Korean Job Discussion Forums

[eIn07912]

As an observer of this country for a number of years now, I can't help but notice the changes taking place.

While there was "foreigner hate" and "Korea bashing" on the inter-webs, I see, from my own perspective, that it's becoming much more prevalent. Both sides, foreign and domestic, seem to be finding more and more things they dislike about the other. Sharing this distain publicaly seems to becoming more and more common.

The newspapers have always been a bit biased, and I guess that should be expected, but there have been a higher than average amount of "things are messed up right now, because we have too many foreigners in Korea." Of course, that was a blanket generalization, but others on this site and similar sites have posted these articles in full. Leaving them to be disected and debated for days or weeks at a time.

Need I mention the extreme xenophobia about foreigners that has been spreading like a virus? "Foreigners have AIDS", "foreigners have Swine Flu", "foreigners only want our women", "foreigners are molesting our kids." The list could go on and on. And, while certainly there are a small number of foreigners that have done or are doing all the above, plastering the whole population with these accusations creates a stereotype and an unfriendly atmosphere for foreigners to live. Yes, the west has stereotypes of ethnic minorities and other nationalities. But they tend to be more positive, and while incorrect, racist, and blatently middle school aged humor, I imagine it's hard to find an Asian upset that he's considered a ninja or kung fu master or a black guy that automatically gets assumed he's hung like a horse. The stereotypes for white foreigners here are far more negative, and have at times, created an unsafe environment to be apart of.

I'm not here to defend the foreigners at all costs. There are things we do here that could be considered annoying or disrespectful. Not learning the language could be considered one. (I point this out, fully acknowledging my own role in barely getting passed basic conversational Hangeul) But with a culture that has become so "English obsessed", where locals try to speak to you in English, even after you've spoken Korean, it's easy to see how one could become lazy. What's the point really? Most Korean girls that date foreign guys, aren't dating them to teach them Korean. Let's face it, some either identify with western culture more or see this as a fine opportunity to use their English extensively while having a relationship, or both.

But I digress...

The point I'm trying to make, or better, the question I'm trying to pose is, "Where is all this heading?" I've even noticed a general negative reaction I get from total strangers on the street. I got the "evil stare" as well as the "spit on the spot you just walked on" twice today while walking in Apgujung. I've noticed retailers, outside of Itaewon, roll their eyes or ignore me when I come into their store. "I'm here to spend my money on your product in your store. Doesn't that at least deserve a smile?"

It seems that there is some bad blood brewing between the foreign and local inhabitants of the peninsula. It appears that in a world that is becoming more integrated, more connected, Korea is fighting against the flow. Nationalism has exploded, to the point where if one criticizes anything about the country, points out one thing they find displeasing, they are labeled as hating Korea. I see a country becoming more isolated. More introverted and less concerned with the outside world. Truly living up to the title of the "Hermit Kingdom." With this kind of environment, why should it be a surprise to anyone to find foreigners feeling un-welcomed and reacting to the negativity with negativity of their own? Where does this lead? I would venture to guess, that without the job market like it is in the West, we would not be seeing this dramatic flow of newcomers to Korea, but instead a mass exodus from the land of the morning calm. With more foreigners, comes more reasons to hate them. More hate breeds hate.

I hate to imagine the future of this country if it continues down this path. I see very little evidence of the tide turning in the opposite direction. Of course, there are and always will be good will ambassadors from both sides. It is for those people I would be proud to applaud. But I think most will agree, they are a minority. An increasingly shrinking minority at that.

eIn

[Julius]

First up you need to change the title of this thread to something more specifically to do with your topic. People are assuming this thread is about current weather patterns and ignoring it.

[Ukon]

As a black guy, I don't get any of that here...

You remind me of dudes back home who thought every little sleight was a racist gesture....

[Leslie Cheswyck]

^ I did click here because I thought it was about the current weather.

How about "Clouds of Xenophobia Darkening" or something like that.

I've noticed the current trend; started about 2,3 years ago, around the time that anti-English rectum thing got going.

Edit: Addressing Ukon's point: Of slights, I've had a few, but then again, too few to mention...

My beef is with Immigration.

[redaxe]

Enh, I don't think Koreans are becoming any MORE xenophobic. I just think they're being exposed to much MORE foreigners than ever before, and some of them (let's face it) not exactly high-quality characters due to the fact that basically anyone from an English-speaking country with a bachelor's degree and a pulse can get a job teaching English here. So there's just more friction.

In the meantime I have noticed that they're trying REALLY hard lately to improve Korea's image abroad with the whole "sparkling" campaign, and lots of tourist-friendly facilities and programs, signs in English, etc. They really want foreigners to be interested in Korean culture and come here because they want to see and experience Korea. Maybe they only like foreigners as tourists, the whole "you're a a guest in our country" attitude, but I do see Seoul becoming a lot more foreign-friendly as a result.

And in the meantime (hopefully) the English hagwon industry will deflate a bit and the demand for foreign English teachers will shrink to match the supply of foreigners willing to come work in Korea, so they'll be able to tighten up the qualifications a bit and there won't be so many people coming here JUST because they couldn't find a job back home. Then there won't be so much to complain about.

[phoneboothface]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMESne2PcnU

Man I'm farting into my chair cushion alot tonight.

[Tundra_Creature]

Yeah, I honestly thought it was about the weather here as well. I was thinking "Aw, crap, they've been getting crappy weather there in Korea too?" Weather has been absolutely terrible in Eastern Canada. Feels like we've been getting once nice day after every two weeks or something.

Yeah, I can't really talk about the racism out in Korea since I haven't gone there yet. I'll put in my two cents once I get there.

Btw... how is the weather in SK right now?

[peppermint]

These things go two year cycles. I figure all the stuff about foreigners is a way to distract themselves from what's going on up North. It's been about a year and a half, if you start from the mad cow protests, so they'll move on to bashing Japan fairly soon.

[Julius]

[Chambertin]

Holy crap ein, you are writing properly.
You must be serious about this. I agree with the cycles of hate and love thing. When times are tough every country picks on the foreigners, when times get good foreigners are all cool and mystical again

[Forward Observer]

Something for the newbies:

When the weather gets hot & humid around July 15 through August 20, be careful out there. The heat affects people and they start to get short tempers - there are more fights and arguments overall. Nothing to really get worried about, but just try to be safe.

[Tundra_Creature]

I'm arriving on the 28th of August. Am I safe from the temper?

I get a bit cranky during humid spells- but then all the heat makes me sleepy and I take a nap. Maybe that's what everyone needs.

[benji1422]

You guys are hilarious with your daily "Korea's racist" and "xenophobic" threads which crop up every week.

Up until 40 years ago America was the most racist nation besides S. Africa, a country which enforced racial separation through legislation and violence.

These beliefs, while not politically correct, are still held today by the majority of people who only voice them once in a while:

http://gawker.com/5310208/brian-kilmeade-would-like-species-and-ethnics-to-remain-pure

You are now feeling what it's like to be on the receiving end of being a minority in a Western country.

It's partly your paranoia from the negative responses from a few farmers in suits which then start to affect your entire day-to-day interactions with everyone. Add the negative news articles, and lack of understanding of the culture (not to mention you can't speak the language) and that leads to the the thought that "the country is turning against us."

[sakamuras]

[travelingfool]

You guys are missing the bigger picture. The levels of alcoholism, domestic violence, stress, anxiety, rage, and depression are off the charts in Korea. There is a huge stigma against admitting you are hurting emotionally so people just keep their feelings repressed or drown them in a bottle of booze. The immense pressures of keeping up with the Parks, intense competition, and the get ahead at any cost mentality is taking its toll. It's not so much racism as it is frustration within their own society and foreigners are an easy target. Then you have the 800 pound gorilla in the room which is North Korea threatening to turn Seoul into a sea of fire every week. Who wouldn't be angry living in that kind of environment?

By the way, I think it's really sad how some people think that "racism" or any other kind of mistreatment of whites is somehow amusing because they are getting a taste of their own medicine. Yeah, really funny. Some of those whites are going to go back to the west and the return the favor when they see an Asian person, Korean or not, and the cycle of hate continues, just like our governments want. Keep the people divided.