Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Yu_Bum_suk]

- the age thing. It's not hard for Koreans to get over it when it comes to waygooks. Smoke in front of me if you're 10 years younger or female, I don't care. If you're older and want me to pour your soju with two hands I'm happy to. There's only one problem: what if you have more than one Korean friend in the same place at the same time? Suddenly everything's fucked. Getting together with a group of waygooks age 22-55 is no problem. Throw in a reciprocal group of hangooks intermixing with the waygooks and things couldn't be more awkward. It seems that if you want to do anything with hangooks and be relaxed they all have to be within five years of each other and the same gender or work for the same school / company.

- being shown off. Yes, you've got a waygook friend. Aren't you ever smart, sophisticated, and cosmopolitan. Now let's make a grand display and show off the waygook to all your lesser hangooks. Imagine spending a whole night drinking in a 'foreigner' bar full of Koreans and you're the only one with a foreigner, footing an expensive bill. Instant big-shot status, that.

- the past history factor. Oh no, I can't go to that place because of blah blah blah. I don't want to go if she's coming because of blah blah blah. I don't think I can answer your call because you're friends with him and blah blah blah happened between us. Oh, who is she? Do I know her? I don't know if I can be her friend too because I've never met her and maybe there will be some problem. Like I give a damn about every Korean's schoolboy / schoolgirl squabbles.

Don't get me wrong. I like having Korean friends and I enjoy hanging out with Koreans. But damn is it ever frustrating sometimes being around people who make things as awkward as humanly possible. As if workplaces in Korean can't be stressful enough, is it really necessary to make socialising a chore?

[princess]

I enjoy having Korean friends. I have more Korean friends than waygook friends. I am Christian, but what kind of bothers me if I am friends with a Korean who is also Christian, is that they always have to bring up church or studying the Bible when I meet them. Like they know everything about God, etc. and I don't.

[caniff]

They apparently think I am the Energizer Bunny, without any sleep requirements whatsoever.

[RACETRAITOR]

Stop hanging out with yuppies and old people and you'll rarely have these problems.

[Bibbitybop]

The women friends aren't down with "friends with benefits." Usually.

[EFLtrainer]

In groups where you are the only foreigner, the slow slide into 100% Korean and them not even noticing you're bored out of your mind. (Yes, I need to improve my Korean, but when do basic manners come into play?)

[indytrucks]

I've got plenty of Korean friends and have never once experienced any of the things you're talking about.

Maybe you just need some new Korean friends.

[mateomiguel]

[Julius]

to be honest my korean friends have been wonderful and I'm not sure how I coped without them before.

In addition to teaching me a little Korean, they have surprised me with gifts many times- clothes, shoes, evenings out. At the moment they're storing my stuff for me as I'm on a break from work.

Kind and generous:)

[wylies99]

[Wrench]

Koreans are very unreliable period.

[n3ptne]

Yeh man... my Korean friends are straight up awesome... I have no idea what I'd do without them. They go to the wall for me all the time.

[Saxiif]

[Young FRANKenstein]

[Julius]