Korean Job Discussion Forums

teachinkorea · Joined: 13 Feb 2007

I've been researching info about Korea and the place seems to appeal to me (based on what i read, not on experience). However, i've noticed there are alot of posts referring to Koreans as racist and rude and the employers are trying the screw the foreigner. Whilst there are negative posts about diff . races , negative comments about Koreans seem to be the most common.

Any opinions? How do you find Koreans in general compared to Japanese.

When i lived in Japan, there were some anti-gaijin sentiment but this was overshadowed by japanese people who really wanted to get to know caucasians.

Missile Command Kid · Joined: 17 Jul 2006 Location: Daegu

It's a typical insular culture, in my opinion. Some Koreans are xenophobic, others are overly excited about foreigners. I think the problem with hagwons lie with the fact that most foreigners consider them to be places of education, whereas hagwon owners consider them to be businesses. This difference in perspective can cause problems sometimes.

I've never met any xenophobes, but genuinely caring and friendly people who wanted to help me adapt to Korea.

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

VanIslander · Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2007 4:48 am Post subject:

Both.

But waaaay more of the former than the latter.

Rteacher · Joined: 23 May 2005 Location: Western MA, USA

I've been in Korea for around five years, and I've encountered many more nice people than nasty ones. Practically no contest ...

And (since I'm in Korea...) I'll boldly state that Koreans are much nicer than the Japanese ...

Trevor · Joined: 16 Nov 2005

Compared to who? I think you have to have a control group.

If your baseline is, say, the U.S., then Koreans are considerably nicer.

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

huffdaddy · Joined: 25 Nov 2005

ChopChaeJoe · Joined: 05 Mar 2006 Location: Seoul

A coworker once told me that she didn't have to say please because she was korean and i was a foreigner.

never did her a favor again, i actually stopped listening to her and now only communicate with hand signals indicating for her to shoo fly shoo.

On the average tho, ost are nice.

Kimchieluver · Joined: 02 Mar 2005

Dokdo Vs Alcatraz

passport220 · Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Location: Gyeongsangbuk-do province

Exclude Seoul bus and taxi drivers and I would vote for nice.

Paji eh Wong · Joined: 03 Jun 2003

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

polonius · Joined: 05 Jun 2004

I have experienced many instances where a Korean would go out of their way to help a foreign teacher of mine. Example, a 70 year old Korean man helped me carry a Turkey 1/2 a kilometer to the subway. I am in decent shape and was managing fine. Another, saw that a teacher of mine was lost and confused. He flagged a cab, took the teacher where they needed to go, then paid for the cab.

I would say they lean more to the nice end of the spectrum. But remember there are a$$holes in every culture. And if you walk around with an attitude, odds are, you will be greeted with an attitude, and that is worldwide.

luvnpeas · Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2007 3:37 pm Post subject:

Some are nice. Some are nasty.

Duh.

Maybe you should rephrase the question.