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Mix1
Joined: 08 May 2007
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 Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 5:22 pm Post subject: Things foreigners do that confuse or irritate Koreans... |
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This is a spinoff from a thread about Koreans as expats or tourists in other countries and the things they may do that confuse or irritate the locals. For example, markedly different behaviors and attitudes, etc.
But...as foreigners in Korea, aren't we in a similar position to be misunderstood? And if so, what are some of the common things we "foreigners" aka "weygukin" do that irritate or confuse many Koreans?
(other than simply being "foreign" in Korea...)
While cultural relativism is probably unavoidable, I'm guessing knowing some of these things (i.e. culturally ingrained attitudes, behaviors, habits, etc.) might help us avoid some misunderstandings once in a while...
Also, I'm not saying we necessarily need to apologize for said behaviors or attitudes, just wondering what they are...
thanks. |
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seoulsucker
Joined: 05 Mar 2006
Location: The Land of the Hesitant Cutoff
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| Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 5:33 pm Post subject: |
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| I would have to say level of noise in public is probably one of the big ones. On the subway, on trains, in restaurants, bars, etc. North Americans especially seem to be a bit louder. |
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oxfordstu
Joined: 28 Aug 2004
Location: Bangkok
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| Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 5:47 pm Post subject: |
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| seoulsucker wrote: |
| I would have to say level of noise in public is probably one of the big ones. On the subway, on trains, in restaurants, bars, etc. North Americans especially seem to be a bit louder. |
Yeah, but that's true pretty much anywhere. I'm an American, and when I was living in England, a bunch of us went up to the Cotswalds. We definitely got stared at in the pubs up there because we were so loud.
As far as the OP, sometimes I think just us being here annoys Koreans, or even worse, having a Korean girlfriend. |
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Scotticus
Joined: 18 Mar 2007
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| Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 5:56 pm Post subject: |
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| seoulsucker wrote: |
| North Americans especially seem to be a bit louder. |
In a normal setting, I'd agree that North Americans are generally a louder bunch, but Korea doesn't exactly get an accurate sample of the populations from the different English-speaking countries. I'd argue that, at least in Korea, the Aussies and Brits are just as bad as the NA's. Can't say I've ran into any loudmouth Kiwis, though. |
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Yu_Bum_suk
Joined: 25 Dec 2004
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| Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 6:22 pm Post subject: |
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| Not knowing the exact ages of people we introduce Koreans to really, really annoys the piss out of some Koreans. |
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RACETRAITOR
Joined: 24 Oct 2005
Location: Seoul, South Korea
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| Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 6:23 pm Post subject: Re: Things foreigners do that confuse or irritate Koreans... |
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I have a few:
-speaking very loudly about Koreans or Korea in the presence of a large crowd of Koreans
-drinking straight out of those 2L beer jugs (just not classy)
-treating Koreans like pet dogs
-getting angry when they discover dating norms are different from where they came from and not every Korean girl is as eager for her brown wings like they were back in Lethbridge
-trying to pay with American money (only seen soldiers do this)
-tipping, then insisting the Korean takes the tip when they refuse
-giving up seats on the subway to girls (she's not on the subway to get picked up by some sweaty white dude)
-getting angry about businesses that discriminate, particularly when the business in question is prostitution
-getting too drunk and really flying off the handle
-making glaring generalisations about all Koreans
Of course not all foreigners do these things, and about half of them I can attribute to the same person |
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ajgeddes
Joined: 28 Apr 2004
Location: Yongsan
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| Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 6:24 pm Post subject: |
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| seoulsucker wrote: |
| I would have to say level of noise in public is probably one of the big ones. On the subway, on trains, in restaurants, bars, etc. North Americans especially seem to be a bit louder. |
The funny things is, we are still not as loud as Koreans. Just as soon as they can't understand it, it's just noise and they get annoyed. |
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ajgeddes
Joined: 28 Apr 2004
Location: Yongsan
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| Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 6:26 pm Post subject: Re: Things foreigners do that confuse or irritate Koreans... |
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| RACETRAITOR wrote: |
I have a few:
-speaking very loudly about Koreans or Korea in the presence of a large crowd of Koreans
-drinking straight out of those 2L beer jugs (just not classy)
-treating Koreans like pet dogs
-getting angry when they discover dating norms are different from where they came from and not every Korean girl is as eager for her brown wings like they were back in Lethbridge
-trying to pay with American money (only seen soldiers do this)
-tipping, then insisting the Korean takes the tip when they refuse
-giving up seats on the subway to girls (she's not on the subway to get picked up by some sweaty white dude)
-getting angry about businesses that discriminate, particularly when the business in question is prostitution
-getting too drunk and really flying off the handle
-making glaring generalisations about all Koreans
Of course not all foreigners do these things, and about half of them I can attribute to the same person |
Isn't this supposed to be about things Koreans don't do, but we do and they find annoying? Or is this just anything they find annoying even if they do it themselves. I'm comfused. |
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Alyallen
Joined: 29 Mar 2004
Location: The 4th Greatest Place on Earth = Jeonju!!!
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| Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 6:26 pm Post subject: |
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| Yu_Bum_suk wrote: |
| Not knowing the exact ages of people we introduce Koreans to really, really annoys the piss out of some Koreans. |
Which is interesting since in another thread, some people were talking about their experiences with people who believe there is no polite tone in English...so if that is a generally accepted assumption (and please notice the IF) why should they care how old someone is if the language used is English?
obviously if the language is korean, it's a whole other story.... |
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Alyallen
Joined: 29 Mar 2004
Location: The 4th Greatest Place on Earth = Jeonju!!!
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| Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 6:27 pm Post subject: |
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| ajgeddes wrote: |
| seoulsucker wrote: |
| I would have to say level of noise in public is probably one of the big ones. On the subway, on trains, in restaurants, bars, etc. North Americans especially seem to be a bit louder. |
The funny things is, we are still not as loud as Koreans. Just as soon as they can't understand it, it's just noise and they get annoyed. |
Indeed |
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RACETRAITOR
Joined: 24 Oct 2005
Location: Seoul, South Korea
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| Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 6:35 pm Post subject: Re: Things foreigners do that confuse or irritate Koreans... |
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| ajgeddes wrote: |
Isn't this supposed to be about things Koreans don't do, but we do and they find annoying? Or is this just anything they find annoying even if they do it themselves. I'm comfused. |
Oops, I was listing things other foreigners do that annoy me. |
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ajgeddes
Joined: 28 Apr 2004
Location: Yongsan
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| Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 6:42 pm Post subject: Re: Things foreigners do that confuse or irritate Koreans... |
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| RACETRAITOR wrote: |
| ajgeddes wrote: |
Isn't this supposed to be about things Koreans don't do, but we do and they find annoying? Or is this just anything they find annoying even if they do it themselves. I'm comfused. |
Oops, I was listing things other foreigners do that annoy me. |
In that case, I agree with you. I could add more to that list too. |
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Vicissitude
Joined: 27 Feb 2007
Location: Chef School
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| Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 6:42 pm Post subject: |
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| ajgeddes wrote: |
| seoulsucker wrote: |
| I would have to say level of noise in public is probably one of the big ones. On the subway, on trains, in restaurants, bars, etc. North Americans especially seem to be a bit louder. |
The funny things is, we are still not as loud as Koreans. Just as soon as they can't understand it, it's just noise and they get annoyed. |
Yes, bear this in mind when you are alone on the subway or train and you must take a very urgent cell phone call. The second you answer, Koreans stare, then glare, then give that evil eye and jab you in the side (if you are sitting next to one). I am not that loud either. Meanwhile, there could be five other Koreans on their cell phones screaming about nonsense and that is fine.  |
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Mix1
Joined: 08 May 2007
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| Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 6:48 pm Post subject: |
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Right... I mean things we foreigners do in Korea that rub Koreans the wrong way (beyond just "being" a foreigner) ...
So that some tension or misunderstanding could at times be avoided. Of course it cuts both ways, but right now I'm wondering about "our" behaviors and attitudes. So, any Koreans or foreigners "in the know" about some of these things please feel free to post...
thanks. |
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ajgeddes
Joined: 28 Apr 2004
Location: Yongsan
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| Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 6:52 pm Post subject: |
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| Mix1 wrote: |
Right... I mean things we foreigners do in Korea that rub Koreans the wrong way (beyond just "being" a foreigner) ...
So that some tension or misunderstanding could at times be avoided. Of course it cuts both ways, but right now I'm wondering about "our" behaviors and attitudes. So, any Koreans or foreigners "in the know" about some of these things please feel free to post...
thanks. |
But that's just the thing. It doesn't have to be different. Like somebody else said, if there are 6 people all talking loudly on their phones, and one is a foreigner, that will be annoying to many people, while the 5 Korean people talking loudly on the phone doesn't even register on their radar. |
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