Korean Job Discussion Forums

[crossmr]

[Jane]

[quote="crossmr]
If you expect yourself to be treated like a citizen when you are not one is going to lead to all kinds of bitterness.[/quote]

I suspect us visitors and residents in Korea, regardless of country of origin, are not expecting to be treated like a Korean citizen. We are, on the other hand, are not expecting to be treated like 2nd class humans. (Or 3rd class, in the case of ppl from non-European/American nations.)

I think this sums up grievances in general.

[Easter Clark]

[redaxe]

[crossmr]

[redaxe]

[crossmr]

[I'm no Picasso]

Fair enough, crossmr. I've taken issues with some places you've gotten rowed up before, but you'll notice I didn't quote you directly in this thread, because I actually agreed with a lot of what you said.

I do think there is a difference between:

1. "This" (whatever "this" may be) is the way Korea is, and I've chosen to live here, and that's just that -- I can deal with it or I can go home. No place is perfect, no situation is perfect -- you just have to decide, can I live with it or can I not live with it? End of.

and

2. No use saying anything. There's nothing we can do about it.

There's nothing I can do to change the situation for all foreigners in Korea (or any other country) right this very second. However, I can change the situation for myself, but explaining how certain things make me uncomfortable or are not okay with me, and explaining the reasoning behind it. This has worked several times for me in the past so far in Korea -- the people involved had no idea that something they were saying or doing, in relation to me being a "foreigner", was making me uncomfortable. Now, they've changed the behavior -- not just with me, but hopefully with any other foreigners they encounter in the future.

And as cheesy as it may sound, I do believe in the two people tell two more people scenario. I think it does change things. And I really do have faith in Korea and in Koreans -- I believe the vast majority of them want to be open and welcoming to foreigners, and to make Korea a pleasant experience for foreigners. They just don't have a lot of experience at it, so they're not sure how to go about it.

I'm not talking about screaming at a drunk ajeosshi to go **** himself when he makes a racist attack on a street corner -- I'm talking about starting open dialogues between willing Koreans and willing foreigners who are trying to find a way to better coexist. Already in the last few months, a number of Korean-run websites and organizations designed to assist foreigners have popped up. Things *are* changing. And I don't think it would be happening nearly as quickly without foreigners and Koreans making meaningful connections with each other and helping each other understand where the other is coming from.

[benji1422]

[lorenchristopher]

I like Korea for a lot of reasons, but I can understand what the OP is saying.

I think a lot of that attitude has to do with the fact that Korea is really such a brand new baby compared to the other Asian countries, it only recently "opened" up....by force actually. Korea were super racist and isolationistic (new word?) before the 20th cent.

There are both sides of the fence....some Koreans are jealous of foreigners or have some beef/prejudices about them, many other Koreans would LOOOOVE to have a foreign friend and would escort you all around the city. You would be a small pride of their existence (I have quite a few Korean friends, but many of the K-acquaintences that I have are always thrilled to see me and talk to me, they're always offering to take me to dinner, give me rides, take me out for drinks, etc.) I know you said you've lived in Asia for 24 years, but have you tried to meet a lot of Koreans here?

I can't see how you'd think they are all rude and/or racists if you've actually made an attempt at hanging out with them (especially 20-30 year olds). I've lived here a year and a half and only had one or two encounters with Koreans who were just oblivious to what us "foreigners" are really like. But those people were both over 50 years old so I didn't hold it against them....when you really understand their history, how could you blame the old folks for not liking foreigners?? And...you're mistaken if you think it's only directed at us whities, lol.

[beercanman]

[jsk]

I'm a gyopo who can't speak Korean but can comprehend maybe half of spoken conversations. My candid opinion is that when it comes to society proper, I've never felt fully accepted in either America or Korea.

I grew up in the southern US. I got a lot of BS growing up in school for just being Asian. The differential treatment many foreigners complain about here is real, but it's just as real in America for an Asian person trying to adapt there. And good luck trying to adapt in America without being able to speak English. I'd wager that a foreigner who can't speak English will face more discrimination in America than a foreigner who can't speak Korean in Korea.

So my point is that Korean xenophobia and ignorance is real but it isn't special. It exists in every country in large doses. Last time I returned home from Korea, I interviewed for a position at the local public defender's office. The guy saw my last teaching position on my resume and spent 20 minutes trying to convince me he was some kind of expert about North Korea, based on what he saw on the news. I still get harsh stares from some establishments in the South even though I'm an American citizen with a neutral accent.

If anything, hopefully everyone's experience in Korea will make you more aware of the way you treat foreigners (or foreign-looking people) when you return home.

[winterfall]

[SHANE02]

The great thing about Korean TV is that you don't have to watch it at all because the internet download speed is so good.

[Sody]