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ajuma
Joined: 18 Feb 2003
Location: Anywere but Seoul!!
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 Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2007 6:03 am Post subject: |
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If you're a guy, don't wear a pink shirt (unless you're gay).
Don't wear socks with sandals (unless you're over 65).
Don't carry/hold your girlfriend's purse for ANY reason!
Look behind you to see if anyone else is there when you open the door to enter a building...and hold the door open if there is!
STOP signs REALLY DO mean STOP!!!!!! |
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idonojacs
Joined: 07 Jun 2007
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| Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2007 6:59 am Post subject: |
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ajuma
| Quote: |
| If you're a guy, don't wear a pink shirt (unless you're gay). |
That's not entirely true. There are shades of pink that are acceptable, specifically a pale pink oxford button down collar shirt, typically worn with a tie and jacket, the type sold at Pennys or a menswear store.
The brightly colored striped pink synthetic material shirts commonly worn here, or other bright colors, are not commonly worn by men in the States. If you are a tourist, nobody is likely to care. But if you are going for business reasons, this might not be sufficiently formal.
Obviously, Korea has plenty of stores that sell fine suits. Bring a simple white or blue shirt and sober striped tie. If you feel like it, get an American shirt and tie when you arrive. A good Korean suit and shoes will be fine.
Another thing to consider buying in the states is a sports coat or two. It is a nice change of pace from the Korean black suits.
But basically, ajuma is right; many of the colorful men's shirts here in Korea would be considered effeminate in the West. And the light brightly colored ties. Clothes aren't that expensive in the States, so you might want to pack light and get some stuff abroad. If you are gay, you might be better off wearing a button saying so. I suspect even American gays, who are often fashion conscious, would find the flashy colorful Korean shirts offensive. My guess is that a button reading "Hi, I'm gay" wouldn't get you beaten up or anything; what guys get upset about are uninvited advances, especially in airport toilets.
In the don'ts dept., don't urinate in public. This means arrest and fines, possibly jail. Go into a hotel lobby and look for a restroom, go to a fast food restaurant, try a gas station. Being a tourist might get you off by pleading ignorance. Or it might make it difficult to get back into the country.
Children can't urinate in public either, especially in supermarkets or shopping malls.
Close the door when using a public restroom, or bathroom in a home. Exposing yourself to a child could get you arrested, with a mandatory jail sentence in the years. Even though this is not a big issue here, in the States it is viewed as a child sex crime. And teachers can be banned from working if convicted of such a crime. In case you haven't figured it out, the States has some sexual hangups.
On the other hand, you can bare all if you find a legal nude beach or nudist resort. But you still have to be careful of any behavior that could be misconstrued related to children. There are federal and state laws. And states vary greatly on the nudity issue. Don't trust info on the Web; ask locally.
Oh, women in the States do not carry an open umbrella when it is sunny. They might wear a fashionable broad brimmed hat and sunglasses. Or they more likely would go out to the beach and get a tan.
When Americans go to the beach, they go swimming in the water, in bathing suits. They lie on the beach on a towel and soak up the sun. If they drink a cold beer, they conceal the label discreetly.
They pack out any litter to throw away in a trash can. ANY littering anywhere can get you a fine or arrest. Never litter in the States or any Western country, anywhere, including children. Littering was fairly common until the 1960s. Tough laws and ad campaigns pretty much ended the practice.
Jaywalking is illegal in some states, a sport in some cities. But then Koreans are better behaved in this department than Americans.
One more bit of advice: If you don't want to risk getting arrested and convicted of something you didn't do, including murder, avoid the state of Texas. They execute first and ask questions later, although things may have improved now that George Bush is no longer Governor of Texas. On the other hand.... |
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blynch
Joined: 25 Oct 2006
Location: UCLA
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| Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2007 9:35 am Post subject: |
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| sojourner1 wrote: |
Don't try it without your own car to drive around unless you're going to New York or San Francisco. YOU CAN RENT A CAR IF YOU'RE 25 OR OLDER AND HAVE A MAJOR C.C.
Don't go more than 5 MPH over the posted speed limits due to strict police. GOING 10 MPH OVER THE LIMIT SHOULD BE O.K.
Don't run red lights and stop signs, again due to strict police and the fact you will get hit by another vehicle. NO PROBLEM, JUST DONT GET CAUGHT
Don't ever do a left turn on red. WHY NOT?Don't ever bully pedestrians out of the way when they have a green or white walk signal. YOU DO THAT WITH CAUTION
Don't go the wrong way down ein bahn strasse. THAT'S FUN
Don't drive drunk or stoned. Don't even have an open, but empty beer can or bottle in the car, even if it was just trash and you didn't drink before driving. There is an open container law. AGAIN JUST DONT GET CAUGHT
Don't walk the streets of inner big cities where you don't see offices, people in suits, and high styled places. You got real affluent areas and then real impoverished areas that are high risk for getting robbed or worse. Small towns are not so bad, but then you are in a car since you have to have a car to get around. MUCH SAFER THAN YOU THINK
Do smile and have fun with all the many options you have in such a place like the U.S.A. as it is not all the same; each state is like a different country. You will enjoy all the elements of each country of world and a whole lot more at the most unexpected times such as driving in the Missouri countryside to find little Germany or Holland or down a city street to find little Korea or Vietnam. To bad there are not many pedestrian streets where arts, culture, and entertainment occur like you find in typical European cities though it looks like Europe in many parts. BULL *beep* |
YOU ARE NOT AN AMERICAN.  |
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blynch
Joined: 25 Oct 2006
Location: UCLA
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| Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2007 9:49 am Post subject: |
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| shaunew wrote: |
Don't smack your lips when you eat.
Don't slurp your soup or spaghetti.
Don't chomp your gum and make that awful clicking sound.
Don't stare at people.
Don't spit on the street never ever spit in a building. |
HAHAHA... WE AMERICANS DO ALL THOSE THINGS. YES, WE DO BECAUSE WE ARE THE AMERICANS. SO DON'T FUK WITH US.
GOD BLESS AMERICA! |
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Smee
Joined: 24 Dec 2004
Location: Jeollanam-do
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| Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2007 4:32 pm Post subject: |
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| Where's that ignore function? |
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shaunew
Joined: 17 Apr 2007
Location: Calgary
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| Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2007 5:48 pm Post subject: |
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| blynch wrote: |
| shaunew wrote: |
Don't smack your lips when you eat.
Don't slurp your soup or spaghetti.
Don't chomp your gum and make that awful clicking sound.
Don't stare at people.
Don't spit on the street never ever spit in a building. |
HAHAHA... WE AMERICANS DO ALL THOSE THINGS. YES, WE DO BECAUSE WE ARE THE AMERICANS. SO DON'T FUK WITH US.
GOD BLESS AMERICA! |
I'm not American, but I have been many times. Since my country boarders your country and I'm not Mexican, and no I'm not from Brazil. But I have never heard anyone in My country or America not 1% of the sounds Koreans make. There was this kid with Downs syndrome that could have competed with Koreans, but that's a whole different story. |
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aphong420
Joined: 06 Feb 2007
Location: KOREAAAAAAH
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| Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2007 5:49 pm Post subject: |
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| Never give unsolicited opinions. |
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Pyongshin Sangja
Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Location: I love baby!
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| Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2007 5:59 pm Post subject: |
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| Leslie Cheswyck wrote: |
| Don't walk up to a black man and say "Yo, my nigga, got a light?" |
Actually, this approach is quite acceptable if you try it in a Niles Crane-like voice... to wit:
"Yo, Negro! What is up with you, my brother? Would you perchance have a light?"
However, I would strongly suggest NOT telling the fascist immigration and/or customs thug at the airport that "I hope Al-Qaida get nukes and wipe your shithole country off the face of the earth...!"
Unless, of course, you look really good in orange and always wanted to visit a Caribbean island... |
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blynch
Joined: 25 Oct 2006
Location: UCLA
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| Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2007 11:58 pm Post subject: |
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| shaunew wrote: |
| blynch wrote: |
| shaunew wrote: |
Don't smack your lips when you eat.
Don't slurp your soup or spaghetti.
Don't chomp your gum and make that awful clicking sound.
Don't stare at people.
Don't spit on the street never ever spit in a building. |
HAHAHA... WE AMERICANS DO ALL THOSE THINGS. YES, WE DO BECAUSE WE ARE THE AMERICANS. SO DON'T FUK WITH US.
GOD BLESS AMERICA! |
I'm not American, but I have been many times. Since my country boarders your country and I'm not Mexican, and no I'm not from Brazil. But I have never heard anyone in My country or America not 1% of the sounds Koreans make. There was this kid with Downs syndrome that could have competed with Koreans, but that's a whole different story. |
I'm not kidding here... if you go to big cities like chicago, LA, nyc you will know what i mean.... so stfu if you're not american. oh and, it's called "down syndrome"... that's scientifically correct. |
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sojourner1
Joined: 17 Apr 2007
Location: Where meggi swim and 2 wheeled tractors go sput put chug alugg pug pug
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| Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 12:20 am Post subject: |
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| blynch wrote: |
| sojourner1 wrote: |
Don't try it without your own car to drive around unless you're going to New York or San Francisco. YOU CAN RENT A CAR IF YOU'RE 25 OR OLDER AND HAVE A MAJOR C.C.
Don't go more than 5 MPH over the posted speed limits due to strict police. GOING 10 MPH OVER THE LIMIT SHOULD BE O.K.
Don't run red lights and stop signs, again due to strict police and the fact you will get hit by another vehicle. NO PROBLEM, JUST DONT GET CAUGHT
Don't ever do a left turn on red. WHY NOT?Don't ever bully pedestrians out of the way when they have a green or white walk signal. YOU DO THAT WITH CAUTION
Don't go the wrong way down ein bahn strasse. THAT'S FUN
Don't drive drunk or stoned. Don't even have an open, but empty beer can or bottle in the car, even if it was just trash and you didn't drink before driving. There is an open container law. AGAIN JUST DONT GET CAUGHT
Don't walk the streets of inner big cities where you don't see offices, people in suits, and high styled places. You got real affluent areas and then real impoverished areas that are high risk for getting robbed or worse. Small towns are not so bad, but then you are in a car since you have to have a car to get around. MUCH SAFER THAN YOU THINK
Do smile and have fun with all the many options you have in such a place like the U.S.A. as it is not all the same; each state is like a different country. You will enjoy all the elements of each country of world and a whole lot more at the most unexpected times such as driving in the Missouri countryside to find little Germany or Holland or down a city street to find little Korea or Vietnam. To bad there are not many pedestrian streets where arts, culture, and entertainment occur like you find in typical European cities though it looks like Europe in many parts. BULL *beep* |
YOU ARE NOT AN AMERICAN. |
I beg to differ troll man, I was born and raised in Missouri and served in the US Army. Just because I don't have the same values as you does not mean I am not American. I do have a great deal of international perspective and influences more so than your typical American so that might make me think and talk differently than many at home do. I know what I am talking about. You are right about the rental car and that one pissed me off many times. Yes, you can break all the laws you want and get away with it most of the time, but they do come down hard on you when caught. It is not my preference to be crazy, though I have seen my fair share of craziness at home. I know many of our fellow Americans break all these laws and common courtesies and don't have any morels. I know these things, I just choose not to be that aggressive or advocate for others to be mean arses like many people are. |
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blynch
Joined: 25 Oct 2006
Location: UCLA
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| Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 12:34 am Post subject: |
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| sojourner1 wrote: |
| blynch wrote: |
| sojourner1 wrote: |
Don't try it without your own car to drive around unless you're going to New York or San Francisco. YOU CAN RENT A CAR IF YOU'RE 25 OR OLDER AND HAVE A MAJOR C.C.
Don't go more than 5 MPH over the posted speed limits due to strict police. GOING 10 MPH OVER THE LIMIT SHOULD BE O.K.
Don't run red lights and stop signs, again due to strict police and the fact you will get hit by another vehicle. NO PROBLEM, JUST DONT GET CAUGHT
Don't ever do a left turn on red. WHY NOT?Don't ever bully pedestrians out of the way when they have a green or white walk signal. YOU DO THAT WITH CAUTION
Don't go the wrong way down ein bahn strasse. THAT'S FUN
Don't drive drunk or stoned. Don't even have an open, but empty beer can or bottle in the car, even if it was just trash and you didn't drink before driving. There is an open container law. AGAIN JUST DONT GET CAUGHT
Don't walk the streets of inner big cities where you don't see offices, people in suits, and high styled places. You got real affluent areas and then real impoverished areas that are high risk for getting robbed or worse. Small towns are not so bad, but then you are in a car since you have to have a car to get around. MUCH SAFER THAN YOU THINK
Do smile and have fun with all the many options you have in such a place like the U.S.A. as it is not all the same; each state is like a different country. You will enjoy all the elements of each country of world and a whole lot more at the most unexpected times such as driving in the Missouri countryside to find little Germany or Holland or down a city street to find little Korea or Vietnam. To bad there are not many pedestrian streets where arts, culture, and entertainment occur like you find in typical European cities though it looks like Europe in many parts. BULL *beep* |
YOU ARE NOT AN AMERICAN. |
I beg to differ troll man, I was born and raised in Missouri and served in the US Army. Just because I don't have the same values as you does not mean I am not American. I do have a great deal of international perspective and influences more so than your typical American so that might make me think and talk differently than many at home do. I know what I am talking about. You are right about the rental car and that one pissed me off many times. Yes, you can break all the laws you want and get away with it most of the time, but they do come down hard on you when caught. It is not my preference to be crazy, though I have seen my fair share of craziness at home. I know many of our fellow Americans break all these laws and common courtesies and don't have any morels. I know these things, I just choose not to be that aggressive or advocate for others to be mean arses like many people are. |
"born and raised in Missouri and served in the US Army"... and now you're a teacher in Korea? wow, that's life transformation, isn't it?
btw i'm a good driver. |
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SPINOZA
Joined: 10 Jun 2005
Location: $eoul
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| Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 12:59 am Post subject: |
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Observe English manners. Do not, for example, use the expressions "give me", "sit down", "come here", "what?", "hurry up", "here!", "what do you want?", "wait!" to a stranger. Polite alternatives exist and, unlike in Korean, they cannot be deduced by rules of verb conjugation - they must be learned. When ever you would say 주세요 in Korean, use 'please' in English - almost synonyms. Also, English-speakers use 'please' and 'thank you' more often than Koreans in my opinion - it's better to thank a salesclerk for example and many people will also say 'bye' on their way out. Maybe that's picky though. This however is essential: English-speakers use 'excuse me' and 'sorry' much, much more often than Koreans. If you want someone's attention, or want someone to move out of your way, you MUST say "excuse me" or maybe even use combinations like "excuse me, please". If you push past someone in the US, you can get into trouble. See also bumping into someone - any physical contact whatsoever, even if accidental, requires a "sorry". The notion that Western people, English-speakers in particular, do not understand the concept of 'high speech' is totally untrue and levels of speech need to be learned if you're to make a favorable impression.
Don't say "nice to meet you" every time you see someone.
Don't mix up L and R. Don't pronounce Z as J. People will not understand what you're saying. Don't mix up 'bored' and 'boring'. The statement "I think you're a little boring" is extremely offensive and those not familiar with Koreans - everyone in the whole world - will take offence to this statement.
Don't be offended if the vast majority of people you meet don't know anything whatsoever about Korea. Expect North Korea to be more famous than South.
Relax around blacks and do not ever say the n-word. It's the most offensive word in the English language. In fact, don't make any observations about race whatsoever. Even a sentence seemingly only descriptive in nature like "there are many black people there" sounds uncomfortable to many English-speakers. |
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shaunew
Joined: 17 Apr 2007
Location: Calgary
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| Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 1:14 am Post subject: |
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| Thinking about, all the rude and retarded things Koreans do. It's better you just stay home. |
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Qinella
Joined: 25 Feb 2005
Location: the crib
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| Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 7:13 am Post subject: |
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| shaunew wrote: |
| Thinking about, all the rude and retarded things Koreans do. It's better you just stay home. |
That's what I always tell Koreans who ask me about traveling to America. I tell them it's far too dangerous, everyone hates Koreans and will probably perpetrate a hate crime against them, and that it's best to just never leave Korea. This is the advice I actually give. You know how gullible Koreans are. I get them nice and skeert. |
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blynch
Joined: 25 Oct 2006
Location: UCLA
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| Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 9:20 am Post subject: |
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| shaunew wrote: |
| Thinking about, all the rude and retarded things Koreans do. It's better you just stay home. |
you have problems... attitude problems. |
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