Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Howard Roark]

I think the general opinion of foreigners is that Koreans are not likely to steal from you - snatch your bag while you're asleep on the train for example.

I agree.

But what if they find something that's been lost? Do you think Koreans are any more or less likely (than us) to seek out the owner? Do you think they are more likely to try and find a fellow-Korean owner than a foreigner?

These questions are on my mind because I lost my purse on Saturday. I was simply walking home from a day of shopping and dropped my purse somewhere on the road, near my house.

*more after my class*

[kat2]

You should report it to the local police station. I think thats the routine when you lose something. Also, I hope you have already cancelled all your cards. Good luck!

[poet13]

I think in large part it depends on where you are. I'm in a small place. It seems like EVERYONE knows me....and likes me! If I dropped something that could be identified as mine, I bet I'd get it back. I wouldn't feel the same way in Seoul... I've heard some good stories about people getting stuff back though....minus the cash... Good luck, let us know what happens.

[Howard Roark]

*continued*

I did report it at the police station, which is next to my apartment.

There were no credit cards in my purse. But there was my mom's credit card number written on a bit of paper. She cancelled it right away.

My alien card and bank card were in my wallet. If some ambitious person found it, they could contact immigration or even the bank. Either of those would certainly be able to contact me or my boss.

So, it seems to me if someone wanted to they could get it back to me.

I know what it's like to lose stuff. It sucks. If I found something, like a purse, I would exhaust every possible means of getting it back to the person.

Sadly, I don't think most people would. Not only in Korea, but probably anywhere.

Even my students (adults) said they didn't think people would return it, and even they themselves might just keep it. They also said they thought a Korean person was less likely to try to return something to a foreigner.

What would you do? Honestly.

[Colorado]

I'd make every effort to return it, as would most people, be they Korean, American, Canadian or whatever.

[MikeJ123]

I lost my wallet one time when i first arrived. I got my wallet back in few weeks with all the cards and stuff still inside except my money. They mailed it to me to my house. There was only 5k won in there

[RACETRAITOR]

If they return it, you have to get mad and ask where your 1 000 000 won cheque went. It's tradition.

[kermo]

I've lost my wallet an amazing number of times in the last year. A couple of times I've left it behind or dropped it, a couple of times I suspect it's been pinched. A couple times... well, if I told you that then you'd know how many times I've lost it.

Anyway, the sad story is that not one of these wallets has been returned to me, regardless of the ID inside.

[gyopogirlfromtexas]

One time my dumbass self left my whole purse on the bus. I couldn't believe I've done something this retarded. I'm walking off as I get off the bus and while it's starting to move a bunch of ajumas are yelling to get my attention and had my purse hanging out the window. I ran a little to get it, but that was really sweet of them.

[RACETRAITOR]

If you get someone's ID card you can essentially become them. Not a big deal for us because our cards are useless, but a serious threat to a Korean.

[princess]