Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ladyandthetramp]

So yesterday, I'm just minding my own business, walking with my friend back to my pad in Sinchon, and some college-aged bloke walking with his ladyfriend is suddenly taken aback to see two white peeps walking around, and naturally (in Korea) says "Waygukin" to his girlfriend. Perhaps she was blind and he was describing everything he saw to her, kinda like what we've seen in movies before, but I'm not gonna put much money on that theory. I turned and waved to his girlfriend, who had turned to look, and she started to laugh, apparently because she was surprised that I understood this.

So what's up with that? It's annoying enough when teenagers do it (I don't really care when the real young lads do it), but here was some college-aged dude, in Sinchon, nonetheless, where white peeps are occasionally known to roam about, and he was so surprised to see a non-Korean that he needed to verbalize it so that he could really believe what he saw.

I guess I'm wondering what this forum feels is the proper procedure to follow in this event.

[sistersarah]

i think you followed the proper procedure. that's what i usually do. i say hello, or wave politely when people stare or talk about me. yes, they're shocked when the see you've understood, and maybe they won't do the same thing next time they see a foreigner. there's not much you can do, really.

[eamo]

Don't pretend you're actually annoyed by being a 'celebrity'..

[komtengi]

I do the same thing when people approach me and start speaking in english.... hit em with a one two of Korean and they dont know what to do with themselves

[kylehawkins2000]

It happens to me everyday and I'm never ceased to be amazed at how ignorant it makes the people look. It's almost like at home when we see a wild animal on the road side and we tap someone and say : Look! A Moose! Or Look! It's a Bald Eagle!.....the fact that there are tens of thousands of foreigners in Seoul doesn't seem to keep people from being amazed at the site of one of us though...

I've done this a few times, try it out. Stare back at them, tap your friend on the shoulder and point in mock amazement as you say "ooohh...hanguk saram!" and maybe add a "JaeMeeSaeyo" or two.

[weatherman]

It is fun when it is couple and and you can give the guy's chick a flirty eye, and really embarrass her and make the guy become possessive. I know this isn't a good thing to do, but if I am going to be their amusement for that moment, then I am going to shake them up a bit.

[Gord]

And we all know that back home in the old country, people never said "hey, check out what that Asian girl is wearing".

[komtengi]

[The Lemon]

[Sojuman99]

[Crois]

Just say back there's a Korean.

Something like Hanguk sa ram im ne da

[aussie col]

It's funnier to point back and say "Look, a Japanese person". Ilbon if I remember correctly but don't quote me on it.

Koreans don't like being called Japanese... but I find it funny.

[dogbert]

[dogbert]

[crazylemongirl]

I just find it best to smile and say hello but it depends on the context in which it is being said. If it's agressive then I just move on. If it is inquistive then I don't mind saying hello.