Korean Job Discussion Forums

shawner88 · Joined: 01 Feb 2003

There's a restaurant nearby where the food is really delicious. I love it. I always get Kimchi Chigae or Dwen Jang. They make an ever-changing variety of side dishes which are 95% of the time wonderful. The problem is the ajumma. She is too kind but she cannot fathom I can't understand what she is saying. I've told her a hundred times I can't speak Korean well, but she keeps talking and asking me questions. Sometimes she'll even sit with me. I really wish I could speak Korean, but even when I do know what she is saying, I'm afraid to reply because I learned most of my Korean in the banmal form and my pronunciation is terrible, especially to older people and kids, they never understand me.

Well, it made me feel really uncomfortable so I stopped going there. I feel awful because I pass her place everyday and sometimes she asks me why I don't eat there. I went there tonight for the first time in ages and she was so happy. She kept telling me to come everyday, but it was the same. She sat down and started talking to me again and everyone was watching and laughing. I'm in a small town and there'snot many places to get such good food. Perhaps I should have a Korean write her a letter for me? or just eat there and feel stupid. I guess I should just learn how to speak Korean better, but that's not going to happen soon.

I thought I'd share this here because I'm guessing this has happened to other people. It's happened to me several times actually. There's also another place I stopped going because the lady there took an English class so she could talk to me, but it was always so awkward and I justwanted to eat and be left alone.

wylde · Joined: 14 Apr 2003

chey song humnidah.. molaiyo

chey song humnidah.. molaiyo

chey song humnidah.. molaiyo

chey song humnidah.. molaiyo

smile, nod & bow... enjoy your food

ya never know, she might be interested in trying out foreign sausage.

really... just say sorry, i don't understand. best advice i can give..

what would you have your korean friend write?

jaebea · Joined: 21 Sep 2003 Location: SYD

I'm sure she knows you don't understand.

Maybe its her way of helping you out learn Korean? Bombard you with enough questions and maybe you'll recognise something.

I can live with a bit of friendliness for good food. It's worth it. :)

jae.

Eazy_E · Joined: 30 Oct 2003 Location: British Columbia, Canada

Yeah a lot of people know that I don't understand much Korean, but they keep blabbing regardless. Funny thing is, there's an ajumma (about 35... ajumma? she's not that old) well anyways she works at a bakery that I go to quite often and she's the only Korean that I understand!!! She seems to talk more slowly and clearly, or something. But I can almost always understand what she says even though I couldn't repeat it.

I guess that doesn't help you, but just be aware that Koreans like to talk to foreigners... it's kind of a fun novelty for them to have a foreign customer.

shawner88 · Joined: 01 Feb 2003

One thing that I may try doing next time, at a new place is not speaking ANY korean besides thank you and i don't understand, im sorry and goodbye. I sometimes make the mistake of answering/asking a few questions and then that sets them off and they forever think I can speak Korean so well.

kangnamdragon · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Kangnam, Seoul, Korea

shawner88 · Joined: 01 Feb 2003

Well, that's pretty obvious she's trying to be friendly and helpful. I like her a lot. She is so kind. It's just after teaching and whatnot I just want to sit quietly and eat without the awkwardness. Oh well, it comes with the territory. What I was really wondering if this experience has happened to you, where you avoid a place you like because of feeling uncomfortable like that.

mithridates · Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2004 4:32 am Post subject:

I do that all the time...after frequenting a place a few times sometimes the manager will get a little too friendly and I won't be able to study anymore. Sometimes a cooling-off period works, but sometimes it's incurable and the only way to get around it is by telling the truth.

A few weeks ago I saw a British friend of mine in a sandwich shop so I stopped in to say hi and talk. After that the manager came in and started asking me where I was from, etc., said he had seen me around before and whatnot. We were in English mode so I chatted with the guy in English, no sense being silly. He then asked me what I did and I told him, showing him some of the articles I wrote for the Korean newspapers here. He said, 'So you speak Korean?' and I replied, "Why yes I do. I did write these articles after all." in Korean... He laughed and said, "Okay okay! But you know, I can't speak to foreigners in Korean! I don't know why! Next time you come to my shop and buy a sandwich and we talk in English, okay?" I replied sarcastically "What a great idea!" and took my leave a few minutes later...

I suppose the point is that some places can't be reasoned with, but it's not your fault if they make you uncomfortable. If you really like the place try to reason with them, but if they get hurt by it there's nothing you can do; you'll have to stop going I suppose...

shakuhachi · Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Location: Sydney

Make it clear to the ajuma that you are not open to non sexual relationships with women. If it backfires though, dont blame me.

shawner88 · Joined: 01 Feb 2003

I'm almost ready to quit my health club too. The new trainer won't leave me alone. I've even gotten to the point where I'm actually rude to him: "bbali gaaaaaaa!"...he just doesn't get it. He stands there and watches me, counts my reps, demands I do his routines, etc.. He's not even in shape and he smokes. I dread going now. Maybe I should talk to the owner. Tonight I did my workout at home...pushups and situps.

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

I'd say be grateful for small favors. Take a book/notebook with you and keep it open like you are busy. Stop for a minute or two when someone wants to chat, but keep glancing down. They get the idea.

I know what you mean, and it can be annoying, but I try to remind myself how it could be the opposite situation...where 'they' hate our presence here. Being too friendly is a blessing in comparison.

shawner88 · Joined: 01 Feb 2003

Isn't that sad, though, really. If my skin was brown, and I worked my ass off all day in a sweatshop, I'd bet it'd be a whole different story.

little mixed girl · Joined: 11 Jun 2003 Location: shin hyesung's bed~

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chronicpride · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

Cthulhu · Joined: 02 Feb 2003