Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Whirlwind]

Yeah, the Itaewon bums. That old guy is still there, I saw him muttering to himself a couple of weeks ago. I haven't seen that crazy old lady, but she is the one that always says, "Mother....hungry." And that poor guy that crawls on the ground, blasting his music. Really a sad situation. He's the only one that I've ever given money to. The other two I mentioned are just scammers. One time, my girlfriend and I failed to give her money and she uttered an expletive in Korean. According to my girlfriend, it was very bad. So, make sure that you don't give any money to her. But I'm still amazed that that old guy is still alive. I remember him walking around when I first came to Korea many years ago.

[itaewonguy]

yeah I actually answered back to him one night and he went off!! hahahha
man it was funny.. he was just cursing out America. so I started to chant USA USA USA USA!! and man he went mental! hahahahaha

[i4NI]

Is there a weird ajushi thread? If not i may as well post it.

Anyone ever seen a ajushi on a rascal with fake gucci(?) shades and a big 50 cent chain?

I saw him on the subway and wanted to take a picture, but couldn't do it without being obvious.

[mindmetoo]

There was also for a time a rather well dressed woman, not bad looking, in her late 30s, with these very big black plastic rimmed glasses, that used to beg for money. She couldn't ever remember your face and if you crossed the street and she was now on the other side of the street, she'd hit you up for cash a second time.

[Adventurer]

I don't like how that old lady seeks to grab you. She tried to grab me as I was trying to get out today. I saw the old guy you are talking about, but he didn't bother me. I remember there was a time when he didn't grunt. Does anyone remember that? I wonder if that's just an act or he somehow lost it. The old guy doesn't annoy me as much as that lady who keeps harassing people. I can understand if you are broke and want to beg, but at least be civil. I don't mind giving money to people being civil, not someone grabbing me, and if you act like 1,000 is not good enough, then you are being greedy, and that doesn't impress me. I like helping people in dire straits if they are kind about it.

[catman]

The old "grunter" never bothered me once. He was always too busy fighting with the invisible troll people. Nice to see him still around though. He is part of the Itaewan charm.

[cdninkorea]

[brento1138]

Let's see. Beggars in Itaewon... lots of them.

There's the guy who sits across from the Quiznos with that cardboard sign. These days he starts yelling stuff.. I think he really likes to drink "makoli" cuz I always see those bottles around. I think he has a buddy who sometimes sits with him, or takes his spot when he is gone.

But then there's a different guy. The old dude who seems mentally retarded, going around, grunting, and stomping his feet angrily at something. He talks to himself, and I think he tried to get my attention, but I just ignored it... I believe he's schizophrenic since I saw him angrily talking to nobody.

Then there is that crazy woman who will grab you. I just brush her off, and yeah, I don't like her one bit. Very rude and nuts.

And then there's that Thai-looking woman who gives you a huge smile, comes up to you with a kleenex box, hands you an envelope, and wants you to "donate" money. I haven't figured out if she is for real or not. But what I don't get is why she looks straight past the Koreans and only deals with foreigners. Seems a little shady. I think it's a scam, cuz when I was eating at subway one day, I noticed her mode of operation "working the people..." The thing I noticed most was how fake the smile was....

Anyways... Itaewon. Gotta love it.

[R-Seoul]

Is the foreign beggar still in itaewon?

I think he was a Canadian who initially came over as an ESL teacher he was an alcoholic, lost his job & eventually his home and took to living on the streets. He may have been deported already, used to hang around exit 3 of the subway if memory serves.

[Rob'sdad]

My mom and I met a crazy coot on the subway.

A: Americaaaaaaaaan?
B: Yes
A: George Washington, gooooooooooood.

[Draz]

[brento1138]

Damn, I hate to add more to the madness... but just today, at Noksapyeong station, a young teenage boy came up to me begging for food, and pulling my arm. He said "hungry" and in korean, he said "Jip upseyo..." Sigh...

I didn't know whether to believe him or not, so I didn't help out the guy. He didn't look too badly off...

But also, at Noksapyeong, I see a younger crazy woman, who stands on the stairs, chanting out something and always dressed in winter clothing even back in the summer.

[Adventurer]

[jcan]