Korean Job Discussion Forums

mrsquirrel · Joined: 13 Dec 2006

Does it really matter if somebody stares at you?

Is it such an offensive thing to do to look at something which is alien to the environment that they live in.

I stared at a piece of white dog crap for a good five minutes a year or so ago. I hadn't seen white dog crap since I was a child. I had wondered where it had gone and it was alien to me so I stared at it.

Dev · Joined: 18 Apr 2006

ajgeddes · Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Location: Yongsan

Mix1 · Joined: 08 May 2007

jcan · Joined: 08 Oct 2006

whenever someone stares rudely at me, I make a funny face. Cross my eyes, open them as wide as I can, open my mouth, etc.

flint · Joined: 11 Apr 2004

My first year in Korea I didn't notice it as much. When I did I just tended to slough it off. I really started noticing it more in my second year here. A friend of mine from the US ALWAYS noticed when he was being stared at. It made me start paying more attention. And it isn't just that they are looking, it is like others say, the way they stare is hostile or insulting. Add in the pointing, the poignant moan of "waaaaygooookin", or whatever other stupid comment they make at the time and it is insulting.

One day I decided to find out if it was rude in Korea or not. Some people (apologists) tried saying it was cultural not rude. Well, according to Korean's it is rude. They would never stare at a Korean like that, or point, especially if the person were older. (Talking about what is considered rude and not rude can make for interesting discussions in class.)

One of the stupidest places I have seen this is at Incheon Airport. You will see Korean's all agog because there are foreigners at an ... INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

Once I was at Burger King there with a friend before our flights. The Koreans sitting beside us kept glancing over to stare and nattered waygooking this and megookin that. My friend understand most of what they said and ended up lighting into them for being rude. They left and were replaced by another couple who started doing the same thing. Seriously, who the **** goes to an International Airport and is surprised to see foreigners there?

I was only in Japan for a couple of days last year but initially it felt strange. Then I realized why. No one was staring. No one was pointing. There were no comments being bandied about saying "gaijin" this or that. It was refreshing. When I got back to Korea I wasn't out of customs/immigration 5 minutes before I was subjected to staring, pointing, and other stupidity. One guy almost tore his wifes arm off as he spun her around while pointing and moaning wayyyygook! waaaygook!

normalcyispasse · Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2007 9:12 pm Post subject:

I've been following this thread with interest.

I live in Yeosu, prospective home of the 2012 World Expo. Yeosu is REALLY EXCITED that it has a chance to be host to the Expo, and to show the world that it's a grown-up city.

Still, though, stares EVERY DAY. I moved here in October 2005 and every single day I've been stared at. Yes, I'm a big white guy -- yes, I'm a foreigner. Wow! I've taken either to staring right back at them or, when I hear "waygookin!" or "miguksaram!" I tell them (in Korean) that, no, I'm a Korean person.

God, I hate being a zoo creature. I won't miss that when I leave.

Doogie · Joined: 19 Jan 2006 Location: Hwaseong City

mrsquirrel · Joined: 13 Dec 2006

Qinella · Joined: 25 Feb 2005 Location: the crib

The stone face was already mentioned in the OP, so why is it being ignored by the OP and others? It's just a standard look for many Koreans, especially older ones, and is not necessarily hostile. I can't even count how many times I've had someone give me the "hostile staredown" and then crack a smile and bow to me when I'd greet them.

You can try being cool to people and seeing what happens. It's not like everyone's out to get you.

And, yes, I will throw this in here: I was just in the US for a few months and I paid a lot of attention to public behavior vs. Korean public behavior. Any time I saw a mixed race couple, people were staring, although not as conspicuously as they do in the US. A lot of times, the couple would walk by, and then everyone would turn and look at them from behind. A lot of non-whites were stared at by whites. I'd even find myself staring at people who looked different. It's a curiosity, and a thing that piques one's interest, and you'd have to be a douche bag to assume it's always because the person doesn't like you.

Lotta you real full of yourselves.

ajgeddes · Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Location: Yongsan

Sometimes when people are really, really, really staring at you, just start doing weird things. Act like a monkey and pretend to pick the lice out of your hair and start eating it. Scratch the top of your head and armpit at the same time. Then just stop suddenly and look right back at the person and laugh. I did this once, and the person snapped right out of it and laughed as well.

Julius · Joined: 27 Jul 2006

That thousand yard stare is certainly irritating. Its virtually always from men.
Problem with reacting to bad behaviour in korea is that its constant and unrelenting, so you're going to exhaust yourself rebuffing it 365 days a year.
The staring and the obvious social ostracism are the double whammy.

Dev · Joined: 18 Apr 2006

Lao Wai · Joined: 01 Aug 2005 Location: East Coast Canada

Dev · Joined: 18 Apr 2006

I don't like the staring because it's a form of negative communication. By recognizing my presence with a stare, they're communicating with me. The problem is, I rarely feel that what is being said to me by the gesture is positive.

I wish these people would consider more how they interact with foreigners. If you wanna interact with me, say "Hi" for God's sake. Very Happy