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Quack Addict
Joined: 31 Mar 2008
Location: Seoul
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 Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2011 4:32 pm Post subject: |
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| ChrisLamp wrote: |
As a foreigner nothing you ever do in Korea will be "socially acceptable". This is based solely on the fact that you look different. You could be sining the national anthem perfectly while wearing a Hanbok, drinking soju, eating kimchi and waving the South Korean flag but it wouldn't be ok, because you are foreign.
Stop trying to not offend Koreans and just to whatever the heck you want. |
+1
I don't understand why people care what other people think. You are eating. Who cares if you have a buddy? Go, sit down, order, eat, leave. It doesn't have to be stressful. I don't know how the OP got off his couch in America and came to a foriegn country. |
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sulperman
Joined: 14 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2011 4:45 pm Post subject: |
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| I second the advice about befriending a local chicken place owner. Just go in a few times and you'll be best buddies. Also, don't be afraid to go to a galbi place alone. Just make sure it isn't too packed (as that makes it weirder) and order 2 servings of meat. That's pretty much always the minimum. Dont be a cheapskate and try to get one, unless you enjoy sittiing in a restaurant in which you are not wanted. Just say dwaegi galbi ee in boon yo. Make sure you get a bottle of soju and you'll be best friends with the locals in just a few visits. |
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carleverson
Joined: 04 Dec 2009
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| Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2011 4:50 pm Post subject: |
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| sulperman wrote: |
| I second the advice about befriending a local chicken place owner. Just go in a few times and you'll be best buddies. Also, don't be afraid to go to a galbi place alone. Just make sure it isn't too packed (as that makes it weirder) and order 2 servings of meat. That's pretty much always the minimum. Dont be a cheapskate and try to get one, unless you enjoy sittiing in a restaurant in which you are not wanted. Just say dwaegi galbi ee in boon yo. Make sure you get a bottle of soju and you'll be best friends with the locals in just a few visits. |
The locals will pity you for being such a loner. |
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ChrisLamp
Joined: 27 Jul 2010
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| Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2011 6:50 pm Post subject: |
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| who cares? |
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Tallgesse
Joined: 06 Sep 2011
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| Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2011 8:01 pm Post subject: |
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This is one of those cultural contradiction things I keep seeing in books and ill made travel wiki's about ettiquette.
I keep hearing that Koreans don't normally go to restraunts alone... I've also read that its not uncommon for Koreans to not speak during a meal.... So umm...lol, whats the point then?
My guess is niether is true. The first probably more true than the second. |
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Zyzyfer
Joined: 29 Jan 2003
Location: who, what, where, when, why, how?
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| Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2011 9:00 pm Post subject: |
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| Tallgesse wrote: |
This is one of those cultural contradiction things I keep seeing in books and ill made travel wiki's about ettiquette.
I keep hearing that Koreans don't normally go to restraunts alone... I've also read that its not uncommon for Koreans to not speak during a meal.... So umm...lol, whats the point then?
My guess is niether is true. The first probably more true than the second. |
Having eaten lunch with Korean coworkers, I've experienced a lot of nearly silent meals. If they're the type who wolf down the food to free up extra lunch time, yeah, they'll cease talking when the food's out and go to town.
The first, I do agree that it's becoming a thing of the past in Seoul (and bigger cities, I'd assume). I had lunch by myself today and an old dude was doing the exact same thing. It's gotten somewhat common for lunch, but I think people still favor eating with others when possible.
And I agree, who cares? Just hit up a restaurant serving single dishes and eat. Th only places that still have some sort of taboo about eating alone are the grilled meat joints and the bars. |
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Tallgesse
Joined: 06 Sep 2011
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| Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2011 9:13 pm Post subject: |
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| The grilled meat places I get, there designed for groups. Why the bars? |
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Pa Jan Jo A Hamnida
Joined: 27 Oct 2006
Location: Not Korea
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| Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2011 9:40 pm Post subject: |
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| Go to a bar. Make nice with the barmaids. Get free anju! |
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Zyzyfer
Joined: 29 Jan 2003
Location: who, what, where, when, why, how?
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| Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2011 9:46 pm Post subject: |
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| Tallgesse wrote: |
| The grilled meat places I get, there designed for groups. Why the bars? |
You're drinking alone. It can be seen as depression or sadness drinking by some. |
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orosee
Joined: 07 Mar 2008
Location: Hannam-dong, Seoul
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| Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2011 9:53 pm Post subject: |
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| Pa Jan Jo A Hamnida wrote: |
| Go to a bar. Make nice with the barmaids. Get free anju! |
+1 |
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hari seldon
Joined: 05 Dec 2004
Location: Incheon
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| Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2011 5:07 am Post subject: |
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| It's quite common to see people dining alone in the U.S. and I've never heard of a person in that circumstance being denied service. But that's precisely what happened to me at a restaurant on Jeju-do. |
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rainism
Joined: 13 Apr 2011
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| Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2011 7:05 am Post subject: |
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always eating together is a tradition from Korean peasant society.
however, it's now under attack especially around lunchtime as busy Western business practices take hold.
most people will still find you strange and without friends if they see you dining alone. Additionally, restaurant menus and dishes are overwhelmingly for groups of at least two.
but it's slowly being chipped away at. |
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carleverson
Joined: 04 Dec 2009
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| Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2011 7:08 am Post subject: |
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| ChrisLamp wrote: |
| who cares? |
The OP? |
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pkang0202
Joined: 09 Mar 2007
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| Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2011 7:34 am Post subject: |
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I believe most Galbi places won't let you order 1 serving. If you want samgyupsal or galbi, sometimes they have a minimum 2 serving order.
Jsut an FYI. |
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PatrickGHBusan
Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Location: Busan (1997-2008) Canada 2008 -
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| Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2011 9:51 am Post subject: |
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| Basically anywhere.... |
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