Korean Job Discussion Forums

[asams]

Disclaimer: This topic is about Koreans' stereotypes of foreigners. If you don't want to here a story about how I faced these at work today then stop reading.

The first stereotype is the spicy food deal. I help out some of the Korean teachers by having conversation classes with them twice a week. Basically they read a news report or something in English and summarize it, then we discuss it. Today, one of the teachers bought in a story about ddokboggie. She asked if I thought ddokboggie could be globalized and that she thought it might be too spicy to be globalized. I said it isn't that spicy and I could see it easily being a popular street vendor food in America. She then said one would need to add cheese in order to make it less spicy then maybe it could be eaten in America.

The next was just complete BS.

The other two foreign teachers and I want to get an apartment somewhere closer to the center of Seoul and so we approached someone today about it. We had a meeting and here's a little bit of the conversation.

Korean: So you want to move to Itaewon or Hongdae?
Us: Yes.
Korean: Why do you want to move there? Because you want to be near foreign things? But you are in Korea, do you not want to do Korean things?
Me: I eat at Kimbap Chongguk everyday, but somedays I would like to have a hamburger or have a little piece of home. Have you ever lived abroad?
Korean: Yes, I lived in America.
Me: When you were in America did you not want to eat Korean food sometimes or hang out with Korean people?
Korean: Yes.
Me: Well it's exactly the same deal.

......(Later)

Korean: So you want to move to Itaewon or Hongdae because you want to go out at night?
Me: There's nothing to do here, there's two restaurants, and there's no gym or track or basketball court. It's not because I want to go out at night, it's because this location isn't that great.
Korean: Well, I'm just worried that you will start doing drugs and bad things.
Me: [wanting to punch the guy in the face and/or verbally chastise him for his naivete and ignorance]


The first part was more funny, but the second part is plan and simple racism. I told him that was offensive. I should've asked him how he would feel if he came to America and was refused a driver's license because someone was afraid he would put others in harm's way. [I don't openly hold this stereotype, so before I get bombarded with hypocrit chants I'm simply throwing out a stereotype that I know is prevalent in America; to me, if you're a bad driver you're a bad driver, doesn't matter what skin color you are]

[Goku]

He's not trying to insult you here thinking that all white people do drugs.

I think he's trying to warn you about Itaewon.

Personally, it's fine for an occasional meal here and there, but I find myself straying from my morals if I spend more than 5 hours there...

Of course, not everyone, but more often than not I find people there to be morally defunct to hell. It's well known to the Koreans to be a cesspool too.

Seriously, It's not bad if you hang with the right crowd, but yes I have seen the shady part of Itaewon and drugs and bad things is an understatement.

[Draz]

[michaelambling]

Any Korean who has a low opinion of Itaewon is not worth my time. Sorry, but it's pure racism.

Yes, Itaewon is dirty and parts are seedy and there are some dangerous characters--but this is true of EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD IN KOREA. I've seen much filthier areas with more brothels and ne'er-do-wells in Mokpo, but since they're all Korean, I guess that makes it okay.

[Robot_Teacher]

OP, It's none of anyone's business why you want to move to the international district of Itaewon. All this strange prying questioning and scrutiny smells of communist people. He's not worried you're going there to get into drugs, he's outright disrespecting you and being offensive. Move on and talk to someone else about apartments. I noticed I get common sense warnings and questions about many things I already know, but not told any thing I really need to know.

Some people are too nosy with many dumb questions and retarded comments. I got in a cab a few weeks ago, said, "Emart uh Kajusayo," and the driver asks in English, "Why do you want to go to Emart?" Me, "To shop." He asks, "You can use Korean goods?" "Sure, I need provisions the same as Korean shoppers do." I'm thinking. Since when does a taxi driver question why you want to go to your destination, especially when it's obvious what one does at said requested destination? LOL

And then I couldn't help, but notice how so many people are studying what's in my cart as I shop. Funny. LOL. I don't care what they think about a few bottles of beer and my food choices.

[ryoga013]

us: Are you really concerned about us or are you more concerned that we'll see you and the other kteachers getting whores and beating your girlfriends in public over there???
him:

[drunkenfud]

I like dokkbokki, but I think the idea of coating it with (good) cheese is promising. Not to kill the spiciness, just to enhance the taste. It would also be excellent (minus cheese) in a Bhuna style sauce.

As for Itaewon... Your co-worker is worried you'll discover his mother works on Hooker Hill.

[asams]

There were other things that were said that made me realize he was being naive and that he wasn't just trying to warn us.

I know there are bad things about Itaewon, but I've never touched an illegal drug and have no desire to do so. And the day that I pay for sex would be my last day on earth - it's just not something I would ever do.

The whole point is we want to move because we're all big city type people and want to be in the middle of everything. We all really like that area (Myeong-dong, Euljiro, Itaewon, Namsan) and there's plenty to do. There's also places in Hongdae we've looked which would suit us fine also, since there are younger people there and it's near Yonsei where I go to play basketball.

It's not really to be around foreign people, it's because we want to live together and want to be able to have easy access to more stuff.

[PeterDragon]

[Ukon]

To be fair, Itaewon is a sink hole....if it wasn't for the nice restaurants, western goods, and sleezy clubs, I'd never go there...and this is after the area has gentrified!

[LonelyAssasin]

wat a stupid post

and btw you from notrh carolina? lol that's a sheety place
never met a guy from north carolina i liked including my roomate who is a retarded red neck

[CA-NA-DA-ABC]

[John_ESL_White]

[whatever]

[sigmundsmith]

RE: the comment about the idea that you will beging taking drugs. Tell, yes you have heard that there are many Koreans in Seoul who use and sell drugs but you are not the type of person to talk with Koreans like that. You prefer to go where non-Koreans only drink, play pool etc.

Re: why you want to move to the big smoke? Say that this small place (where you are at the moment) has too many barber pole places. And the idea of such wide spread prostitution really goes against your morals.

RE: the spicy food. I get this question all the time (like all of us). I tell them that there are countries in SE Asia and S Asia with way more spicier food than Korea. For me personally, Korean food is quite tame. You can say that the country you are from has so much foreign food - such as Korean foreign food - that you (and your fellow citizens) are used to it.

Again, this person is just ignorant about anything non-Korean and what they read and hear on the news must be gospel.

When you talk to them I suggest don't be defensive or upset but be a little smartarse but in a polite way. That is, there are stereo types of Koreans (which is actually quite widespread really) about soju drinking, adulterers, barber pole visiting people. If you can put those into the conversation and say that you need a break away from such decadent behavior where life seems a little normal that might help put him in his place.