Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mgafunnell]

What was your perception of Koreans before coming to Korea? What's your perception of Koreans now?

[VanIslander]

Zero perception before. I couldn't tell the difference between Koreans, Thais and the Vietnamese.

[Aelric]

The Koreans I knew back home were friendly, kind folks, very talkative and showed lots of hospitality. That is why it was such a shock on the ground here. It's...not as bad as people complain, but sometimes it's worse? I go somewhere between adoring Koreans and loathing their culture.

[Unposter]

When I was on the way to Korea for the first time many moons ago, I had to stop in Chicago to get my visa stamped in my passport. At that time, I really had no conception of Korea or Koreans. A friend of my parents lived in Chicago and she took me out for dinner before my flight - my flight didn't leave until like midnight or something.

Well, my parents friend and had never married and she lived with her brother who was this hot shot millionaire stock broker type. He asked me what I was doing and I said I was headed out to the Korean countryside to teach them English. He practically had a coronary. He asked me why in the heck do you want to do that. You do know that all Koreans are liars. No joke!

I was pretty upset at him. How could he say that about a whole country?

It did not take long after ariving in Korea to understand what he meant.

Still, I have come to love this country and many of its people. It is far from perfect. What place is? But, there is enough for me to appreciate.

[Janny]

I can't vote because none of your options apply to me.

I would not try to summarize my perception of all Koreans. Koreans are people with a myriad of personalities, histories, experiences and outlooks (like everyone else).

Korean CULTURE on the other hand... easier to make generalizations.

I think we could separate culture and the people. Koreans are sometimes tightly bound to their culture, sometimes not.

[balzor]

Wouldn't this be 2 polls then? When I first came, I told myself that I am in their country, so I will have to adapt to them. At first, I found them a little rude and cold, but lately I don't see a difference in how they act vs anyone else int he world. They way they act is how they have always done it (in general) and to them, it is a normal way of life. When I learned to accept that, I found myself far more tolerant and understanding. Now I think they are a friendly people, although there are still some customs that I don't like

[iwillnotbedenied]

I knew some Koreans back home in MI. In fact, my home was right next door to a Korean-specific church. Not too much interaction though. I was young and busy with other things.

I came here in 2007, worked in Jeollanamdo until August 2009. That experience almost tainted me against the place, and I had to realize I was only getting a small slice of an extremely conservative, small rural region. I came to Seosan in Dec 09, and it's like I'm in a different country. I couldn't be happier. People that knew me before are very surprised to learn I've changed my tune.

[air76]

I have no problem with Korean people, it is the Korean culture that I can't stand. Whenever I meet a new Korean person I always give them the benefit of the doubt, and then it all depends on how closely they adhere to the Korean stereotype as to whether or not I get on with them. If they are on the fast track to ajoshi or ajuma status (or already there) then I really don't have much time for them.

I find that there are many Koreans who are forward thinking and open minded, but that the vast majority are not. I also find that both the Koreans who I can have a conversation with and those who drive me absolutely crazy are very nice and genuinely friendly.

I don't know if my perception of Koreans has changed as I didn't really have much of a perception before I lived here....but yeah, in general I don't like the way that Korean people behave. That doesn't mean that I don't like Koreans, they are nice people and this IS their country, but I tend to try and avoid Koreans for the most part, with the exception of a small minority.

There are 1001 things that the Koreans do that make me want to pull my hair out and scream, and less than 5 things that make me give a thumb's up and say "wow, I like that better than the way I'd do it"....one of which is the buzzer system at restaurants (or how you can just shout yogi-yo for service) and another which is the bbq in the table you find at galbi restaurants.

Oh well...all in all it's been a great experience here...come the end of this contract it will make 4 years total in 2 tours of duty, and then we can say good-bye to Korea (and to Asia) for good.

[goniff]

generally indifferent...

bar my wife and her family...

can't explain this aberration...

[Seoul'n'Corea]

[orosee]

The longer I stay here, the more I like it. It's a bit like bath water that feels either too hot or too cold when you get in, but after a while you feel comfortable. If you widen your circle of Korean friends* your perspective widens as well.

*in particular those that haven't made hanging out each night in Hongdae or Itaewon a habit

But... why would that be a question to ask about Korea? It's a general stranger-in-a-strange-land issue.

[PigeonFart]

I think the words "hate" is too strong.

Anyway, i had little or no opinion of them until i came here. It is now generally a negative opinion.

Although i do see them as being ahead on some things (low level of violence, good public transport, high-tech etc).

[Ginormousaurus]

[orosee]

[mayorgc]

My perceptions of Koreans changed after visiting China.

Korea and Koreans are like the Ritz compared to the roach infested motel 6 that the Chinese and China are.