Korean Job Discussion Forums

[yangban]

Recently, I was able to take some time and visit America's famous beginnings, like the Mayflower, Pilgrim's village, and Plymouth Rock. I got out of the car, and smiling, I made my way towards the Mayflower (a replica, not the original). I had been back for a week and a half at the time, and was enjoying my first Memorial Day. It was beautiful, the sun was shining, the weather was great, the sea was shimmering. And then I heard it "Bali, bali! Iriwa!" And there they were - Koreans. My smile fell off my face like a cake that had hit a wall. They were quite rude, parading around with their huge sunglasses and visors. The girls were flipping their hair around and and they were on cell phones!! They stayed on their phones as they got on the historic boat to America. The guys leaned on the side of the ship, arms hanging over the edge, smirking arrogantly, like they were at some kind of hof. They kind of passed through the ship, taking picture of each other with their stupid peace signs with their fingers. It ruined the whole thing for me. At the Pilgrim's village, there were more, one ajuma, nose in the air, rudely pushing her way around. I spoke to her in Korean. "Are you Korean?" I asked. "Yes," she replied, very surprised, somewhat sick-looking that some dumb American could actually speak her language. So surprised, that she asked me if I were Korean, even though I am obviously not. "Absolutely not," I replied, "I'm American." That felt good, because she was the first Korean I could admit to being American to without suffering consequences. Coldly, she smiled and walked away.

Now, I am not the type of person who goes around saying "Foreigners out!" After all, America is a nation of foreigners. Our principles are ones of tolerance, acceptance and peace. But, umm, for the first time in my life, I wished we didn't have Koreans here. Everytime I see a Korean being treated well here, I cringe because I was treated so badly by them. Everytime I see an American buying a Korean product, or see Korean cars, or products in government (!) offices, I feel angry because of the boycotting and lack of American products in Korea. I wish they would go away, they shouldn't be able to treat Americans like shite and then come here and sell us their stuff and get jobs and library cards. Makes me very angry!!!

[hellofaniceguy]

With all the anti America protest going on over the years...tell me koreans, why do you continue to go to America? Or enroll in its schools and universities? Or buy its products? The line at the U.S. embassy is LONG everyday with koreans waiting to apply or get visas!
I am not anti korean, but, koreans are sure pushing me toward being anti.

[Son Deureo!]

OH FOR F**K'S SAKE!!!!!!

I know you had a bad experience in your last hogwon, you experienced anti-Americanism during your tour of duty in Korea, but I see absolutely nothing in your post worth getting upset about.

They went to see the Mayflower? Great! They're learning something about American history.

They were surprised to hear you speaking Korean? In America, that is a rarity.

They took pictures and made peace signs? Ummmm, am I missing something here? THAT'S WHAT FOREIGN TOURISTS DO!!!!!!!!

They used cell phones? Call the INS!

I know you got screwed over by your boss, and you had a less than perfect experience, but you're home now.

It's time to let it go.

[Wangja]

I feel very sorry for you two. You have clearly endured numerous testing and unpleasant experiences here that have scarred you, perhaps for the rest of your lives, may they be long.

Not all foreigners have suffered the same levels of degradation that appears to have been your lot: I have had a wonderful time in Korea (and I have worked in 15 countries so am not a naif) and have no plans to return permanently to my homeland.

I wish you both very best for the future.

Just as the abusers of Iraqi prisonsers are, we are told, not representative of the majority of Americans, so we must accept that the relatively few anti-American demonstrators in Korea are not representative of the majority of Koreans.

[indytrucks]

So, to sum up ...

Some Korean tourists to American got your ire up by defiantly taking pictures of each other, chatting on cell phones, wearing sunglasses, flipping hair, waving the peace sign and saying "bal bali".

THOSE DAMN KOREANS! BOYCOTT THEIR PRODUCTS!! DO IT NOW!! KILL THEM ALL!!



The OP really made me laugh.

[djsmnc]

I'm really surprised that they didn't dress their Sunday best and shut off their cell phones to walk through the hallowed splendor of the replicated Mayflower. When I went to the ancient Korean palaces, I made sure to shut off my phone and not make any jokes with the friends I was with. We didn't use our cameras, because only those fortunate enough to see such holy places ni person should ever be able to look. God forbid one of us would enjoy ourselves there aside from what can be obseved. I made sure to speak only English real quietly so Koreans wouldn't be offended by my annoying language

I mean, REALLY... how about this :

[hojucandy]

[Toby]

[On the other hand]

The OP reported:

[posco's trumpet]

[justagirl]

Yangban, I sympathize with you. I probably wouldn't have felt the same way as you, had I stayed one or two years in Korea. But after staying 4, I can understand where you're coming from.

When I go to see my historical sites in my country, I have respect and a bit of reverence. It's not an amusement park. If people from another culture are acting foolishly or demeaning the importance of my country's history, that would be upsetting.

It would be especially frustrating if those people were from a culture that had treated me poorly in their homeland. It would seem as if they had no respect for me in their country and now they have come to my country and don't respect it/it's history/etc either.

I know a lot of people disagreed with you, but they must have been much more fortunate than you were in Korea. ...actually, now thinking seriously about it, I think most of the people I've known have left Korea with a bad taste in their mouth about it. Know what I mean? Sorry if that is a poor way to describe it...they came with a nuetral opinion and interest in living overseas, and left not caring if they ever came back. Or if they did, it'd just be for the food.

And now when I think about it, I'm the same. This is the first country I've been in that I don't care if I ever see again. It's been good for it's purpose, but I'd much rather go somewhere else if given the chance. Hmmm. 168 more days. Been here too long already. Should have left when I still didn't mind being stared at, pushed by, cut in front of, denied service or called names by students.

justagirl

[Son Deureo!]

[On the other hand]

[justagirl]

Good points, guys.

[Real Reality]

Drunken Misconduct Abroad Gives Rise to the 'Ugly Korean'
Korean expatriates in the Philippines pointed out that "As far as the incidents and accidents involving Koreans are concerned, there are many cases of unseeming behavior by Koreans becoming problems."

Consul General Jo Hui-yong said Wednesday, "the 'Korean Wave Craze' is spreading in Southeast Asia, but we mustn't allow some thoughtless tourists to ruin Korea's entire image." Expressing concern, he said, "Not just on the golf course, but at tourist sites, airports, and other places, incidents causing friction between Koreans and locals are continuing to occur."
http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200402/200402200009.html