Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Snowkr]

So here was an interesting question I got recently from an adult in my class.

I've worked in both China and Korea and I've taught Chinese and Korean students in Australia, Canada and the U.S.

The question wasn't which country is nicer, but which has the nicer people.

So, being the honest American that I am, I had to answer truthfully.
The Chinese are nicer.

Not the answer my Ss were expecting after hearing about how much I love this country.

Here is how I justified it.
Hypothetical situation:

Ss- "Which country is nicer, the U.S. or Canada?"
Me- Duh... Canada

Ss-"Who are the nicer of the two, Americans or Canadians?"
Me- Duh... Canadians

Ss-"Which place do you love more, the U.S. or Canada?"
Me- Duh... the U.S.!

I'm not sure if they really got it, but I tried...

For those of you who have experienced both, how would you respond to this question? Chinese or Koreans? Who are the "nicer ones"?

[Sody]

In all my travels in many countries, Koreans are the ONLY people I have ever met who give a damn what I think of their country and people. The ONLY ones. Whenever I am in other countries people treat me with sincere kindness, whereas in Korea I find the only reasons they want to talk to me are for English practice or to explain to me how great their country is. I remember the first conversation I ever had with an administrator at the GEPIK office was about kimchi. Without even knowing my name, he was explaining to me that kimchi was the healthiest food in the world. I have found that the majority of my conversations with Koreans are unbearable because of this superiority/inferiority complex that destroys any chance of a real relationship.

It's almost like a litmus test with Koreans. If at the beginning of a relationship you say positive things about their country and people then they will like you. If you don't, they won't even consider talking to you later. Not that they want to talk to us foreigners anyhow. But in other countries, the people don't do this "check," or test and I don't feel like I have to lie or be someone I'm not.

Whenever a Korean asks a question about who or what is better with regards to Korea - the best answer is to explain that everyone is nice and not to judge other people. That usually sets them right.

Sody

[mountainous]

Generally, Chinese are VERY nice and VERY CHEERFUL-they smile lots and are so friendly.

I have met plenty of very nice Koreans as well...

[mountainous]

It was SO REFRESHING to get to China and see everyone smiling

I like to smile myself, for no reason at all...

[I-am-me]

I agree....the chinese are generally more friendly and helpful. Sparkling China!

[livinseoul]

[Snowkr]

I actually do find Koreans to be very warm, kind and generous people... at least that has been my experience.

It's just that Chinese strike me as being even more kind, generous and warm-hearted.

My Chinese friends and students have never asked me to compare them to Koreans.

[livinseoul]

[mountainous]

[livinseoul]

[CPT]

Chinese people are only nice because they want to sell you something.

[ontheway]

[cruisemonkey]

We Canucks aren't really nice - we just haven't had our civil war yet.

P.S. I was married to a Chinese national (Taiwan)... not nice!

[warren pease]

Did you go to the Olympic torch relay? The chinese were complete a-holes. The only other really rude people i've met here have either been drunk of foreign.

[travelingfool]

I have lived in both China and Korea. Both places have their fair share of rude people. I found it a lot easier to make friends with the locals in China. They weren't ashamed to be seen in public with you like many Koreans, because there is not such a stigma. China is a lot more diverse. They have quite a few ethnic groups, though the Han are the largest. It's very rare to be refused service in China as well. China has English corners everywhere. I never saw those in Korea. The Chinese are secure enough to not have to remind you how great their country is every 5 minutes.

My vote goes for China being more friendly, though that is definitely not saying much.