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lorenchristopher
Joined: 25 Dec 2007
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 Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2008 8:37 am Post subject: My rant: Korea expat veterans annoy me |
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Correction: MOST of them annoy me....and by most I mean about 80-90% of them.
I've been here going on a year now, and in that time I've met quite a few expats who've lived here for about 4+ years....a surprising amount actually. Generally, they seem clickish and/or pretentious. Any opinion you have of Korea is trumped by their experience and knowledge.
I've met the kind of expats who have learned Korean fluently and talk about you in Korean to their friend in front of your face, or the ridiculous Korea-philes who even dress exactly like Koreans and will rave to you about how delicious 산낙지 (live octopus) is and how it's one of their favorite meals. I mean come on.....really?
And there are those who barely even associate with other foreigners because I guess they think they've been here long enough now that they blend in. Yeah ok Mr. 외국인 (foreigner).
Let me just say that I love Korea. The food, the people, my job, the city I live in (Seoul), the country (I've traveled around Korea a lot), and again the PEOPLE. But the idea that I'm ignorant just because I haven't been here as long as you have, well it's really ef.fing dense.
I plan on staying here for many years to come, and I've already become super cozy after a year. One thing I am really weary of though to not become some holier-than-thou, jaded, or culturally spiteful veteran.
That's all. |
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Bibbitybop
Joined: 22 Feb 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2008 8:47 am Post subject: |
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Maybe you are hanging out with the wrong crowd.
I'm no veteran of 4+ years, but as a newbie I was welcomed by veterans. If not, I didn't give a shit about their opinion of me and didn't prolong any conversations.
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| Any opinion you have of Korea is trumped by their experience and knowledge. |
Maybe they are assholes. Or maybe your opinion is naive.
Good rant, though. |
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Ultimo Hombre
Joined: 13 Oct 2008
Location: BEER STORE
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| Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2008 9:06 am Post subject: |
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| Ive met some like you describe, but for the most part people have been nice to me. I been here about 2 and a half years. But, there are buttholes everywhere you go. Korea is no different. |
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Louie
Joined: 12 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2008 9:13 am Post subject: |
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| the ridiculous Korea-philes who even dress exactly like Koreans and will rave to you about how delicious 산낙지 (live octopus) is |
During the 10 years I had lived and worked in Korea, not once did I ever eat live octopus, not once!
I agree, those that stick around do tend to become acclimated culturally to how people act, think, speak and feel there (it is what Anthropologists call "Going Native"). And it could get annoying...The best advice I could give is to avoid those people (except at work, where I know its impossible to avoid them), start your own circle of friends with whom you can speak to and stuff. Also, learn the language so you can widen your circle with a few close locals.
After awhile the only time I talked to another foreigner on the street was when they came up to me and asked for directions.
I am surprised you feel 4 years is a long time to spend in a place- I always thought an expat vet was a person who had lived in a location for 8+ years..... |
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John_ESL_White
Joined: 12 Nov 2008
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| Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2008 9:20 am Post subject: |
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the fresh seafood is delicious.
Sorry if I offended you.
Seriously, you are meeting the d heads. I like the raw-octopus' friend- and other squiggling seafood, but i never belittle a newbie about it.... most Koreans don't like what I eat.
Anyway, stick it out. The di heads will go home to live in their mothers' basements. Or off their fathers' trust funds. Same thing.
Enjoy your time. Meet some koreans. |
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gangpae
Joined: 03 Sep 2007
Location: Busan
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| Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2008 9:22 am Post subject: |
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| You thought you'd be getting more sex here didn't you. Sorry. |
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John_ESL_White
Joined: 12 Nov 2008
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| Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2008 9:39 am Post subject: |
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and, after years here... you start buying Korean clothes. Even though it's not fashionable back home.... it's the only crappy clothing you can get here...
unless you are Joe-Itaewon, whose wife is blowing a GI on base who will buy pants and shirts for you in exchange for breaking in your new crappy k-mattress.
so, when you see a guy who is in his 30's wearing crap korean gear, don't hate.... it's just the way it is... |
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lorenchristopher
Joined: 25 Dec 2007
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| Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2008 9:40 am Post subject: |
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| gangpae wrote: |
| You thought you'd be getting more sex here didn't you. Sorry. |
Been in a relationship since my first week here. I get sex on the regular....don't know what that has to do with my post though.
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Bread
Joined: 09 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2008 9:53 am Post subject: |
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| Louie wrote: |
I am surprised you feel 4 years is a long time to spend in a place- I always thought an expat vet was a person who had lived in a location for 8+ years..... |
6 years is the longest I've lived anywhere in my life, so for me 4 years somewhere sure as hell makes you a veteran. |
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lorenchristopher
Joined: 25 Dec 2007
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| Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2008 9:53 am Post subject: |
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| John_ESL_White wrote: |
and, after years here... you start buying Korean clothes. Even though it's not fashionable back home.... it's the only crappy clothing you can get here...
unless you are Joe-Itaewon, whose wife is blowing a GI on base who will buy pants and shirts for you in exchange for breaking in your new crappy k-mattress.
so, when you see a guy who is in his 30's wearing crap korean gear, don't hate.... it's just the way it is... |
Wow. Where do you live/shop? I'm 6'2" and I can find nice clothing in Seoul for decent prices. A few places in Itaewon are reasonable....or Myeongdong has Gap, Zara, etc...there are plenty of Western brands here, just gotta ask a Korean friend to find out when the sales are.
Heck, I live waaaay out on line 5 and there's still a little shopping mall with a booth that sells western brands. Don't be so scared to venture outside and try to communicate with Koreans. They won't hurt you! |
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gangpae
Joined: 03 Sep 2007
Location: Busan
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| Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2008 10:07 am Post subject: |
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Headline from the Butte Chronicle:
Undertaker moves to Korea complains about the other foreigners. |
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John_ESL_White
Joined: 12 Nov 2008
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| Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2008 10:08 am Post subject: |
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| lorenchristopher wrote: |
| John_ESL_White wrote: |
and, after years here... you start buying Korean clothes. Even though it's not fashionable back home.... it's the only crappy clothing you can get here...
unless you are Joe-Itaewon, whose wife is blowing a GI on base who will buy pants and shirts for you in exchange for breaking in your new crappy k-mattress.
so, when you see a guy who is in his 30's wearing crap korean gear, don't hate.... it's just the way it is... |
Wow. Where do you live/shop? I'm 6'2" and I can find nice clothing in Seoul for decent prices. A few places in Itaewon are reasonable....or Myeongdong has Gap, Zara, etc...there are plenty of Western brands here, just gotta ask a Korean friend to find out when the sales are.
Heck, I live waaaay out on line 5 and there's still a little shopping mall with a booth that sells western brands. Don't be so scared to venture outside and try to communicate with Koreans. They won't hurt you! |
I don't live in Seoul man...
Those 6'+ sizes are ONLY available in Seoul and outside of Seoul only through special order. At least where I am... maybe Pusan is different... Anyway, I wear my ajussi clothes and am not ashamed. (-:
One day, I just gave up and decided to get what I could for the best deal I could.... sniff* sniff..... I became an ajussi.... |
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Ruraljuror
Joined: 08 Dec 2007
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| Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2008 2:51 pm Post subject: |
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Fortunately for you, this thread may not have legs...the vets don't respond much to trolling.
Two points:
1. When I was new, I was very appreciative to all the advice that vets were willing to give me. I certainly didn't complain about it. Or about the fact they liked live octopus. Didn't even occur to me.
2.
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| One thing I am really weary of though to not become some holier-than-thou, jaded, or culturally spiteful veteran. |
I think you mean "wary". One must be "wary" of using difficult words one doesn't really know. It's makes your readers weary. |
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definitely maybe
Joined: 16 Feb 2008
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| Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2008 3:04 pm Post subject: |
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| lorenchristopher wrote: |
| John_ESL_White wrote: |
and, after years here... you start buying Korean clothes. Even though it's not fashionable back home.... it's the only crappy clothing you can get here...
unless you are Joe-Itaewon, whose wife is blowing a GI on base who will buy pants and shirts for you in exchange for breaking in your new crappy k-mattress.
so, when you see a guy who is in his 30's wearing crap korean gear, don't hate.... it's just the way it is... |
Wow. Where do you live/shop? I'm 6'2" and I can find nice clothing in Seoul for decent prices. A few places in Itaewon are reasonable....or Myeongdong has Gap, Zara, etc...there are plenty of Western brands here, just gotta ask a Korean friend to find out when the sales are.
Heck, I live waaaay out on line 5 and there's still a little shopping mall with a booth that sells western brands. Don't be so scared to venture outside and try to communicate with Koreans. They won't hurt you! |
your last offering sounded a lot like what you've been complaining about. perhaps you hate what you've already become? |
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cdninkorea
Joined: 27 Jan 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2008 3:26 pm Post subject: |
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I really enjoy the rare times I meet a super Korea vet- someone who has been here a decade or more. I've only met one who was a little condescending, but even he had great stories of how Korea was when he got here.
The highlight for me was last year, when I met a New Zealander who had fought in the Korean war, and this was his first visit back in 57 years.
Furthermore, there was a thread not long ago about those who were here in '98, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. |
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