Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Doogie]

........O.K., the subject title was a bit dramatic. But many a time I feel like a leper when I ride on the bus or subway in this country. I can be on a full bus or car and no Korean will sit beside me. Even when it means they have to stand for 20+ minutes. I know us white guys are supposed to be horny devils, but I'm pretty sure you can't catch an STD by sitting beside someone. I smell nice......I put on deodorant and even wear cologne (Hugo Boss, at that!). Today, I was on a jam packed bus with an open seat beside me and about 20 people were standing. WTF!! I actually turned to a woman and gestured to the seat and she just said,"anieo-kompsahomnida". Finally, a high school girl got on th bus and, no kidding, she looked at the seat and she looked at all the people standing up. She just smiled at me, shook her head, and sat down. I knew she wouldn't understand what I said, but I turned to her and said,"sweetie, I think your way too open minded to live in this country". O.K., I know this is a relatively xenophobic society, but why in God's name would anyone want to stand for 20-30 minutes when they could relax comfortably? Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining. More room for me . I just don't get the reasoning.

[schwa]

I dont understand why men wear perfume (cologne, whatever) or women either when they slosh it on -- gives me a headache. I only notice this on expats.

[Tony_Balony]

I welcome the empty seat next to me and I think its a perk.

[Doogie]

[Doogie]

[Fresh Prince]

I thought this thread was going to be about leprosy ... I saw a woman that appeared to have it, several months ago.

Ya, I've been told that westerners have a different smell, although it wasn't a Korean person that said so. One person said it's because we eat different types of food that can be detected when we sweat.

[JMO]

I read a really good fantasy book were the main charachter had leprosy. I was looking forward to having a good talk about it.

Now that I see its yet another 'koreans won't sit next to me' threads, I have to say I'm disappointed.

[schwa]

[twg]

[VanIslander]

and yet there are times when, say, in an empty movie theatre, they just have to come sit beside you!

Koreans and their group collectivity

the restaurant is empty guys, you don't have to come noisily smack your gums and chew with your mouth open next to me!

call it anti-leprosy or magnetism,... a common affliction in these parts

[SeoulShakin]

People always sit beside me. Never usually a problem.

Once in a blue moon, someone will look at me, and choose another empty seat, but they never stand for the ride just to avoid me. Sometimes it seems as though people try to sit beside me intentionally.

No leprosy here.

[Doogie]

[kermo]

I have a very sweet Korean gal pal who is dating her first foreign boyfriend. He's not overly preoccupied with hygiene, and I tried to warn him that deodorant is a must but to avoid strong cologne, aftershave, etc. Anyway, I am not sure he took my advice, as she asked me after swimming lessons,

"Can Western people smell each other?"

[CentralCali]

[Doogie]