Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Gollum]

There is this dumb ajumma and ajjoshi who run a flat truck selling fruit and/or fish in Itaewon by the post office. They started by parking up on the sidewalk of this area, and have gradually moved out enough every other day to block the street going up the hill. Sure, you can get around them, but it takes some doing sometimes.

I finally had enough the other night when the taxi I was riding in had to do a 4 point turn to get around. I opened my window and chewed her out big-time through the window -- saying basically, "Ajumma, move your truck. This isn't a parking lot!"

Stupid idiots all looked at me like I was an evil foreigner for getting angry with someone older. The taxi driver I was with was sort of shocked by it too, and just laughed. He had to be 90.

I don't care that I'm in Korea... age is no excuse for acting like an idiot.

[capa21]

Amen. I've been here for 3 months and this was the first thing that really bothered me..and still does everyday. Especially when they stand in the middle of the sidewalk waiting for the bus. I guess people don't like to make eye contact here so they keep their heads down. I'm only willing to move a little so I've knocked a few people off balance and even on their ass a few times. Then I wonder if I should apologize or not. I usually don't cause if I did I they wouldn't get the point. It's also bad when everyone has their umbrellas out when its raining. Unless they want to lose an eye they better learn some sidewalk etiquette.

[sadsac]

This is Korea folks. The land where if you are not family or friend then you are invisible. They don't care what we think. They don't have the same values regarding common everyday courtesy that we extend to friends and strangers alike. If they had the stupid people police here, 70 percent of the population would get arrested, including many foreigners. One day they may learn that to be part of the world you need to be understanding of some of the fundemental differences. It is a shame that they also carry this indifference to others, with them when they travel.

[coolsage]

I've been here long enough to become somewhat desentisized to many of the foibles that are uniquely Korean, and there's no need to reprise them here. Suffice to say that in your lifetime, (most) Koreans won't get that most Westerners don't enjoy abrupt physical contact with people that they don't already know. I've learned the 'Korea Sidestep' by now, but I still get blindsided once in a while.

[The Man known as The Man]

[the eye]

another thing that may seem very subtle to us westerners is -eye contact-
If you look at the oncoming traffic in the face, you have already given 'right of way'
Koreans pick up on this...they think you have acknowledged their approach and therefore will give them space

[Maranag]

It depends. If you give them a look like you're ready to give way, they won't move.

If, on the other had, you channel the resolve of a brick wall into your steady, unyielding gaze... trust me, my friend, they will move.

I used to get annoyed by this pushing and shoving, until I adopted what is probably the Korean attitude about this: I just go where I want to go (and steel my shoulders/arms for the punishment (they give out!!)). In fact, I just don't worry about it anymore. If the only contact a Korean will have with you is to give you a little bump, well .. hey ... may as well make it a good one!

Oh, and ... I also make an effort to move if I notice the reciprocal thought process happening within the person I'm approaching.

[batman]

When I lived in Japan, pushing and shoving was not an issue. In Korea, which is another kettle of squid altogether, I just give it as good as it comes.
When in Rome, do as the Romans....

[The Man known as The Man]

[Mr. Pink]

I usually give more than I get. I love it when I go to exit the subway and some ajuma runs into me. I just keep walking and she's got no choice but to back up.

I feel sorry when kids run into me and get hurt, but if they learn when young enough to LOOK WHERE YOU ARE GOING...I can save one of the little ones from becoming a bull ajuma or ajushi.

[Grotto]

I believe that many Koreans have a 'the world ends here..2cm in front of their noses' anything that is further away they are blissfully ignorant of it. Thats the way they walk, drive and generally go through life. No thinking of the ramifications of not paying attention.

I am amazed that the streets are not littered with the dead and dying, people walking out into traffic, cars running red lights, crosswalks, speeding, talking on cel phones just being totally oblivious to all that goes on.

I am pretty lucky as I am a big guy, real big, when I walk I try to be aware of my surroundings, but when somebody walks into me they go down. I just smile and help them up or step over them laughing.

HEADS UP PEOPLE

[paperbag princess]

apparently the whole issue stems back to the confucian system of knowing people. if people don't "know" you, re: have been formally introduced, you don't actually exist. i read this in a culture shock book, but i think it's bs.

i now put my elbows up in the metro to keep people away. i'm sure that soon i'll be pushing people out of the way as well.

on the topic of ajumas, yesterday, one told me to be quiet on the metro. what's up with that??? people here are so rude. i wasn't being loud, i was just speaking to my friend. i told her to f*ck off. next time that happens i think i will start yelling madly.

[Mashimaro]

[uberscheisse]

the sense that i get from this thread is that...

when in rome... it's good old cultural relativism. just get into it, it can be fun.

and the ajumas sticking their elbows out, i'm 6 feet tall and 190, i refuse to play dodge-uma with a xenophobe.

[Danielos]