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Complaining about Korea to a Korean spouse
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Hanson



Joined: 20 Oct 2004

PostPosted: Sun Mar 23, 2008 6:04 pm    Post subject: Complaining about Korea to a Korean spouse Reply with quote

I do this way too much. It's something I have to stop doing because it really does create a wedge and it hurts my wife's feelings.

My wife understands my frustrations and usually tolerates my comments, but I know my comments touch her in a negative way.

While driving, I'll make a comment about Korean drivers. While shopping, I'll point out the cutting in line or the shouting meat-seller or the clueless cart-rammer/blocker of aisles. Around town, I'll point out the farmers-in-suits staring at me and my family, giggling, pointing and mesmerized-looking. While crossing the street with my family, I'll make an angry statement about the dangers of simply walking around with my family.

The reason I do this, I guess, is I want vindication and support for my peeves. My wife is my best friend, my leaning post, my sounding board and my confidante (sp). However, my needs are also bringing about a negative vibe and causes our relationship to suffer.

The other day, while driving, I said "Fukcing Koreans and their driving!!!" etcetera, etcetera, and my wife lashed back with "Fukcing Canadians and their intolerance!!!" You gotta love her for that.
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laogaiguk



Joined: 06 Dec 2005
Location: somewhere in Korea

PostPosted: Sun Mar 23, 2008 6:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

It depends on how much, but back home I am always saying "Bloody French and their shitty driving" or "Stupid Canadian taxes" etc etc. I actually cuss Canadians (my home) more than I do Koreans. I know emotionally it's different when it's your home you are cussing compared to someone else's (for example your wife), but it's pretty normal. I am sure she would do the same thing back in your country Smile

Though, there is still a line between just cussing stupidity and being racist. I do assume from your posts though it's not the racist one.
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eamo



Joined: 08 Mar 2003
Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.

PostPosted: Sun Mar 23, 2008 6:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yeah. It's a tricky one.

She's your wife and you want to tell her how you feel about stuff. Yet, you can't just hammer her countrymen all the time. Even if your ire is justified.

I try to vent to my wife in a humorous way so she can share my amusement at the wacked out things Koreans do.
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pocariboy73



Joined: 23 Jan 2003

PostPosted: Sun Mar 23, 2008 6:10 pm    Post subject: Re: Complaining about Korea to a Korean spouse Reply with quote

I hear ya. I have the same problem...

Hanson wrote:
I do this way too much. It's something I have to stop doing because it really does create a wedge and it hurts my wife's feelings.

My wife understands my frustrations and usually tolerates my comments, but I know my comments touch her in a negative way.

While driving, I'll make a comment about Korean drivers. While shopping, I'll point out the cutting in line or the shouting meat-seller or the clueless cart-rammer/blocker of aisles. Around town, I'll point out the farmers-in-suits staring at me and my family, giggling, pointing and mesmerized-looking. While crossing the street with my family, I'll make an angry statement about the dangers of simply walking around with my family.

The reason I do this, I guess, is I want vindication and support for my peeves. My wife is my best friend, my leaning post, my sounding board and my confidante (sp). However, my needs are also bringing about a negative vibe and causes our relationship to suffer.

The other day, while driving, I said "Fukcing Koreans and their driving!!!" etcetera, etcetera, and my wife lashed back with "Fukcing Canadians and their intolerance!!!" You gotta love her for that.
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caniff



Joined: 03 Feb 2004
Location: All over the map

PostPosted: Sun Mar 23, 2008 6:20 pm    Post subject: Re: Complaining about Korea to a Korean spouse Reply with quote

Hanson wrote:
I do this way too much. It's something I have to stop doing because it really does create a wedge and it hurts my wife's feelings.

My wife understands my frustrations and usually tolerates my comments, but I know my comments touch her in a negative way.

While driving, I'll make a comment about Korean drivers. While shopping, I'll point out the cutting in line or the shouting meat-seller or the clueless cart-rammer/blocker of aisles. Around town, I'll point out the farmers-in-suits staring at me and my family, giggling, pointing and mesmerized-looking. While crossing the street with my family, I'll make an angry statement about the dangers of simply walking around with my family.

The reason I do this, I guess, is I want vindication and support for my peeves. My wife is my best friend, my leaning post, my sounding board and my confidante (sp). However, my needs are also bringing about a negative vibe and causes our relationship to suffer.

The other day, while driving, I said "Fukcing Koreans and their driving!!!" etcetera, etcetera, and my wife lashed back with "Fukcing Canadians and their intolerance!!!" You gotta love her for that.


I do it too. I try to catch myself, but I have a big mouth sometimes.

My wife agrees that Korea is very far from perfect, and I rank on my own country (America) probably just as much (if not more), but these days whenever I criticize Korea in any small way it seems to have an effect on her that I didn't intend. Nationalism is rearing it's head.

I don't make a hobby out of putting people or countries down, but sometimes you get pissed and you make a comment or three.

(sigh)
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crusher_of_heads



Joined: 23 Feb 2007
Location: kimbop and kimchi for kimberly!!!!

PostPosted: Sun Mar 23, 2008 6:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Korea is perfect society
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inkoreaforgood



Joined: 15 Dec 2003
Location: Inchon

PostPosted: Sun Mar 23, 2008 6:37 pm    Post subject: Re: Complaining about Korea to a Korean spouse Reply with quote

Hanson wrote:
I do this way too much. It's something I have to stop doing because it really does create a wedge and it hurts my wife's feelings.

My wife understands my frustrations and usually tolerates my comments, but I know my comments touch her in a negative way.

While driving, I'll make a comment about Korean drivers. While shopping, I'll point out the cutting in line or the shouting meat-seller or the clueless cart-rammer/blocker of aisles. Around town, I'll point out the farmers-in-suits staring at me and my family, giggling, pointing and mesmerized-looking. While crossing the street with my family, I'll make an angry statement about the dangers of simply walking around with my family.

The reason I do this, I guess, is I want vindication and support for my peeves. My wife is my best friend, my leaning post, my sounding board and my confidante (sp). However, my needs are also bringing about a negative vibe and causes our relationship to suffer.

The other day, while driving, I said "Fukcing Koreans and their driving!!!" etcetera, etcetera, and my wife lashed back with "Fukcing Canadians and their intolerance!!!" You gotta love her for that.


Same for me, except I don't drive Exclamation

Really, just try to remove the 'Korean' part of your statements. Saying things like 'that bloody idiot cut me off' are more accurate and less Korea-hater sounding. Not every Korean is a shitty driver (I've got proof), and say something to those fools who cut in line, even if it is in (polite but firm) English (with a bit of improv sign lagnauge) they'll get the hint. Take a bit of action, instead of cussing internally, and it will go a ways towards making you feel better about things.
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mrsquirrel



Joined: 13 Dec 2006

PostPosted: Sun Mar 23, 2008 6:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

What they are here for.

I am pretty sure if it was back in the west we would have been divorced ten times over by now.

I know that there is now way any woman other than my missus would put up with my rants.
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tzechuk



Joined: 20 Dec 2004

PostPosted: Sun Mar 23, 2008 6:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I do it all the time!!! Lucky for me, my husband spent a lot of his youth in France and Germany and completely understands where I am coming from.. so he handles my complaints quite well... but I think it still pisses him off.
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Hank the Iconoclast



Joined: 08 Oct 2007
Location: Busan

PostPosted: Sun Mar 23, 2008 6:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have been in the exact same situation. I usually start cursing about the banks everytime I go in one with her. I try to control myself and I feel guilty for going on a tirade. She is definitely understanding though, so I have to give her credit.
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CentralCali



Joined: 17 May 2007

PostPosted: Sun Mar 23, 2008 6:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Try singling out the target of your frustration. Instead of complaining to her about Korean drivers, complain to her about that particular driver who ran a red light, drove on the sidewalk, etc. After all, if she's a driver, then she's also a Korean driver. That means that you attacked her personally even if you didn't mean it that way.

And, as inkoreaforgood posted, not all Korean drivers here are bad. Actually, I'd think that if the bad drivers were the majority, then the accident rate, high as it is now, would be even higher.
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