Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Bingo]

There is something extremely annoying about the way Korean people sneeze. Regardless of where they are they maximize their sneeze. It doesn't matter if they are on a packed subway car, a packed bus, or an elevator. Got an urge to sneeze? Let it rip! And the sound they make when they sneeze is just horrid.

Farmers will be farmers I suppose.

[Pooty]

I don't care about the way they sneeze, and how loud they sneeze, as long as they would cover their mouths when they sneeze.

[Straphanger]

I've done that all my life just to be a dick. Like.. "SNEEZE!!! AAAAaaawww jesus!!! Anyone got a tissue!!!" Imagine that coming over the cube wall when you're on your second Bavarian Creme.

[xCustomx]

[afsjesse]

I've done my fair share of Korea bashing... but this board really needs to get a life. Complaining about how they sneeze!?!?!?!!!! Are you people really hearing yourselves?

Seriously

[philipjames]

The way Koreans sneeze drives me nuts too. First of all, people should never sneeze if they are in a 'shared enclosed space' such as a subway car or bus. It's just plain rude. There are ways to prevent a sneeze (such as pinching your nose). In cold and flu season it is the height of rudeness to forcefully exhale your germs all over the subway car. But that's what Koreans do and they see nothing wrong with it.

[philipjames]

And the way they turn their head to the side to sneeze...without so much as glancing to see if anyone is passing them on that side. I was going up the escalator at e-mart a couple of weeks ago. Just as I was about to pass this woman on the left side she turns her head and releases a forceful wet sneeze. If I had been one step ahead I would have caught it full force. On other occasions I've been unlucky enough to walk right into an indiscriminately directed sneeze.

And don't get me started about the kitchen staff at restaurants sneeezing all over the food they're preparing. Charming.

[Pooty]

[Straphanger]

[Illysook]

I hate how no one here can be bothered to say "bless you" when someone sneezes...and that includes westerners.

[Straphanger]

[Illysook]

I hate how no one here can be bothered to say "bless you" when someone sneezes...and that includes westerners.

[Bingo]

Koreans also cough the way they sneeze - completely without regard for others. I'm constantly horrified to see my Korean colleagues coughing over the lunch pots as they are placing food on their trays. I'll have some of this rice (cough, hack, cough), some of the fish (hack, cough...) Totally grosses me out. Now I dash down after fourth period to be first in line.

[Illysook]

It goes back to an old superstition about the soul leaving the body when the person sneezes. It is still a polite tradition though, because when you have a cold or the flu, you are pretty miserable and it is nice to hear that someone cares.

[sojourner1]

I'm OK with no one saying, "bless you," when I sneeze. That alwasy got on my nerves anyhow, because it makes no sense and is just a way to draw unwanted attention. Really, out in the world people don't act so silly about a sneeze like the Americans do. You just can't expect American customs in another country and definitely not in an Asian country.

The Americans also easily get offended by a bit of flatulence. I don't know about Koreans though since I haven't ever seen a Korean rip thier pants. Farting is sometimes involuntary and if it's an accident and American dudes are around they'll say something in an offensive tone of voice like, "What ever dude! uggggh god man, you crapped your pants, aaah sick man, I'm gettin away from you," but cool people just joke about it. Koreans don't respond to these sorts of small bodily functions.