Korean Job Discussion Forums

[the crusher]

What can I expect from encountering Koreans in Korea? Here in the US they seem to be indifferent about other nationalities and ethnic groups, they just stick to their own.

Well?

[catchshime]

Search the forums dude, ton of info about this.

[Hyeon Een]

Some are indifferent some aren't.

[halfmanhalfbiscuit]

Largely

[The Gipkik]

Depends on the time of day. I'd say they are firmly confined within their cultural and collective bubbles first thing in the morning, but their perspective enlarges during the course of the day. In the night time they can be downright friendly--but this may be an alcohol thing.

[Richard Krainium]

[Gibberish]

Like anywhere, it depends on if you're attractive or not.

[skookum]

I'm back again after three years and notice that folks seem less reactive to the existence of foreigners, at least where I've been so far. This is nice. Still get smiles from kids now and then, and folks are friendly when approached. But I haven't been in Seoul yet this time, or way out in the boonies either.

[Richard Krainium]

[Ilsanman]

I would say yes, most people are indifferent.

I sort of like it that way.

[beercanman]

In my experience, which is not small, not so indifferent, particularly when an issue arises that unites the nation. (Us vs them mentality)

[misher]

My experience so far is that in Seoul, most younger people are indifferent. It is really no different than any other large western city. If you are above average looking you might get a few looks from the ladies every once in a while. Outside of Seoul people will gawk.

[mc_jc]

I don't think it is appearance per se more than a way we present ourselves in public.
We are known as being gawdy, t-shirt and jean wearing people who try our best to stay in our 20's as long as possible.
The best way to guarantee a person will make a "double-take" at you is to dress smart- nice shirt & tie with neatly pressed slacks (mind you, a t-shirt underneath). Clean shaven with hair neatly cut and combed.
When I take the subway to work, I am guaranteed a glance from at least 3 or 4 women in the same subway car, as well as a smile or two. A combination of all this along with a newspaper will show some sense of cosmopalitan mentality that you are worth your appearance.
The thing about people in Korea is that they judge foreigners almost solely on how they look, because that look will determine what they do. I started dressing smart a long time ago and back then, when people asked what I did, they thought I was a businessman. You could almost feel their astonishment when I told them I was an ESL teacher back then because most of us never really dressed that smart. Also, it helped alot when meeting women on the streets and "making appointments" to meet up with them later for coffee or...whatever.


The indifference truly comes from how you pass yourself off to be. If you present yourself in a very clean manner, you will see a more lively attitude toward you.

[xingyiman]

[mc_jc]