Korean Job Discussion Forums

the eye · Joined: 29 Jan 2004

Seems to happen to me almost every day. Today, 3 times in 2 hours.

You're walking down the street, approaching a gaggle of Koreans, consumed in conversation, clearly speaking in their own tongue.
As you are about to pass by, one of them shoots an English line.
"I'm beddy hungly", or "Do you want to water?, or "Is beddy hass"

My new pet peeve. And i've been trying to think up a good one liner to shoot back. One that doesn't go over their heads.

Is this a Daegu phenomenon? Because I've ner experienced it anywhere else in Korea.

Alyallen

dogbert · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Location: Killbox 90210

That happens quite a bit, usually accompanied by some giggling.

oneofthesarahs · Joined: 05 Nov 2006 Location: Sacheon City

This weekend I was sitting on a bus a few rows in front of a little boy and his parents. I'm not great at understanding Korean, but the gist of their conversation went something like this:

Little boy: Oh! A foreigner! I want to talk to her!
Dad: (totally not interested) Uh-huh.
Little boy: I want to practice English!
Dad: (still not interested) Uh-huh. Then talk to her.
Little boy: I don't know what to say.

Then they brainstormed English phrases, coming up with such original gems as "Hello," "How are you?" and "Nice to meet you." The boy threw in a few words such as "head shot" and "monster." Obviously I wasn't that far from them and could hear everything they were saying, so the boy wasn't exactly going to be able to sneak attack me with any English. They eventually asked the mom for some English phrases and she thoughtfully added "Let's go" and "Lady first."

Eventually they scrapped the whole idea of talking to me at all. It was really kind of refreshing to hear Koreans basically say, "Maybe I shouldn't talk to the random foreigner if I don't know any English."

jajdude · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

It happens frequently enough. I find it odd and don't really understand why they do it. They are never actually speaking to me or whoever may be with me, but they seem to get a kick out of using some English while knowing you can hear them. Strange and kind of annoying.

PimpofKorea · Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2007 7:50 am Post subject:

Yeah I remember one time I walked by some high school dudes...and they switched to English for no reason. Then I said "Nae Jaji Keuda" ( I have a big dingaling) I also grabbed it to further drive home the point.....God I love being a prik.....

Qinella · Joined: 25 Feb 2005 Location: the crib

My favorite thing is when you pass by an ajoshi and he starts saying "okay, okay" to whoever he's talking to. That one never fails to impress my discerning ear!

I already made a thread about this same topic a year ago (thread here). The stories from the OP are pretty funny.

Qinella · Joined: 25 Feb 2005 Location: the crib

PimpofKorea · Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2007 8:02 am Post subject:

Qinella · Joined: 25 Feb 2005 Location: the crib

PimpofKorea · Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2007 8:16 am Post subject:

Qinella · Joined: 25 Feb 2005 Location: the crib

Is he really your type?

PimpofKorea · Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2007 8:27 am Post subject:

kotakji · Joined: 23 Oct 2006

Well I guess I should admit that sometimes I switch from English to Korean whenever a particularly scowling individual nears me and my wife just to prove that yes, some foreigners can adapt (and to preempt any potentially divisive comments).

jaganath69 · Joined: 17 Jul 2003

I usually inform them that any attempt at an impromptu English lesson will result in me flicking the meter on at $40 bucks an hour.