Korean Job Discussion Forums

endo · Joined: 14 Mar 2004 Location: Seoul...my home

So I was at Incheon Airport last week and after checking in I decided to go to Burger King for a quick snack.

I was waiting in line and just before I was about to place my order an elderly Korean man cut in front of me.

Now a very similar experience like this happened to me when I first arrived in Seoul three years back and being a newbie and all I let the old man step in front of me.

But I'm not a newbie anymore, so when the older Korean guy cut in front of me this time I put a forearm to his side and moved him out of the way.

He looked at me with a shocked and horrified look.

Then as I was placing my order I heard him mutter something something 미국 (meegook). Obviously he was cursing me out and used my assumed nationality as an American to do it.

The thing is, I'm Canadian, but didn't correct him on it.

So with that said I've added to the anti-American sentiments in this country. Sorry about that.

But it felt great doing it!

(By the way, I later saw the older Korean man order a burger and fries, so he wasn't just asking for some tissues or something minimal.)

mercury · Joined: 05 Dec 2004 Location: Pusan

No problemo. Next time wear a white dress shirt, wa-lmart tie, and some blue slacks. Get a black pin with your name : 'ELDER ENDO' on it and pin it on your chest. NOW, you can do anything you want! GET DRUNK, carry around a huge plastic bottle of HITE beer, push old azumas, sit next to married women and show them condoms you bought in the bathroom machines, invite them into telephone booths, HAVE FUN! you will be doing THE WORLD a favor!

endo · Joined: 14 Mar 2004 Location: Seoul...my home

cwemory · Joined: 14 Jan 2006 Location: Gunpo, Korea

He's reffering to Mormon missionaries.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mormon_missionary

TiGrBaLm · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Location: Hubcap of Asia

Bibbitybop · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

Don't apologize for letting some dikhead think Americans (and all foreigners) don't put up with people's shiot.

jajdude · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

He cut in front, you didn't let him, that's good. No doubt now he's the one who thinks you were a jerk, and by extension in many an ajosshi's mind, that makes 'Americans' rude!

Amazing. Nice rational thought process there old guy. I love seeing characters like that out of their element.

esetters21 · Joined: 30 Apr 2006 Location: Seoul

VirginIslander · Joined: 24 May 2006 Location: Busan

You put that Chinaman in his place.

buster brown · Joined: 26 Aug 2005 Location: Seoul

In February I was in Incheon Airport on my way back to the States for a couple of weeks. After I had cleared security, I went to the counter at the gate because I usually ask for exit-row seating if I don't get it at check-in. A middle-aged ajumma walked right past me--I was at the front of a short line--and started asking the flight attendants questions. I thought to myself "Technically we're not in Korea anymore since we've checked through customs, I don't have to put up with line-cutting for the next two weeks." So, I tapped her on the shoulder and asked "Mwa hae yo?" She got this look like she'd been caught with her hand in the cookie jar, but she quickly walked to the back of the line. I'm sure there were some dirty remarks, but she knew she was in the wrong. She was just counting on everyone letting her throw her weight around.

HapKi · Joined: 10 Dec 2004 Location: TALL BUILDING-SEOUL

Qinella · Joined: 25 Feb 2005 Location: the crib

Hey Endo, I think that kind of thing's happened to a lot of us here. Funny thing about it for me is that I actually am American, so I can't get huffy when they assume that about me. Very Happy

Side note: the times I get cut in front of, I'll use a phrase rather than making physical contact: 나 먼저 기다리고 있었는데. (I was waiting first.) That might be helpful for those who can speekie Koreanie.

kotakji · Joined: 23 Oct 2006

djsmnc · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Location: Dave's ESL Cafe

Man, after all the great things our government has done to make a lasting positive impression, and you shoot it all down by angering a pushy old man.

Don't you realize one of the golden rules of customer service: for every one customer that you provide a bad experience for, you will lose ten customers. I think that could apply in this situation. Thanks a lot!

Vicissitude · Joined: 27 Feb 2007 Location: Chef School

Every time I've been to that blasted airport, I've had to encounter far too many rude old Korean men. I've been to that airport at least 10 times. In the end I learned how to run over the back of their heels as I push my cart. It's their fault for stepping in front of me and expecting me to slow down and go around THEM. Sure they bitch me out. I just say, "OOOOPPPPSSS." They are so rude! Why not be rude right back?! Eye for an eye... It's also my backlash for all the pushing they've done to me (on purpose) every single time I've stood in line for anything in Korea.