Korean Job Discussion Forums

[madhusudan]

I'm sitting here now at 2:20am pretty pissed off. Let me run this story off my mind. I still can't believe it.

Well, I met an old ex-co-teacher that I'd gotten along well with, along with one other woman for drinks. Some others were supposed to show up that never did. Between a dak galbi dinner and a couple beer bars we had four bottles of soju, shared between three people, and I had 4 glasses of beer total myself. Just for an accounting of my drinks. I was far from drunk but somewhat buzzed.

Upon leaving the last place my ex-coworker took a tumble on the stairs and managed to get a pretty good gash on the bridge of her nose. Blood was all over her face. The other girl was trying to say she should go to the hospital, but when I looked at it it didn't seem that serious. More like she needed to go home and wash/disinfect it.

A taxi to get this woman home was a priority. We were waiting for one and talking when I looked over and saw two ajossi waiting for a taxi as well. That's when the problem started.

I told the two guys, in Korean, that we were there first and were going to take the next taxi. They grumbled and mumbled some words that I really didn't pay attention to. When the next taxi pulled up I walked in front of them and put my friend in the car. The one guy pushed me. I pushed him back, a bit harder, sending him into his friend's arms. After that, as the [Mod Edit] the fan I started running (remembering what I'd read here about the police) and they chased me.

The other guy (the one I hadn't touched) kept grabbing my coat as I was trying to get away, but I'd get loose and keep running. Then he finally gave me a great shove from behind and sent me to the pavement. I skinned my hands and knees. The other fellow caught up and they took me up and called the police.

At this point, I was pretty confident, as I was the only one injured. The cops came, and we told out stories, with the other woman I was with as my interpreter. I asked for 100,000 won for my injuries and I'd let it go. They refused and we went to the police station in the car. I was surprised that they put us all in the car, though I told them these guys had just attacked me. The cops said don't worry about it.

Once in the cop shop we told our stories again, with these guys constantly standing up in fury shouting with fists raised every other word of my account. The end result was that the guy I pushed claimed that I had injured him (like a puss) and that I had to apologize to him. I refused and said that that I'd accept 50,000won for my trouble and that I too had neck pain from the altercation (one for one, right?). It was clear that we'd be there all night.

I wasn't about to spend the night there. The other woman I had been out with was crying and begging me to just follow the cops' recommendation. In the end, we all said sorry and walked out. That's why I' home now.

I tried to explain that if it had been the other way around, with me causing damage to them (remember, my hands and one knee were openly bleeding) it would be no question that I'd be at fault. That didn't seem to sway anyone. The cops' response was that they are impartial. I guess I know firsthand about justice in Korea now. Funny thing is I'd never been in a police station before. Great first experience to be totally denied.

Anyways, long post, totally true. Another day in Korea.

[guava]

[ChopChaeJoe]

Seems pretty stupid, why did you begin an altercation? Just wait for the next taxi and go.

[conrad2]

You took their taxi. You were in the wrong. When waiting for a taxi on the street at night, its a free for all. Doesnt depend on who got there first.

[Forever]

The OP was lucky to have the female Korean friend come to the police station to translate and help him end the dispute.

In the future if Koreans push in front of you (at the bus stop, subway station or in order to take your taxi) just shout at them - but never touch them - even if one did give you a bit of a push.

The Korean female friends you were with should have been the ones to tell the 2-korean guys that it was their taxi and they needed it as one was bleeding around the nose.

The Korean guy did push you first - but its always best not to touch a Korean - they have learnt since childhood to fake pain and injuries and always put the blame on others, especially if a foreigner is the "other".

[cdninkorea]

I can't believe you guys are blaming the OP when he was the one who got pushed first and chased when he tried to run away.

[discostu333]

[Old Gil]

[conrad2]

[whiteshoes]

I'm glad things worked out for the OP, but I would never act that way. Everyone knows that the Koreans are right and we are wrong. Add violence and booze to the mix and the waygookin loses nearly every time.

[Adventurer]

Well, in many countries, not just Korea, if you are a foreigner you are basially a black man in the US South, and it's 1950. It doesn't matter where the foreigner is from or who he is, unless he or she is a diplomat.
If you get in trouble in the Persian Gulf or Korea, it's often your fault, but not always. I was once hit by a car, and I didn't really want money. I was okay. The insurance company insisted I take money. It's not always the case that those who are at fault get off, but it's often the case, from what I hear. Also, in Mexico, connections are important. In Korea ethnic and money connections play a role. It's a third world country when it comes to justice just as much of the world is. Korea is not an exception, unfortunately. This isn't Western Europe.

I wouldn't have just stood in front of the people like the OP did or try to seem confrontational. I have mentioned before when someone cut in front of me, that they did. That said, the OP is not at fault, and those guys were scum, really, since they saw a lady was injured, but they didn't care. I couldn't imagine someone in the US or Canada upon seeing a hurt person waiting for a cab would cut in front of the person. In fact, they would often let the person go in front of them. I am sure there are Koreans who would do the same, but this incident doesn't shock me somehow. I've heard about it way too many times, though I haven't dealt with myself.

[jvalmer]

Always wonder why a lot of guys like escalating the situation. Many taxis around.

[runthegauntlet]

Well, that was a stupid story. You got 'em OP, big man you are. Was it worth it?

Winners all around.

[Forward Observer]

[mayorgc]

If getting a taxi at night is a free for all, then the op didn't do anything wrong in taking the taxi, since it's a free for all.

But he's lucky he didn't go to jail.