Korean Job Discussion Forums

[VanIslander]

There are very few things that both me in Korea. I accept Korean practices as theirs, and I'm not here to change them. But...

When cashiers move my items aside at the register to serve a Korean behind me... I'm irked.

The first few times it didn't bother me much. But it happens so often and I wonder what they are thinking. I try to tell myself the workers are just trying to avoid the anger of an impatient Korean customer. Is that it?

I am aware that this isn't my country, I am not a citizen here, and so I have less legal rights as does non-citizens in any nation. I am usually treated as a welcome guest so I can handle the occasional rude encounter.

But to give up the idea of "first come, first served" in favour of "move out of the way when a Korean is coming" is difficult to deal with.

What do you do (or think) about it without getting resentful?

[Demophobe]

Never happened to me in 8 years.

Go to a different store.

[little mixed girl]

i got that when i wasn't fast enough pulling out my $$ and leaving.

you practically need to have the money in your hand and get ready to leave as soon as the things are in the bag.
pulling out the money at the register when ppl are waiting just causes them to move to the next person.

i'm not really 'down' with that either, cuz in the states u'll wait for each person, but sometimes waiting for slow ppl is hella annoying...

[hellofaniceguy]

I'm confused?!? WHY, WHY, WHY, would you tolerate the cashier moving your items aside while she/he helps the other person?!?!? I'd push aside that persons items!! And I'd scold the cashier. Give her the stink eye and finger slashing.
Just like to older people who cut in line... I tap them on the shoulder and use my finger pointing/scolding at them while telling them to get behind me.
No one can walk over you unless you let them.

[peppermint]

It might have happened once or twice in a busy store, but I just politely say "Jacamanyo" and with a sweet smile, push my way back.

[mindmetoo]

[dutchman]

[Real Reality]

FIRST COME, LAST SERVED... for waygook customers in Korea

How are foreigners treated in Korea?
FIRST COME, LAST SERVED

This happens in stores, restaurants, clinics, and other places.
And, some places never provide service for foreigners.

[VanIslander]

You snooze, you loose? Maybe that's what it's about.

Thanks guys. Perhaps I haven't been fast or aggressive enough to avoid it happening. Plus I remember twice I reached into my pocket to get my money and I guess, because I took a couple of seconds, the clerk pushed a button on the till and started serving the next customer. Then I had to wait until the customer was finished before paying for my things.

I kept thinking they were being rude, but I wanted to be polite. I still do.

I'll step up the pace, I guess, and reduce the space between me and the counter to lower the number of times I get bumped in several stores here on the island.

[chronicpride]

Good thread! Cultural misunderstanding averted.

[ulsanchris]

at small stores i find guys who want cigarettes jump the queue quite often. the way to avoid it is to have your money out and inthe cashiers face before the guy who wants cigarettes puts his money there.

[Corporal]

Yep. It's not just a foreigner thing. They do it to other Koreans too. They seem to think that if they have fewer items, that somehow entitles them to shove their stuff in front of yours and do the little hand wave thing (like the one they do when they cut you off in traffic). Just make use of a stern stare, and if that's not sufficient then involve elbows and feet.

Additionally, Koreans are often embarrassed if you speak English loudly to them, so you can just make eye contact and say, "Excuse ME, I was first in line, now if you don't mind stepping back, I will be done in just a moment." Watch how fast they slink back. It will embarrass the cashier too.

[Dr. Buck]

Which store is that on the island? Name some names. I'll give it a try and I'll be slightly slow pulling out my cash on purpose. If I'm bumped, then I'll gently push back the other person's cheap consumer goods and spoiled mandoo and insist that my case of OB Lager is accounted for first. See what happens.

Or I'll punch the loaf of bread--good one!

[Grotto]

I have had that happen a few times in my two years here.

I react depending upon the situation....if its a guy handing his 2,000 won for a pack of smokes no prob....someone with an item ok.

Once I had this businessman come up and push my stuff down the belt and start putting his things on it while waving a wad of bills at the clerk. I smiled evilly stated loudly and clearly 'ANIO! BABO monkey!' and turned my back on him...embarrased the hell out of him.

Have fun with it....and remember you are in Korea where every second counts....you could be going somewhere already instead of waiting for the foriegner to get his stuff

[Butterfly]