Korean Job Discussion Forums

Adventurer · Joined: 28 Jan 2006

Does anyone practice, on purpose, acts of kindness in this country? I know so many complain about this and that and say bad things about Koreans, and few people do anything anything but crap on the country.
I do complain sometimes myself to friends, but I try to be affable, kind to the people. For example, I gave the lady who sells me kiwi juice some sweet bread that comes in a package. Then, I gave her husband some later. I sometimes leave nice, kind cab drivers a tip. I do also help foreigners if I think they need help. I think it's important to have a good attitude. I think if you radiate more positivity, you make a better impression on Koreans of foreign people.

Share your acts of kindness.... My best friend who left used to give food to the homeless... I thought that was nice...

genezorm · Joined: 01 Jul 2007 Location: Mokpo

sometimes i wait for people to get off the elevator or subway before i rush in, but that's only when i am in a kind mood.....usually i just plow through everyone

Newbie · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

Every day I fight to teach my children that Korea is not the centre of the univerise, not paradise, that the idea of pure blood lines is a farce, and that other countries are good too. I also, without any success, try to teach them that laughing every time they hear the word "Africa" isn't cool.

I consider doing all of that a great service to Korean society.

bejarano-korea · Joined: 13 Dec 2006

Adventurer · Joined: 28 Jan 2006

billybrobby · Joined: 09 Dec 2004

Guri Guy · Joined: 07 Sep 2003 Location: Bamboo Island

You know Billybrobby, when you overuse sarcasm, it kind of loses it's humour rapidly. Positive threads are few and far between on these forums. So if you can't say anything remotely useful, just stay away.

I tip cab drivers too. I help people carry things up stairs at subway stations too. Sure, they are little things but little things add up. I agree with your sentiments Adventurer.

Adventurer · Joined: 28 Jan 2006

curlygirl · Joined: 26 Mar 2007 Location: Pundang, Seohyeon dong

Last night I offered my umbrella to an ajumma as I was nearly home. She turned me down because she was only going a little further up the road.

When I receive ricecakes from students or teachers I give them to the workers in my apartment complex (I'm not overly fond of ricecake anyway).

I haven't become so jaded yet that I'm not willing to let someone practice speaking Englishee to me for a few minutes while waiting for a bus.

endo · Joined: 14 Mar 2004 Location: Seoul...my home

I'm too modest to participate in this thread.

pootle · Joined: 05 May 2008

Giving for the sake of giving, and not expecting anything in return, is one of the greatest feelings. If you get into the habit of doing it every day then it will definitely make you a happier person.

I'm not going to list my random acts of kindness here, just wanted to say don't knock something you've never tried. If you've never tried it - or mock people who choose to do it - then you are a very sad, bitter and unhappy person. It's a choice, plain and simple - being nice or being a complete tosser.

aka Dave · Joined: 02 May 2008 Location: Down by the river

In my writing class I have 12 students who turn in 2 essays each class. My boss said I only have to grade 2 "model" essays and show them to the class. I graded all 24 essays. Every time.

Does that make me Ghandi. No. But it took me five fricking hours to grade these essays (I always pose 2/3 content questions at the bottom of the essay) because these students need the corrections, and they need to learn critical thinking (can you say "mad cow"?)

This is my "kindness" to Koreans, such as it is. Also, I re-rack my weights, but that's another story!

bluelake · Joined: 01 Dec 2005

This is a good thread; I hope it stays that way.

Be aware that some "acts of kindness", as they would be thought of in the West, may be considered common sense politeness to many Koreans. For instance, at our hanok, whenever we have a party or picnic, we take plates of food to the houses surrounding us. The neighbors can hear us having a good time and can certainly smell the barbecues, etc. You might be surprised how far such a small consideration can go. Also, related to this, if someone gives you food on a plate, you should not only wash the plate before giving it back, but also send it back with something; sending back an empty plate would be somewhat rude.

Some very simple acts of kindness can also go a long way, such as thanking someone--in Korean--for something they have done for you. This could be from the cashier at the local p'yeoneuijeom to someone who has done a really big favor for you.

peppermint · Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 8:46 am Post subject:

Not quite a random act of kindness, but I try to make a habit of complimenting random people on stuff. Telling shopgirls I like their nails, or the guy in the elevator that he's wearing a great shirt- that sort of thing. It takes so little to make someone smile, and it sort of makes me feel good too.

Bryan · Joined: 29 Oct 2007