Korean Job Discussion Forums

Bowden_PSM · Joined: 22 Jun 2004 Location: United Arab Emirates

Here's and interesting one...

I came to my small isolated Korean town outside of Ulsan about 8 months and a bit ago. I have four months left. On my second day here I went to the nearest bar to my house and met a Korean woman and her friend who turned out to be the owners of the bar. We became instant friends and due to the lack of company in the town I would go there most nights of the week.

3.5 months in the women asked me for a loan because they were at their wits-end and had run out of options. They insisted it would be a short term thing (20 days repayment). I would give them 2.5M and get back 2.7M for my kindness. No contract was made because they were my closest friends in Korea and we are still relatively close.

Still, it has been four months and I have not been paid a dime. I have to leave in 4 months (or less) and am getting worried. I gave them a deadline which expires next Monday but am thinking they will probably give me another excuse.

I am not looking for criticism of an obvious bad move; I guess my natural generousity got the best of me. I was thinking they wouldn't dare try to rip off a foreigner and give Korea a bad name. I could end up being very wrong. Suppossing they don't pay, what would any of you who are more familiar with Korea do in such a situation.

Again...I realize it could be a big error so you don't have to remind me of that. However, I would be open to any suggestions, however creative. Drama always makes life a tad bit more interesting, but I am hoping to avoid a $3000 mistake.

VanIslander · Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2004 9:33 am Post subject:

You are at a distinct advantage having lent money to a couple of bar owners. While they are not really your friend, any more than are other Korean bar owners and their female buddies who socialize with foreign customers, they do have a business to run, and you could start making their jobs more difficult if you tactfully started upping the pressure in their workplace. Start being more insistent, take smaller amounts in payment. Whatever you do, don't pay for your drinks!

The alternative is to go into the bar with someone else, preferably a Korean man you trust, and talk about the situation and apply some local social pressure in a nice, indirect way.

But what do I know? Last year I edited a translated contract between a foreign man and a female barkeeper for a sum of over 5.0 mill, and I thought at the time he'd be lucky to get the money back someday, not because of my knowledge of Koreans, but just what I have seen and heard about people in general back home.

I suggest you speak about the problem with a Korean man you trust. Whatever you decide on doing, get the perspective of somebody intimate with the subtle ways of the culture.

Good luck whatever.

Harin · Joined: 03 May 2004 Location: Garden of Eden

could you call your local police and report them? Confused

hope everything will be ok. Wink

lush72 · Joined: 18 Aug 2003 Location: I am Penalty Kick!

hellofaniceguy · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: On your computer screen!

Chock it up as a lesson. I suppose MOST people in the world who loan money under circumstances such as yours WOULD NOT get their money back. Especially without a contract.
Keystone korean cops? They might! You have nothing to lose by filing a complaint.

Harin · Joined: 03 May 2004 Location: Garden of Eden

flyguykorea · Joined: 18 Apr 2004

Want justice? Call Judge Judy....1-888-555-JUDY!

Seriously thou, I think you'll probably have to chalk it up as a good lesson learnt as others have previously said.

uberscheisse · Joined: 02 Dec 2003 Location: japan is better than korea.

i had money issues with someone here once.

my friend is a 57 year old korean man, he suggested that we go into the jerk's office with him pulling korean age-rank on him and giving him a good talking-to about honorable behavior.

don't know if that's a good idea or even an option for you. i didn't do it, but if anyone could comment on whether or not that plan would backfire, hook this guy up.

Harin · Joined: 03 May 2004 Location: Garden of Eden

I just remembered a bad SNL skit. The guy who had the exact same situation as you asked the girl who borrowed $$, "can I at least bang you?" Very Happy

All kidding aside, I hope you will get your $3,000. That is a lot of money, and I am sure you worked hard for it. Good luck.

shakuhachi · Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Location: Sydney

You probably wont get it back. That kind of thing happens quite a lot in Korea for some reason. It happens to Koreans too.

djsmnc · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Location: Dave's ESL Cafe

I have a hard time lending 5000 won to a friend, let alone 2.7 million to people I don't know much about. Drastic situations require drastic measures. 2 fists usually works. Also a sashimi knife is known as an implement for repayment.

Yaya · Joined: 25 Feb 2003 Location: Seoul

Arthur Fonzerelli · Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Location: Suwon

Sorry, but I don't think you're getting your money back... Good Koreans always warn of never lending money or "going into business" with other koreans...

Mosley · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

I'm blown away by two things:

1. A foreign EFL teacher would lend 2.7 mill to Korean casual aquaintances.

2. A foreign EFL teacher would HAVE 2.7 mill to lend to Korean casual aquaintances.

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

That has to be the stupidest thing I have ever heard of Exclamation

Would you lend that kind of money to someone you met a few months ago back home Question

Hey where do you live Question

I need to borrow 3 million won....oh dont worry i'll pay it back once I get home Rolling Eyes

Naive

Confront them....tell them you need the money back....mother is sick...hospital bills...basically lie and try to shame them into returning the money.

Whatever you are going to do ........ do it quick.