Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ABC KID]

Foreigners in South Korea are described as 'Aliens'.
Are you happy to be described as an 'Alien'?

Yes = You like it/No stress whatsoever etc.

So-So = It's not a great discription but nothing to get too worked up about.

No = Don't like it/Consider it derogatory etc.

[ABC KID]

I know Japan also describes its foreigners as 'aliens'. I've never heard foreigners in U.K. described as anything other than foreigners/immigrants (except when people have been intentionally insulting) How about other countries for those better travelled than me?

[thatwhitegirl]

The Philippines has signs in the Embassy and other places that refer to foreigners as 'aliens'. I remember seeing that as a kid and being surprised and humored...and then feeling a little irked.

[Faunaki]

In Taiwan it's the same thing. You get an Alien Registration Card. At first it bothered me but I've been in Asia for a while now so nothing really seems to anymore.

My favorite:

Today teacher looks like raccoon eye.

Used to piss me off now it makes me laugh.

[RACETRAITOR]

I felt like an alien in my home country, so yes, I am happy here, and don't feel particularly more alienated.

[Carlyles Ghost]

The first time I was ever called 'foreigner' it felt a little strange. When I learned I would be required to obtain an "Alien" Reg. Card I laughed; the word has such a negative coloring back home. I have never been called an Alien in day to day interaction; the word is a formal policy-type language that, I think, doesn't carry the same weight here as it does at home.

[waynehead]

Yeah, it's the formal way to refer to someone who's visiting / not a native / not a permanent resident. It doesn't have any intentional negative connotations, so I wouldn't sweat it. I've heard it used in the states to refer to 'others' plenty of times.

[renzobenzo1]

no, the first time i got here i found it very offensive, then i got used to it and just joked about it with people.

[Atavistic]

It's the same in the US. It's a widely used English term. No big deal.

[RACETRAITOR]

[JustJohn]

Not the legal ones, silly. I'm pretty sure most of us are here legally.

[SuperFly]

I saw Genesis in Jacksonville back in the 80's before they broke up. Great show. They played this song too.


Got out of bed, wasn't feeling too good
With my wallet and my passport, a new pair of shoes
The sun is shining so I head for the park,
With a bottle of Tequila, and a new pack of cigarettes

I got a cousin and she got a friend,
Who thought that her aunt knew a man who could help
At his apartment I knocked on the door,
He wouldn't come out until he got paid.
Now don't tell anybody what I wanna do
If they find out you know that they'll never let me through, cos

It's no fun being an illegal alien, no
It's no fun being an illegal alien

Down at the office had to fill out the forms
A pink one, a red one, the colours you choose,
Up to the counter to see what they think
They said "it doesn't count man, it ain't written in ink".
I don't trust anybody, least not around here, cos

It's no fun being an illegal alien, I tell ya
It's no fun being an illegal alien, no no no no no
It's no fun being an illegal alien, I mean it when I tell ya that
It's no fun being an illegal alien,
An illegal alien, O.K.

Consideration for your fellow man
Would not hurt anybody, it sure fits in with my plan
Over the border, there lies the promised land
Where everything comes easy, you just hold out your hand

Keep your suspicions, I've seen that look before
But I ain't done nothing wrong now, is that such a suprise
But I've got a sister who'd be willing to oblige
She will do anything now to help me get to the outside

So don't tell anybody what I wanna do
If they find out you know that they'll never let me through, because

It's no fun being an illegal alien, I tell ya
It's no fun being an illegal alien, and it's getting me down
It's no fun being an illegal alien, no no no no no
It's no fun being an illegal alien, yeah yeah yeah

It's no fun (not much fun) being an illegal alien, I tell ya that
It's no fun being an illegal alien, I tell ya
It's no fun being an illegal alien, no no no
It's no fun (not bloody much fun) being an illegal alien,
It's no fun being an illegal alien, and that's what I am.

[caniff]

I suppose it's a pretty apt description from the locals' perspective.

[Atavistic]

dp

[Atavistic]