Korean Job Discussion Forums

[moonhaus]

Hello everyone,

I recently took a new job, and have noticed something i never did before.

Often, when I ask diferent questions about a contract, purchasing something, opening a bank account, etc, I am answered repeatedly with the exact same answer. For example:

me: What are my options for phone services?
Olleh desk clerk: most foreigners get a prepaid phone
me: is it possible to get a contract?
Olleh clerk: most foreigners get a prepaid phone
me: yes, but is is possible to get a one or two year phone contract?
olleh clerk: most foreigners get a prepaid phone.
...

This has happened to me multiple times since moving to Gangneung. At work when dealing with my contract, at Olleh, the bank, etc. it's incredibly frustrating because none of my actual questions are ever addressed. I'm not sure if it's the way I ask questions, if no one can understand my standard American accent and are pretending they can, or if I am missing some cultural cues that I should be aware of?

Any advice ?thanks
Jerah

[ThingsComeAround]

Your example of the olleh desk clerk is one that you will have to deal with until you stop asking questions and tell them what you want.

Some are good at working (doing their job) here, but they are in the minority. Even more so since they feel talking with you, a foreigner, is 'too difficult'. You have to know what you want and not give in when a salesman gives you the runaround.

Good luck.

[kneezah~]

if anyone has an answer to this i'd really like to know...

ve had similar encounters with ajumma and really have no idea how to handle them... the only acceptable thing to do is agree.

for example...

i live in an officetel. when i first arrived i was unsure what to do with my garbage. then i noticed the my neighbour left their garbage in front of the telephone pole near our building. so i did the same (and yes, i put it in the proper bag).

i continued to do this for 2 years... finally one day an ajumma saw me and said, "you can't put your garbage there." i asked, "why?" and her response was, "you can't put your garbage there." confused and perplexed i didn't know what do do... why after 2 years i suddenly can't put my garbage in front of my building is beyond me. rather than try to argue i asked her, "what i should do?" there was no response. then i asked, "where i should i put?" again no response. keep in mind the entire conversation was in korean... i finally just said ok and picked up my garbage to move it elsewhere and see seemed satisfied.

[tigershark]

ummm... I'll take a stab at it with a classic line from Yoda (situationally modified).

"Do, or Do not. There is no ask."

[happiness]