Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Privateer]

So the thread about Koreans speaking English to you is still going strong and that got me thinking...when was the last time a Korean outside of work spoke to me in English?

It was a pretty long time ago.

These days most Koreans - in shops, banks, cinemas, taxis, etc - address me in Korean and expect me to understand. Fortunately, I do (not that I can make much of a conversation with them but still). So do a lot of foreigners here.

So is it just me or has there been a change in Korean attitudes? It seems to me there are so many foreigners here nowadays - many of them studying Korean, many of them here for several years - that Koreans have got used to it, and they no longer feel under pressure to speak English to foreigners. People used to sweat, and stammer, and run away at the thought that there was a foreigner and they might have to speak English!

What's everyone else's impression?

[SuperHero]

almost always in Korean.

cue tomato and a self pity rant.

[Young FRANKenstein]

[definitely maybe]

i can't remember the last time a random local spoke english to me.

[Hanson]

It's unanimous, until the-vegetable-id-who-should-not-be-named appears...

[tomato]

[tomato]

"The emergency executive meeting of the Miriam Ferguson Society will now come to order. We thank all of you for coming out on such a short notice. I believe that the Chairman of the Espionage Committee would like to report on a disturbing incident?"

The Chairman responded, "That's right, Mister President. As all of you know, our membership has been declining recently. We have tried to keep this under wraps, but it looks like some foreigners have noticed that our influence has been declining as a result." The Chairman held up a computer print-out. "Here is a discussion thread on the subject. It was started on Sunday, March the second by a foreign teacher writing under the name of Privateer. In his opening message, he writes, "When was the last time a Korean outside of work spoke to me in English? It was a pretty long time ago.'"

There was general unrest in the room. Without raising his hand, another member shouted, "Well, we're not defeated! Not yet!" Other members looked at him unfavorably, and he resumed his composure.

The Espionage Chairman said, "That's right. We're not defeated yet, but it looks like we're headed that way if we don't get our act together real quick. Another contributor to the thread wrote, "I can't remember the last time a random local spoke English to me," and he indicated that he lives in 성북.�

This brought a chorus of shudders and gasps. "성북? That's in 서울!� �And 서울 is our greatest stronghold!"

The 서울 team leader raised her hand and was recognized by the President. "I've been meaning to tell you this." She looked down for a moment. "But it's been too embarrassing. We have been receiving an increasing number of reports of foreigners buying merchandise, making subway trips, and going to the bathroom without any assistance."

The President said, "I'm very sorry to hear that. Do any of you suggest any remedy to this unfortunate trend? I believe that Public Relations Chairman has something which he would like to share."

The Public Relations Chairman stood up. "That's right, Mister President. Here is something interesting which one of our committee members brought in. It seems that there is a religious bigot in the United States who has artistic skills. And he has been quite successful in getting his opinions across through the use of the argumentum ad baculum."

The President smiled. "I don't think most of us are well trained in Latin. Could you explain further?"

The Chairman said, "Certainly. Here is an illustrated story about Catholics going to hell, another one about Mormons going to hell, another one about Evolutionists going to hell, another one about homosexuals going to hell, another one about . . ."

The President chuckled. "Okay, okay, OKAY! We get the point! Are you suggesting that we use this literature as a model?"

The Chairman nodded. "That's basically it. There's just one problem, though. Korea is not as religious as the United States, and besides, the Miriam Ferguson Society is not a religious society. Instead, it is a . . ." The Chairman paused, holding up one finger.

"A patriotic society!" chimed one member.

"Absolutely! So instead, we will not use threats of the hereafter as our baculum, but threats to our national security."

The President nodded. "Could you explain further?"

"Certainly. But before I do, I would like to ask the rest of you what sort of reaction you get when you tell people you belong to the Miriam Ferguson Society."

One member said in a snarling voice, "'Oh, so you belong to that hate group!'"

Another member spoke, this time in a fiegned frightened voice, "'Uh-oh, I'd better tell our apartment security. We had one move in the other day.'"

Other members repeated comments which they had heard. "'How about Jews and Blacks? Do you hate them, too?'" "'My cousin is a Methodist. Will you still sit next to me?'"

The Chairman held up a hand in restraint. "Exactly my point! People think we're a hate group. They think we hate ALL foreigners. That is a misconception which we have to correct. And that is exactly what our Committee is concerned about. Let me read you the text for a flier which our committee wou이 like to send out:

"'Since 보신탕 is produced for restaurants in our country, we the Korean people have developed a need for another pet. For this reason, we have imported foreign English teachers. Most of these foreign teachers have recognized and accepted their place in our society. They have smiled sweetly at our can-I-help-you's, they have answered cheerfully to our do-you-like-kimchi's, and they have turned cartwheels when we applauded and giggled at them. They have graced our English schools and our TV tubes with their blond hair and blue eyes. These foreign teachers have not been the concern of the Miriam Ferguson Society.

"'Rather, the Society has been concerned about a small but dangerous core of foreign teachers who could not or would not accept their place in society. Rather than hanging out at Western bars and going on trips to 제주도, these invaders have been assaulting our Web sites, attacking our bookstores, and razing our libraries.

"'Do you want this to continue? If this is what you want, then by all means, keep right on speaking Korean to these filthy beasts. When they have totally destroyed our hermetic way of life, don't say we didn't warn you. If this is NOT what you want, then call the Miriam Ferguson Society, 555-1212 and ask what you can do to help. Don't delay, call today.'"

There was an ovation from the executive members.

"Just one more thing before I sit down. I believe that the Graphic Arts Committee has done some work on this."

The Graphic Arts Chairman said enthusiastically, "That's right! We have a paste-up job which is ready to roll!" The Graphic Arts Chairman held up a paste-up job.

When the soft chorus of ooh's and ah�s subsided, one member said, "I move that we submit this flier to the print shop."

"I second the motion."

"It has been moved and seconded that we submit this flier to the print shop. All in favor, say aye. All opposed, say nay. The motion is carried.

"Is there any further new business? If not, then the meeting is adjourned."

[PeteJB]

Just about everyone uses Korean to me in Shops, Banks, Restaurants, Department Stores.. It actually makes me believe they are mistaking me for a Korean as it's almost unbelievable that I'm getting equal treatment. It's the general idiots amongst the public (streets, subway, wherever) who use English for comedy purposes.

[nicholas_chiasson]

Half the time they think I'm a lost sailor, and so use international english (you want girl cheap?).

[SuperHero]

[bovinerebel]

Yup , almost always Korean . Really appreciate it when they try and accomodate me in English .

Do you find the same thing Tomato ?

[tomato]

[whatever]

Gee, I didn't see anybody mocking anything...

Must have some of that hallucinogenic soju. Do send me a bottle, eh?

[SuperHero]

[tomato]

Hello, Superhero!

Thank you for the reference.
I made the job easier by compiling a complete list of my posts on this and similar topics.

How am I beating a dead horse?
If Privateer's observation is correct, our side is gaining.

Hello, Whatever!

I compiled a list in case you wanted to follow Superhero's reference,
but then I noticed your name on one of those threads.

Then I figured, "Ho hum, I started it, so I may as well finish it."
I realize I am being egotistical by compiling a list of my own posts,
but I hope everyone will bear with me.

For Learners of Korean, p. 1
Do you feel offended when Koreans speak English to you? pp. 3-7
Foreigners who refuse to learn Korean, pp. 3, 5-6, 8-10, 14, 16-17
How do you feel about Koreans speaking to you in English? pp. 1-9
Korea has got to be the most . . ., pp. 2, 6-7
Does your school make you pretend you don't know Korean? pp. 1-6
the BEING BOTHERED in KYOBO BOOKSTORE Thread, pp. 4-15
Why do foreigners have so much trouble learning Korean? pp. 2-4
Dave's short story contest! p. 1
Curious lad at Emart, pp. 1-4
How many of you study and speak Korean? pp. 7, 9, 11
How to learn Korean, p. 1-6