Korean Job Discussion Forums

[cacheSurfer]

[Homer]

Rapier,

Or perhaps they don't want to hear loud people on the subways....

You see anti-foreigner conspiracies everywhere man...

[merryprankster]

Just today I was cruising down the street thinking- when I'm back in the States, walking down the street in China town or Korean town I think to myself- this is their place, but it's my native country, so we can both deal with it.

We all live in the same world. It's seperated by borders and politics, but it's the same world and all people have the same basic needs and desires.

I've struggled with the question of being quiet and not making any waves or just simply speaking quieltly and trying not to draw too much attention to myself. Either way I'm not a loud and abnoxious person.

I came to the conclusion that I should continue as I was doing- speaking at a normal volume and not too loudly. If someone gets in my face I decided not to back down but to be respectful. If somebody insists on pushing it, stay strong. Times are changing- quickly in Korea, but sometimes not quickly enough. It's our (everyone's)world, and as long as we step softly and not trample, there shouldn't be too much of a problem. Give the older folks a little leeway, but don't give in as much to the younger folks. Fighting doesn't usually solve much- but passive resistance says a lot.

Just be cool and let the other person make an ass of themself. People will remember that.

Peace

[sparkx]

I think its a case where there are a large number of adjossi's who feel threatened by a foreigners presence on a subway & then actually having to hear them puts them over the edge. I can't even count the number of times i've stepped on a subway and have been met with morbid stink-eyed stares from adjosshi's just looking for a reason to lay into me.

Its happened to me a couple of times and yah, its gay...I've always thought that the biggest problem with this country is the smug, alcoholic adjossi salary men who sing "My Way" in noraybangs, and feel that they're entitled to act any damn way they please since they've emerged from being the kicking boy in their company to become "powerful" managers.

[Mr. Pink]

[peppermint]

Well using the "not American" card implies that this behaviour is acceptable for Americans, or GIs. How many people think that's true?

[The Man known as The Man]

[Leslie Cheswyck]

[On the other hand]

[Alias]

Back in my home province, New Brunswick, if a group of French people are talking loudly they might be told to shut up by an older Anglo who still holds old prejudices. I've seen this a couple of times. Guess some people just don't like to hear different languages.

[nolin nae]

i've never really been told to "be quiet" on any form of public transportation here in korea. i usually travel alone and so that puts a damper on the conversation somewhat (although i do have some rather animated discussions with myself). if i do have a companion it's usually my wife and we normally speak korean.

however, there was one occasion when a drunken ajooshi spotted me (alone) and just started letting loose with expletives. i was sitting in my seat and laughing for the first few rounds. then he got up and tried to walk over towards me, stumbling around, falling into other passengers. the bus was crowded but no one said a word to him. as he was standing trying to approach me he was still yelling and spitting in couple of young girl's faces as he spoke. i decided it was time to diffuse the situation and go to him so that the rest of the bus wouldn't have to deal with this guy. i went directly to him and said to him, in korean, "sit down and be quiet or get off the bus". he was stunned and momentarily speechless. by this point the bus driver had caught on to what was happening and he started yelling at the drunken man, who proceeded to start arguing with the bus driver that i was picking a fight with him. the bus driver knew what was up and at the next stop he got up and physically escorted the man off the bus - and that was it. no one said another word to me.

that was one of the first times i felt i was on semi-equal grounding here. i find that these type of people are generally all bark and no bite and will wither quickly when confronted. also knowing some of the language undoubtedly helps in these type of situations.

[Pyongshin Sangja]

Riding public transportation sucks. Get a motorbike.

One more thing, has anyone ever told a Korean to shut up? I know I have.

[nolin nae]

i have a car, but somtimes the bus is less of a hassle when considering traffic and parking.

pyongshin...gotta add gigglebush to you sig...

[Pyongshin Sangja]

the sig can't hold any more characters. Well, cars are one thing. I guess I have developed a death wish after three years here. My autobike keeps me sane. Kinda.

[mindmetoo]