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Korean Job Discussion Forums "The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!"
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shawner88

Joined: 01 Feb 2003
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Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2003 4:04 am Post subject: A time when you REALLY wish you could speak Korean |
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Tonight was one of those nights when I really wish I could speak Korean fluently.
I shop at the same store on a regular basis. Almost always the same woman is at the check out counter. And, almost everytime, I say anyonghaseyo, pay holding the money with two hands and say gomap sumnida afterward. It's not much but it's polite. She, of course, never says anything. Usually it doesn't bother me. Tonight however it really ticked me off. I spend a lot of money there from week to week buying groceries and she must know it. Tonight I bought over 50,000 won worth of stuff. She didn't even look at me or offer me a bag, she just held out her hand impatiently for the money which I gave her. Again she didn't even look at me and in fast forward speed gave me my change and started to ring up the next person. I had to reach over the counter to get a bag, which she then said I have to wait and pay 20 won for it. That did it. I was so pissed off at her rudeness but I couldn't express myself to her. I wanted to tell her off badly. All I could do was turn red, say "ya! o-i-obseyo!" (hey, that's ridiculous) throw down a baek won coin, bag my groceries and storm out, tripping over some bags of dog food in the exit. I of course looked like a crazy foreigner in the process and assuredly nobody would know why I was mad, even the rude ajumma. |
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intergalactic

Joined: 19 May 2003 Location: Brisbane
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Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2003 4:22 am Post subject: |
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Sounds like you said "No Cucumbers"!
(OK I just asked my husband, it's a different "o"  |
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shawner88

Joined: 01 Feb 2003
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Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2003 4:26 am Post subject: |
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intergalactic wrote: |
Sounds like you said "No Cucumbers"!
(OK I just asked my husband, it's a different "o"  |
Hahah, that's my point. I probably did say no cucumbers, looked angry about it and stormed off like a madman with no cucumbers. |
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Ryst Helmut

Joined: 26 Apr 2003 Location: In search of the elusive signature...
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Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2003 6:22 am Post subject: |
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shawner88 wrote: |
intergalactic wrote: |
Sounds like you said "No Cucumbers"!
(OK I just asked my husband, it's a different "o"  |
Hahah, that's my point. I probably did say no cucumbers, looked angry about it and stormed off like a madman with no cucumbers. |
No, you were (depending) correct. 오이없다 (o-i oeb da) has a negative connotation.
Ok, example: I know Shawner88 to be an articulate, kind and caring individual and always gives money to the homeless. So, when Shawner88 and I were walking down the street today, and a homeless woman asked him for 1,000won, Shawner88 replied : Feck off you miserable wench!
That, for me, would be 오이없다 (o-i eob da)...kind of like a sudden shock, or something suddenly happened that you wouldn't expect (could be ridiculous).
Shoosh,
Ryst |
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