Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Julius]

OK so I've noticed there seems to be a fair bit of this lately on the subway and busses. Maybe its just lonely newbies?

Trying to have a bit of conversation is fair enough I guess, but.. please remember the following.


*Expecting another foreigner to indulge you just because they happen to speak the same language is not exactly charming.

*The majority of people do not want to talk to complete strangers.

*is it just out of loneliness??..If so then there are plenty of clubs, churches, groups and facebook networks you should be considering.

* Be aware of your own body language and appearance. Your intended conversation partner will have only milliseconds to judge wether you are mentally insane, an axe murderer or pickpocket, never mind what your intentions are. This is essentially stressful to most. If you appear creepy, have a cold stare, seem arrogant, untidy or unshaven..people will probably want to run away or call the police.

* Do not judge anyone that you meet. Remember you have just invaded their space, so be careful about indicating that you've find they're not your cup of tea.

*Do not grunt or suck your teeth if someone brushes you off. It is nobody's "social duty" to "be friendly" and indulge your curiosity.

*Culturally Koreans simply do not talk to strangers in public places- more so than other cultures.

*Do not expect anything from the interraction. Most people do not want to give their phone numbers or contact details to strangers, even if they have shared a reasonably OK conversation.

*Learn to read body language. And back off if the person does not appear interested, awkward or uncomfortable in any way. This includes them ignoring you, diving into their book, avoiding eye contact, etc.

*This applies also to Koreans approaching foreigners. Especially those seeking free english buddies.

*The person might think you are very lonely or very horny. They might even consider the interraction as mild harrasment. Especially if you continue talking longer than is necessary.

*If you are going to flirt or try crack onto someone... check first if they are with their significant other or even with friends or relatives. And remember its a subway, not a night club.

*Be aware that cracking onto Korean women may be viewed as a crime by some. In any case women may be more wary of being approached by men..that they do not know. Let alone non-koreans.

*Know how it is to be approached yourself. Do you welcome being approached by strangers?

[myenglishisno]

Most of this stuff should be common sense. After a few weeks of riding the trains, it should all be apparent.

Sadly, some people have no social skills and no desire to read other people. Recently I was sitting on a train with your earphones in only to have a morbidly obese English teacher with bad body odour squeeze in beside me so he could start yammering on about race tracks he likes to visit in Korea while showing me pictures of scantily clad race track models on his iPad. This would have been tolerable had he not smelled like he just shat his pants (I honestly think that he did).

Any reasonable person would have seen one of the dozens of signals I was leaving to show that I was uncomfortable but this guy didn't even seem to have the slightest bit of awareness. I got off the train, telling him it was my stop and got into a different train car.

That's the thing: people like that would never read a post like this. They have no idea that they put people off. Strange people know not that they are strange.

Fatso probably thought I was the strange one for not being in awe of his amazing race track experiences and iPad women.

[The Great Toad]

Giudlines for being your own best friend and avoiding persons who you do not want to befriend:

On the subway avoid eye contact with very large portly white men- especially if you are a petite girl of any race. This also applies to Korean men and boys of the 11-16 and 40-60 age brackets 17-39 year old will not be prone to strike up an unwanted conversation with you.

Wear head phones-not ear pods- these are more obvious and the physical largeness of them can not be mistaken. You can also wear earplugs under them and crank up Iron Maiden - or better yet Shakira or Alleezz and then respond in kind- Spanish or French when accosted by the loser nerd. French may not be a good idea as Fat French fellows are known also to hail from Quebec and claim to teach English well.

If you are a male of size and threatening disposition use this to avoid conversation - utter a grunt or a "Get slotted!" reply to questions on what to do in Seoul or where to find the KOEX. Try to use a yardy accent that recalls a British ghetto. Or if you are a stupid American and can not do anything but US accents fall back on a Deep South Alabama son of sister drawl.

Once again if you are non-Korean women you are at a huge disadvantage. Predatory male pigs who exploit ladies know you can not request help or even if you can Koreans on the subway will ignore you thinking you are a Western *beep* and that the man in your personnel space is an old tag team buddy. In this case your best strategy is to carry mace and a whistler. First threaten with the mace and then toot the whistle as loud as you can. Even in a worse case scenario an old Korean women will also hit the male pig with her purse after she yells at you for waking her up.

If you happen to be a K-American and can speak Koreanish just yell 니치소외국인 as loud as you can. Hopefully a Korean man will then interpose himself against him or better yet a Old crabby married lady will begin swatting him furiously.

Lastly if you see a hugely grossly obese white man redolent of swiss cheese and chicken grease with a kimchee eating grin on his face and shrunken t-shirt with hand scrawled hangeul on it- immediately exit the subway car - that is me
http://www.ithappensinindia.com/women/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Fat_guy.jpg
and I am about to approach you and ask you to help me find taco bell or jesters pie. And if you are a charming lass invite you for the opportunity to buy me some and than share coffee - you can buy at a near by cafe while you compliment me on my long nose and handsome face.

[jfromtheway]

Anti–social computer warrior weirdos, destined to ostracize their own kind in a foreign land, emulating the natives' lack of trust and fearful views towards strangers. Some healthy personalities here. How about being friendly, accepting people, and enjoying random daily conversations. Nah, that might actually make some of us start enjoying life a little more, and we can't have that here in Korea, the land where isolated misery seems to reign. Guess some of you have a case of the Mundays, lighten the f up and get over yourselves.

[strange_brew]

[Weigookin74]

Ha ha ha. Why do some people smell? Is it a health problem or a lack of common sense about taking a shower? I like to avoid weirdos or creepys myself.

But, let's be fair. I lived in a small town a few years ago. Not many foriegners. Think when I went to the city, I was starved for conversation. Meant I talked a lot. I was aware enough to apologize to people for it at the time. Also, some people were friendly enough to give me advice and talk back. I was definately surprised at some foriegners being quite clicky if you werent in their group. Read the body language and went and met other people. I assumed they were people not worth knowing.

Anyways, don't be too hard on people who talk too much or want to meet other foriegners. There might be legitimate reasons for that. If they smell or want to talk about strange things then, run away!!!!

[Weigookin74]

[Malislamusrex]

I was thinking about this the other day.

A waygookin sat next to me on a train and it was natural for us to talk simply because we were right next to each other.If I am standing directly in front of a waygookin it would be unatural to keep quiet and one of us would say something in close proximity on public transport . Then again if the same waygookin was 3 meters away I wouldn't say anything.

[Zyzyfer]

[Yaya]

I guess the best hint here is to get the hint if someone doesn't want to talk to you. I've talked to people in the subway and generally it's fine, but well, I can get the message if they're not interested.

[myenglishisno]

[The Floating World]

[Julius]

[The Floating World]

[ajosshi]