot rockets or spit, it actually makes me laugh, and I feel better about myself since I don't do that.

[thebum]

to those of you who think that koreans laughing at your korean is rude, have you never laughed at a korean's english?

[rocklee]

1. Cutting in line. - 10, had it here worst than back in China.

2. Spitting. - 9, when I saw this one guy spit constantly in one spot on the train I realised what throwing up felt like.

3. Blowing snot rockets. - 10, how about flicking snot rockets?

4. Picking your nose in public. - 10, unless you're 5 years old....

5. Littering on the street. - 7, I don't see it too often but the rubbish is there.

6. Pushing and shoving. - 9, you think that people can wait to get on the train or onto a lift but noooo.

7. Laughing at our attempts to speak Korean. - 2-7 depending if they're laughing with you or at you.


8. Saying hi and hello on the street, and giggling. - 0, I don't see any problem with saying hi or hello.

9. Smacking gum and making sounds. - 0, whats the big deal.

10. Shoving a calculator in your face when you ask for a price. - 0 or 10 depending whether you asked in English or korean.


11. Making noise while eating. - 2, I don't see it too much of a problem unless its your date at a posh restaurant that's making all the noise.

12. Park and/or drive on the sidewalk. - 8.

13. Bumping into you because they 'can't see you'. - 100. This is the stupidest thing that anyone can do. They see you coming yet they still run into you.

14. Staring. - 0 or 8, depending if its a hot girl or an ugly girl.

15. Smoking in no smoking areas. - 8, yeah its not the right thing to do but maybe the sign is in English....

[SuperHero]