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"I think you'll start using drugs..."
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michaelambling

Joined: 31 Dec 2008
Location: Paradise

Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2009 5:19 pm Post subject:

Straphanger wrote:

michaelambling wrote:

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

You're right, that's pure racism. Saying that Koreans are not allowed to bag on Shitaewon is pure racism. If Korea is Tattoine, Seoul is Mos Eisley, and Itaewon is the Cantina. Itaewon is terrible.

Itaewon has a bunch of army boys, tailors, souvenir shops, foreign restaurants, and black people. Other than that, it's like any other neighborhood in Korea. It has prostitution--just like anywhere else. It has seedy bars and nightclubs--just like anywhere else. It has dirty side streets--just like anywhere else.

I don't get the obsession with Itaewon--it's downright tame compared to most parts of London, mid-Wilshire L.A., the Bronx, south side Chicago, or any part of Las Vegas. Please, reply to my other thread: http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?p=2006070#2006070.

nosmallplans

Joined: 10 Oct 2008
Location: noksapyeong

Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2009 5:22 pm Post subject:

michaelambling wrote:

Straphanger wrote:

michaelambling wrote:

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

You're right, that's pure racism. Saying that Koreans are not allowed to bag on Shitaewon is pure racism. If Korea is Tattoine, Seoul is Mos Eisley, and Itaewon is the Cantina. Itaewon is terrible.

Is there something wrong with the south side of Chicago?

Perhaps there's too many colored folks for your level of comfort?

Straphanger

Joined: 09 Oct 2008
Location: Chilgok, Korea

Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2009 5:24 pm Post subject:

michaelambling wrote:

Straphanger wrote:

michaelambling wrote:

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

You're right, that's pure racism. Saying that Koreans are not allowed to bag on Shitaewon is pure racism. If Korea is Tattoine, Seoul is Mos Eisley, and Itaewon is the Cantina. Itaewon is terrible.

So why are Koreans racist if they bag on the place?

asams

Joined: 17 Nov 2008

Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2009 5:25 pm Post subject:

MollyBloom wrote:

whatever wrote:

By the way, GO TAR HEELS! The national championship is 'ours' to lose...

]

When I was in high school I played with the UNC women's soccer team in a match against the USA women's national team. I didn't go to college there, but I hold UNC Chapel Hill close to my heart.

I'm a fan of any fan of Chapel Hill

samcheokguy

Joined: 02 Nov 2008
Location: Samcheok G-do

Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2009 5:29 pm Post subject:

I'm so bored today I think I might start using drugs.

ESL Milk "Everyday

Joined: 12 Sep 2007

Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2009 5:32 pm Post subject:

I am completely for more Koreans doing soft drugs, or at least marijuana, on a regular basis. It would definitely take the edge off. "More kimchi?" "No thanks." "Hey, what's up with that? Don't dig the spices?" "Nah... just not in the mood, dude." "Hey... that's cool, man. You just chill."

michaelambling

Joined: 31 Dec 2008
Location: Paradise

Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2009 5:32 pm Post subject:

Straphanger wrote:

michaelambling wrote:

Straphanger wrote:

michaelambling wrote:

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

You're right, that's pure racism. Saying that Koreans are not allowed to bag on Shitaewon is pure racism. If Korea is Tattoine, Seoul is Mos Eisley, and Itaewon is the Cantina. Itaewon is terrible.

So why are Koreans racist if they bag on the place?

Because Itaewon has more white and, to the point, black people than any other part of the country. This is why I like it--it's diverse. Reminds me of London or NYC.

And, to answer the question about south side Chicago--no, the black people there don't bother me one bit, and I love south-side Chicago for its history (blues and jazz, of course). But its violent crime rate is exponentially greater than Itaewon's.

nosmallplans

Joined: 10 Oct 2008
Location: noksapyeong

Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2009 5:35 pm Post subject:

michaelambling wrote:

Straphanger wrote:

michaelambling wrote:

Straphanger wrote:

michaelambling wrote:

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

You're right, that's pure racism. Saying that Koreans are not allowed to bag on Shitaewon is pure racism. If Korea is Tattoine, Seoul is Mos Eisley, and Itaewon is the Cantina. Itaewon is terrible.

So why are Koreans racist if they bag on the place?

Most cities in the United States have a higher crime rate than Itaewon.

Besides, it's not the South Side that you need to be worried about, it's the near West side.

Straphanger

Joined: 09 Oct 2008
Location: Chilgok, Korea

Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2009 5:40 pm Post subject:

michaelambling wrote:

Straphanger wrote:

So why are Koreans racist if they bag on the place?

Because Itaewon has more white and, to the point, black people than any other part of the country. This is why I like it--it's diverse. Reminds me of London or NYC.

Itaewon smells like pee and car exhaust, it's seedy as hell, the foreigners are rude, and the bars are expensive. Itaewon is a scumbag hole in the Earth. So what, am I racist now?

Captain Corea

Joined: 28 Feb 2005
Location: Seoul

Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2009 5:49 pm Post subject:

michaelambling wrote:

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.

I've met many foreigners who have low opinions of Itaewon... are they racist as well??

Straphanger

Joined: 09 Oct 2008
Location: Chilgok, Korea

Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2009 6:08 pm Post subject:

Captain Corea wrote:

I've met many foreigners who have low opinions of Itaewon... are they racist as well??

Reporting from the Department of Redundancy Department: This is Captain Corea.

PeterDragon

Joined: 15 Feb 2007

Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 2:17 am Post subject:

Straphanger wrote:

Seoul smells like pee and car exhaust, it's seedy as hell, the foreigners are rude, and the bars are expensive. Seoul is a scumbag hole in the Earth. So what, am I racist now?

I fixed that for you.

Joking aside, Itaewon is-- in my perception at least--- urban lite. All the culture and diversity of an actual big city, but with little real "street cred" underneath. It reminds me a lot of Uptown Minneapolis. I always enjoyed Uptown, so enjoying Itaewon isn't much of a stretch for me.

As for the racism of Koreans who hate Itaewon--- whenevee a Korean tells me this, I ask them if they've gone there and had bad experiences. In all but one instance in the last two years, the answer has been: "I'd NEVER go to Itaewon! It's too dangerous." "It just has too many foreigners!" or (my favorite) "It's wrong for that many foreigners to be in Korea." A number of the people who've told me this are people I otherwise like. But I can't help but think they're provincial jackasses when they talk like that.

One guy told me he goes to Itaewon from time to time with foreign friends, but can't comfortably keep up with the normal-paced conversation of native speakers, doesn't really like the party atmosphere and finds that some of the patrons of the expat bars are needlessly rude to him. He's not provincial, racist, or a jackass. He's a critical thinker. Pity there aren't more like him, in or outside of Itaewon.

Ukon

Joined: 29 Jan 2008

Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 3:41 am Post subject:

PeterDragon wrote:

Straphanger wrote:

Seoul smells like pee and car exhaust, it's seedy as hell, the foreigners are rude, and the bars are expensive. Seoul is a scumbag hole in the Earth. So what, am I racist now?

As for the racism of Koreans who hate Itaewon--- whenevee a Korean tells me this, I ask them if they've gone there and had bad experiences. In all but one instance in the last two years, the answer has been: "I'd NEVER go to Itaewon! It's too dangerous." "It just has too many foreigners!" or (my favorite) "It's wrong for that many foreigners to be in Korea." A number of the people who've told me this are people I otherwise like. But I can't help but think they're provincial jackasses when they talk like that.

Too be fair, itaewon was the real deal back in the day from what others have told me....if you thought it was sleazy now, imagine it before the area got gentrified with cute french cafe's and Outback steakhouse, more soldiers, less teachers, etc.

A reputation like that doesn't go away too easily.

Straphanger

Joined: 09 Oct 2008
Location: Chilgok, Korea

Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 4:45 am Post subject:

PeterDragon wrote:

It reminds me a lot of Uptown Minneapolis. I always enjoyed Uptown, so enjoying Itaewon isn't much of a stretch for me.

Uptown rules, but I figure St. Paul downtown on its worst day is better than Uptown on its best. But you need to remember, we're talking about MSP here... If my *beep* didn't freeze into solid chunks of ice in the winter, I'd still be there instead of jumping ship and coming here.

michaelambling

Joined: 31 Dec 2008
Location: Paradise

Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 5:10 am Post subject:

Straphanger wrote:

PeterDragon wrote:

It reminds me a lot of Uptown Minneapolis. I always enjoyed Uptown, so enjoying Itaewon isn't much of a stretch for me.

What is it about Minneapolis? Everyone I know who has ever lived there says it is the greatest city on Earth.

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