Korean Job Discussion Forums

[nateyb]

I have noticed, and this has really helped me in the white guy PR department, is when I see an ajumma or an ajushi standing and I am sitting, I give them my seat. Even if there is a seat next to me.

Yeah, it kind of stinks, but the smiles I get from them goes a long way.

[lush72]

[ryleeys]

I think he means if all the seats are full, he gives up his seat to an elderly person. I do the same thing... although I'll give up my seat for an elderly woman, elderly man, or an attractive woman.

[lush72]

[sistersarah]

this happens to me even so often too...and, i'm not an unattractive foreigner, i'm pretty small and unthreatening.....

men of all ages sit down next to me without hesitation. some may be surprised to hear that it's usually young girls or women who avoid sitting next to me.

once a woman around my age (mid-twenties) sat down, looked at me, got up and moved to another seat across the way. i was a little shocked.

i would be interested to hear from other female posters how you're regarded by young women here. i often get dirty looks from them (especially if they're with their boyfriends). they give me the up and down and just stare out of the corners of their eyes. it's not wonderment or curiousity, it's critiquing. it makes me so uncomfortable.

i was just in the face shop today and there were four women working. i was the only one in the store and they kept looking at me, talking, giggling and when it was obvious i was ready to leave, i had to ask one to check me out because none of them seemed to want to. while she was getting my cash the others proceeded to stare and talk. i felt very uncomfortable.

this kind of thing happens frequently on the bus and subway, but i hardly ever have a problem with men, it's usually with young women and it annoys the piss out of me.

i got a little off topic there.

hey, i'm having one of those days, gimme a break.

[ryleeys]

For you sistersarah, I'd say it's because they're jealous... I've seen what you look like and there's no doubt in my mind that alot of these girls are jealous... they probably have Korean boyfriends that have a bit of a soft spot for western women.

[yangban]

Hubby and I have never had a problem. Everyone goes right for us. They sit next to us and stare. I don't mind someone sitting next to me, but the staring...

[Butterfly]

[crazylemongirl]

Sister sarah I'm tall and blonde so I stand out in crowds and I too find that guys don't mind sitting next to me. Freaky hangooks are a bit of a worry but in general guys of all ages are happy to sit next to me, as long as I'm dressed relatively conservatively (if I'm in my clubbing gear the rules change)

I have been on a train where adjumas have ordered people out of the adjacent seat so that I can sit down and talk to them. So maybe it is a gender thing.

As for younger women I haven't really noticed many problems. I do try and greet people in korean, wherever possible and I think that helps break down barriers with younger women as they see making a fool of myself with bad korean they don't get so shy about making mistakes in speaking english.

[Hollywoodaction]

[little mixed girl]

i haven't experiened that, but perhaps as others have said it's more of a gender thing... =/

[Grotto]

Just sit down in a sleeveless shirt showing your tat's

I rarely have anyone not sit next to me and I look like a Harley Davidson poster child. Big, beard and a few tat's. Next to me most Koreans look like little children.

[rapier]

I've experienced the empty seat syndrome a few times. But i've noticed that the Banglageshi/Pakistani guys on the subway get an even worse reaction, poor devils.

[The Lemon]

[Swiss James]

They should be ashamed if they won't give up their seats for some old grandma with a load of bags. I do it occasionally and the old folks seem to appreciate the gesture, I'm more bothered about them than some college kid pretending to be asleep cos he's comfortable.