Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Gwangjuboy]

Obviously there are some Koreans who praise other countries but in my experience Koreans are generally reluctant to say anything positive about their experiences abroad. For example, I was recently introduced to a Korean woman who my Korean friend is dating and I asked her whether she had been abroad. She told me that she has been to many different countries including my own - the UK. I asked her what she thought about the UK and despite the fact that I barely knew her she felt comfortable enough to tell me that the food was awful, the subway was full of "dirty" people, and that London generally smelt disgusting. It certainly isn't the first time I have come across this either. Most Koreans will predictabley characterize countries in a certain way. Countless Koreans I have met have told me that South East Asia is filthy and backward or that the US is has no identifiable culture. (the most ironic of all) Upon hearing such comments I invariabley ask them if they have anything positive to say and they often respond by telling me that they do. I always wonder why they don't start off with the positive aspects of a particular country's culture or people. Just look at how Koreans deal with any criticism of their own country! The woman who I met recently was fully aware that I was from the UK yet she seemed to take delight in criticizing it. When Koreans ask me what I think about Korea I almost always tell them about the aspects of Korean culture I like. It's a shame they rarely extend the same courtesy. What does everyone else think?

(sorry about the length of the OP)

[butlerian]

Interesting. Many Koreans tell me fantastic fairytales about how wonderful my nation, the UK, is. Knowing the truth makes me quite embarrassed to hear it.

[ED209]

[mercury]

I honestly feel like she was insecure. She knows the U.K is cool, (any Korean could tell you that) but in order not to give you a big head, she focused on some of the things that were negative. Koreans love to compare ANYTHING with their own country. They are like an average looking girl who checks out all the beautiful girls and finds their flaws in order to make herself look better. They fish for compliments, brag about themselves, critic any and every other place.......... But check out how many of them are going abroad. It is a la mode for anyone nowadays to make a trip to some far off place, usually the more exotic, the more the person will be praised (as he or she posts photo after photo after photo on their little blogs that are basically used to show everyone how much of a sophisticated traveler they are).

[SPINOZA]

[safeblad]

[nomad-ish]

[SuperFly]

[jdog2050]

[stevieg4ever]

i know what you mean OP but also in London I met countless Korean people who had nice things to say about other European countries.

I had an adult private class with 9 or so over 30s. Not one of them had set foot on foreign soil before yet what was strange was that they took pleasure in telling me that 'ive been in Korea my whole life' almost like they were the ultimate patriots or something.

I think there is a big generation gap here because the young people I tend to meet all harbour ambitions of going abroad if not as a 유학 at least to travel. Many older peeps however find the idea inconceivable.

One thing I wouldnt disagree on though - Koreans cant stand it when other people say bad things about their country -in any respect- yet feel as free as a bird when it comes to criticizing other countries.

[djsmnc]

My girlfriend says good and bad things. Her brother is a complete dork who gets on my nerves and acts like the most Korean of Korean people you could ever imagine. He usually makes negative comparisons, but it seems like the concept of culture is lost on him anyway. He's nice though, and he plans to stay in the US again. I don't think he hates it, he just gets homesick.

I know one Korean girl who is enamored with the US. She loves NY and makes a point of talking all about it. I know another young lady staying in California now who likes it too, but doesn't like other things.

In fact, I would say that it's all pretty relative. I have a friend in the US of Italian descent who is really proud of his heritage but who couldn't stand his experience in Italy or other parts of Europe. I've heard plenty of other negative stuff about other countries too.

I htink you've just spoken to a handful of people who probably don't really fully understand culture and view things through a lens. I'd be curious to know how many you've met with really genuine experiences who could make valid complaints.

[whatever]

I've read the replies thus far and pretty much agree...

...but isn't the answer self-evident?

[Gwangjuboy]

[Gwangjuboy]

[Gwangjuboy]