Korean Job Discussion Forums

milkweedma · Joined: 15 Dec 2006

Last night went for dinner at Lotteria at a nearby town and missed my train home cos I got talking with the first foreigner I have seen for about three weeks.
So, i thought i would simply catch the next train with my pre purchased ticket except the N.A.Z.I Korean turnstile attendent wouldnt let me go through to the platform because the ticket was for the previous train. An argument ensued that became very heated and i stormed past him onto the platform. If i hadnt done this i would have been stuck in that town cos i had not enough money left to buy another ticket.
Anyway, im on the platform, the train arrives, the doors open and i try to board the train but this guy grabs strongly me and slaps his own cheek twice to initiate me to hit him which i refused. Two older train guards come over and sort it out and let me get on the train. This train isnt stopping at my town (I didnt know this cos usually they do) so im dropped off 4ks away from my home town and do the 40 min walk thing.
Moral of the story perhaps is do everything the Korean way and dont assume they will be flexible or open minded or fair. They cant think outside the square but i already knew that.
How would you guys handle this situation?

Dev · Joined: 18 Apr 2006

Sorry to hear about your bad experience.

My experiences with Korean subway workers have always been positive. A couple of times I took the train in the wrong direction and the subway workers took pity on the poor confused foreigner and allowed me to change sides without paying again.

To give them credit, usually Koreans will cut foreigners some slack. Are you a gyopo?

milkweedma · Joined: 15 Dec 2006

nope im a white kiwi. it wasnt the subway either it was Korail out in the sticks.

nautilus · Joined: 26 Nov 2005 Location: Je jump, Tu jump, oui jump!

i thought you said it was fight?

just a guy slapping himself? Rolling Eyes

This thread is almost as bad as the "Last night I almost thought about nearly killing a Korean guy" thread.

Dev · Joined: 18 Apr 2006

cbclark4 · Joined: 20 Aug 2006 Location: Masan

Sounds like the guy was doing his job. You should have returned to the ticket counter for a refund and a new ticket to your correct destination.

just because · Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: Changwon - 4964

I understand your frustration but you were really in the wrong, not the ticket attendant. He is just doing his job as your seat would have been numbered and you might have been taking someone elses seat...

In that situation you should have just went to the ticket office and explained the situation and they would have made you a new ticket for the next train at no(or minimal) cost....

You are putting this down to koreans being too rigid and being racist but you would not have been let on any train in the west either.
It is just because of you that you were late...I am no apologist but I am a realist.

milkweedma · Joined: 15 Dec 2006

i tried the refund or new ticket idea too but the ticket attendant refused. i suspect she told this guy about me and he was waiting for me because i was the only person he asked to see their tickets. He could of cut me some slack but i wasnt a pretty woman which usually works for them

milkweedma · Joined: 15 Dec 2006

and the train was 98% empty, so that wasnt an issue either.

blaseblasphemener · Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2007 10:18 pm Post subject:

Sounds like you are a little disorganized, missing your train and not having any extra money on you. Think ahead a little next time.

atomic42 · Joined: 06 Jul 2007 Location: Gimhae

You would have been arrested and possibly investigated for links to terrorism anywhere in Europe, US, etc. Consider yourself lucky.

unknown9398 · Joined: 03 Nov 2006 Location: Yeongcheon, S. Korea

Maybe the turnstile attendant didn't want to let you on the train because he knew that it wouldn't stop at the station where you wanted to go.

ruffie · Joined: 11 Oct 2006

Obviously you haven't learned the essentiall method to getting the best result from these situations. Just put on a sad, puppy dog face and throw your hands up in despair. Koreans will always take pity on you then, and help you out. They think you are a retarded, subhuman gorilla anyway, and noone likes to see an animal in pain, even Koreans (unless it's a dog or cat). It helps if you're short, cute and have big eyes. This might be hard for a big strapping dude to pull off. Try practicing in front of a mirror.

koon_taung_daeng · Joined: 28 Jan 2007 Location: south korea

what a horrible gay thread.you didint even fight.. dont waste our time

atomic42 · Joined: 06 Jul 2007 Location: Gimhae

Gay?
What's gay about it?