Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ghost]

I've only been in Korea a short while, so the above heading may strike some as somewhat naive, but there are some things which are surprising and good here.

Example: at the public swimming pools in Korea, you leave some of your belongings (shoes etc...) in an open rack at the entrance (you have to do this), and no one steals those things, and some of the shoes are 200.000 won Nikes and other famous names! That type of thing would not be possible in the U.K. and Canada where I grew up.

Also, many people leave their bicycles unlocked in public places for lengthy periods of time - again without any danger of having their property stolen - very positive.

In Western countries you have to constantly be paranoid about your possessions and make sure everything is under lock and key - but here in Korea there seems to be a much greater civil obediance in operation, and the 'stealing' thoughts do not seem to occur as a matter of course.

It would be silly to think that all Koreans are honest and that no thievery takes place, but I get the impression that, at least, on a small scale, those things are not issues to worry about, and that is very refreshing, coming from countries where they ARE constant issues.

Ghost

[Travelous Maximus]

You're right. Every country has positives and negatives. That right there is a part of Korea's positive side.

[Rapacious Mr. Batstove]

Batstove feels it necessary to thank Ghost for his decision to cease his discourse in the third person.

I often read Daves forums and wonder to myself - where am I when the foreigner hating, ultra-narrow minded, lying, stealing native Korean faction is on parade?

One example of the super honesty or Koreans that sticks with me is:

I was waiting for a subway and decided to indulge in a Maxwell House coffee from one of the Subway vending machines. Just as I inserted my chun note and pushed the coffee with sugar and cream button, the subway rocks in.

I only had time to grab my coffee and head for the door without waiting for my 300w change. Safely in the train carriage with my coffee, hardly lamenting the loss of some small change, a Korean guy with 2 little kids just getting off had witnessed my conundrum. He looked at me standing in the train with the doors still open as we both hear the machine tinkle with the expulsion of lose change. I shrugged my shoulders in defeat, but he quickly said something to one of the kids who sprinted to the machine, grabbed my change and threw it into the carriage nearly catching his hand in the door in the process - all dispite my cry of 'kuen chun ayio'.

Putting body on the line for a foreigner's small change. That touching moment will be with me forever.....sniff

[laogaiguk]

There are probably more stories of Koreans being nice than dishonest or bad, but those are not the ones that stick in most peoples' minds unless they are really out of this world. This goes for pretty much everything in life though, it being human nature to focus (remember) the bad.

[pkang0202]

The bad stick with us more than the good.

I went camera shoppping in namdaemun with a friend and his friend. I had only met that guy today. Anyways, I found the camera I wanted for 400,000 won. I only had a credit card and the shop only took cash. While I was standing there trying to figure out what to do, the friend of my friend slipped out, went to the ATM around the corner, withdrew the cash and gave it to me. He said I looked like I really wanted the camera and that I can pay him back when I get the money.

I've also had a tear in my dress pants and the local tailoring/alterations shop fixed it for free. A lot of times when I get food, they'll either give me extra or throw in free appetizers or something.

However, it seems like it takes 1 bad experience to wipe away the effects of 10 good ones.

[jajdude]

Only once, someone took my shoes, in a goshiwon. I doubt I need to lock my door. Once i lost over a $1000 in an envelope and got it back the next day.

[aldershot]

i've had my car burgled and a motorcycle, a bicycle, and my sense of self-worth stolen by koreans.

[pest2]

Yes, it is safer in Korea. People want to seem honest. It is important to have an honest reputation. Also, one of the thing I always complain about here -- the dogmatic, ritualistic, "just because" mindset of Koreans -- works to a positive in this case because they just dont steal because.

One thing to note, however: Dont leave your valuable unattended in a concealed place. I HAVE had things stolen in situations where absolutely no one else was around to have a chance to see it happen. Ah, yes, Korea is all about perception over reality.

If no one sees, feels, or hears the tree falling in the woods, did it actually fall?

[ulsanchris]

i guess it wasn't some korean who stole my sunglasses from my locker while at the swimming pool.

[Newbie]

I've had things stolen from me in Korea (5 years= 2 bikes, wife's purse, bag at a beach, shoes at my gym...) but the OP is correct, when it comes to thievery and vandalism (and that is where it stops), it is much safer here than in the West.

Korea wins this one... 'bout time they won something.

and to those who mock the OP, he did say that it wasn't non-existent. Cut him some slack

[SPINOZA]

[princess]

Sure, there are many wonderful Koreans, but there are good and not so good folks in every country. I think too many foreigners here overestimate the honesty of Koreans because I have heard of lots of people getting robbed here. I still wouldn't turn my back on expensive shoes, or leave my door unlocked. I would lock down my bicycle, too.

[toddswift]

[badfish]

They forced Travelous Mamimus out of town so that has to be a good thing

[kaizer]

You will get your ass owned if start being so safe about someone not stealing your stuffs. Because they will.