Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mrsquirrel]

I've read many threads now on Daves where people have acted aggressively towards other people because of cultural differences or the what would appear to be a build of tension over time.

I know that in my early days living in Thailand I used to find things frustrating but I never felt the urge to get up and scream and shout at somebody. I never felt the urge to be violent towards people or damage them or their property.

I had several near misses on my bikes and in my car. I always just thanked myself that I wasn't hurt or killed. I knew that getting angry could either end up with me getting hurt/shot or just having high blood pressure. I always knew that I wouldn't be able to change things.

Maybe it's different in Korea. Maybe it's the people or the food or the climate that makes it easier for foreigners to blow up and start behaving aggressively towards people.

I know that things can be frustrating and at times out right dangerous out here. It's one of the charms of living here. If people want comfort and normality that they are used to then stay home and be angry there.

It's time to relax people. All you are going to do is stress yourselves out and shorten your life. You ain't going to change anything.

Chill.

Q

[JD1982]

I find Korean to be very rude in general.

The rudeness irritates me and I do feel that I'm becoming aggressive than if I were back home.

[oxfordstu]

It's a lot different in Thailand. You live there a lot longer than me, so I can only imagine how you felt coming here. Truth be told, I went to Thailand to teach because I was sick of the rudeness and xenophobia that I experienced in Korea. Towards the end of my contract I really felt angry, mostly at my workplace for treating me like shit, but that came out in other aspects as well. I wanted something the polar opposite. So I went to Thailand, and although there were frustrations there as well, it was nothing compared to working at a shitty haggie in Korea. Now that I'm back it's much MUCH better working for a public school (so far).....

[JongnoGuru]

First of all, understand that Koreans themselves are extraordinarily aggressive. Just ask the Filipinos, the Thais, the Indonesians or anyone else who's been on the receiving end of Korean tourists or businessmen. And remember that those people don't have the axes to grind that Daver-heads do. They haven't been financially ass-raped by their young-oe hagwon bosses, or propositioned by Korean cabbies, or been given the int'l debit-card/mobile phone/credit-card/remittance/etc. runaround for the 20th time by Korean bank tellers, et al. Aggressive, rude, inconsiderate, prone to confrontation, insular, hidebound, narrow-minded, provincial... and the list goes on, but "aggressive" is probably right at the top.



So yes, to the degree we're all becoming snappish and defensive and ready to start swinging at the drop of a hat, all it shows is we've gone native.

[nobbyken]

I find Korean's very "Jekyl & Hyde".

They are mostly the nicest, friendly, do-anything-for-you types........
......but then when I am driving, oh boy. They can be so rude, loud, and just in a permanent rush to go somewhere.....oblivious to other road users.

I am trying not to become Korean in my attitude and personality, you gotta keep a balance to live in harmony with a culture.

[nautilus]

I suspect that the fact we can't speak korean, and getting into "trouble" here involves a lot of hassle carried out in incomprehensible language, with little prospect of things going your way and high prospect of things expensively not going your way,,- results in the fact that many foreigners just do not routinely express anger with the impulsive abandon they would back home. Or at least you suck it up until there is something genuinely worthwhile fighting over.

You become a passive aggressive here. Its more about patience and control, calculation and thought before act.

[ajgeddes]

I don't think Korea makes foreigners aggressive, I think Korea makes everybody a little aggressive. Have you ever been anywhere where you see so much fighting and arguing in public? They aren't quiet arguments either, they are full blast. I have never seen so many fights with older men in my life than I have seen here.

[shifdog]

Korea is the Wild Wild West of the 21st century.

[Milwaukiedave]

[Milwaukiedave]

I think the OP has a reasonable point. For instance, as a pedistrian, I'm quite vocal because cars will literally try to run you over as you cross the street.

As someone else said in another thread, all people care about is getting there a few minutes faster. If they have to literally run people down doing that they don't give a rip.

My opinion is you have to be homacidal or suicidal to drive in Korea.

[mrsquirrel]

[The_Conservative]

[captain kirk]

[TheDude]

This thread was cleaned up to remove to insults, swear filter dodges and the references to V-tech which have no room at all in this thread.

Keep on topic, leave the insults out.

[RJjr]