Korean Job Discussion Forums

[JeannieAbroad]

Okay, I am NOT starting a bitch-fest here. Just want some pointers.....

That being said, I'm trying to find a way to adjust to all the constant stares on the street and on the subway. I listen to my ipod, read, look out the window, but I can feel the eyes on me. When I look up there is usually someone looking away quickly.

I should point out that I am half Korean, which is doubly funny. My friends back home think I look Asian, but here, well, I had to show my Korean co-teachers my parents wedding photo to prove I was half Caucasian and Asian. I guess I'm not considered gypopo here, just American (which is fine with me)

Is this a Korean/Asian thing? I mean, there are a ton of foreigners in Seoul, why should I be so mesmerizing? Do I engage them in conversation with my remedial Korean or start talking English? What?

[waynehead]

I rarely notice them anymore. I know it happens, especially in rural areas, but a lot of times I think people who complain so much about the stares have some paranoia issues.

Ok, so someone is looking at you. Things to consider:

1) If you know they're looking at you, you must be looking at them. Why are you staring at them?

2) Even if they are looking at you, it's a bit of a leap in logic to think that there's something negative behind that, or that they're staring at you b/c you look different, or something like that. People look at people...all of the time.

Again, I'm not denying that sometimes, some people stare. I've faced more than my fair share of steely eyed ajummas and gaggles of giggling children following me around the home plus shouting 'waygookin.' But my message to the stare-obsessed: get over yourselves. Believe it or not, you're not the most interesting thing most of these people have seen in their lives.

[JeannieAbroad]

[Matt_22]

if you notice someone staring at you, just lock eyes with them and stare back. that'll usually always stop them, for the time being at least.

[faster]

You really will stop noticing it pretty soon. You're new, so just let it slide off yr back.

[Julius]

I don't think the stares will ever calm down in korea.

No matter how much exposure to foreigners they have, the xenophobia will remain and that is what prompts the staring.

Other countries have had less exposure to foreigners but stare less.Because they're not culurally programmed to feel threatened by difference.

Its one of the few things here that you never really learn to cope with properly. The rest of the BS you find ways to deal with.

[atomic42]

[Freakstar]

[Milwaukiedave]

I agree, stare back at them. I had a little boy stare at me the other day as I was walking back home from work. I just stared back at him, then as I turned the corner I said hello and good bye and kept walking.

As to whether or not you are looked down at because you are mixed, some Koreans will and some won't. It just depends on the person.

[write of weigh]

when i was in Seoul i was surprised at the lack of stares i recieved. just wait until you travel outside of Seoul, that's when the real staring begins.

[Vicissitude]

[JeannieAbroad]

[CentralCali]

I found the best way to deal with stares is to just blow kisses.

[JeannieAbroad]

[jajdude]

Not much you can do. I've been in Korea a long time, in Seoul for a lot of that, location doesn't matter so much, with certain exceptions. You will get attention, some days more than others. Some days maybe you will notice it more. Sometimes I dislike being gawked it. Oh so maybe it's the weekend and I need a shave or something. Then I kind of just avoid looking at people. I'm not sure what the deal is, but it's something that never disappears. Kids meet foreign adults in schools, but I suppose to most Koreans, foreigners are just not part of their lives beyond anything superficial. Can you imagine never befriending or having a proper conversation with anyone from another country, ever? To us that is an alien concept. To many people that is the norm.