Korean Job Discussion Forums

paperbag princess · Joined: 07 Mar 2004 Location: veggie hell

i just wanted to share a nice thing that happened the other day (seeing as i mostly complain). anyway, i had a hair appointment in apukjeon and i was running late, so i jumped on the wrong bus (by accident). once i realised i got off at the next stop and walked back towards where i could meet the right bus. so the bus didn't seem to be coming so i hailed a cab and told him where i wanted to go. anyway, we started talking and explained how i ended up basically on the highway trying to hail a cab and he thought it was funny and took me for free. it wasn't that far, prolly 3,000 won, but still that's money for him. he totally wouldn't let me pay. Smile

i'm sure it was my really great butchering korean that did it!

anyway, after being taken for some serious rides, i appreciated that a lot!

the other nice thing i wanted to share was last week when it was raining, i had left my umbrella at home and several nice ladies shared their umbrellas with me while waiting on corners to cross roads.

there you have it two nice gestures from different people Smile

animalbirdfish · Joined: 04 Feb 2004

Good to hear. Thanks for the fresh air.

I can't count the number of times I've been impressed by the kindness of strangers in Korea, but as per the usual, I probably do more than my share of griping on this board.

Anyway, thanks again.

marista99 · Joined: 05 Jun 2004 Location: Incheon

I also had 2 nice things happen yesterday. First a guy helped me with one of the rental lockers when he saw I couldn't figure it out. Then another guy came up to me when I was trying to ask the salesman at e-mart something and asked if I needed help. He proceeded to translate for us so that I could get my message across. I have to say, people here really can be incredibly nice.

Demophobe · Joined: 17 May 2004

If I could only count the good things that happen everyday, that I so selfishly take in stride. Warm smiles at all the businesses I frequent, bank managers serving me personally, discounts at the local stationary store, the security guards keeping a closer eye on my place after my wife's bike was stolen, the baker makes me special buckwheat bread on the weekends when I am in my 'hometown', the kids in my neighborhood just call me "Ajoshi", not "wae-guk-in" Laughing

.....on and on.....really.

It's is really no surprise why I am happy here. After 9 years in a medium-sized city, I have been allowed a double-privilage. To be one of the crowd, as no one really thinks I am special around here anymore based on my nationality, yet still folks around here still acknowledge me as unique enough to warrant a favour.

I am blessed more than I could ever deserve.

agraham · Joined: 19 Aug 2004 Location: Daegu, Korea

I'm with you. I find that people here in Korea are remarkable similar to people in Vancouver: they ignore each other for the most part, but if they notice you for some reason they become very nice.
I like to walk around the city looking at stuff until I get lost. When I do, and I stand around for a few minutes looking the map and scratching my head, someone invariably comes up to help me find my way.
In fact, the other day I had a whole crowd of people competing to help me find the museum. I wrote a blog about it. Want to hear it? Here it goes:
http://korea.agraham.ca/2004/07/i-went-to-daegu-national-museum-today.html

Butterfly · Joined: 02 Mar 2003 Location: Kuwait

lalalalalalalalala lalalala lalalala I can't hear you lalalala lalala Laughing

Alpha · Joined: 24 Jul 2004

Nice post. It just so happened that I was aided by a Korean woman last night. I had gone to an ATM to withdraw money, and the freaking thing shut off, and rebooted itself after I had already inserted my card, and punched in the amount I wanted to withdraw. Well, I called the number on machine, and unfortunately, the guy who answered couldn't speak any English. After attempting to explain to him several times what had happened, I got really pissed, and needless to say, my voice got pretty damn loud. Anyways, this young woman came over, and asked me if I wanted her to translate. She talked to the guy, and a repair guy showed up within 10 minutes to give me my card back, and to apologize for what had happened.

I also had a couple of high school girls show me the connecting subway line about a week ago because I couldn't find the damn thing. They actually walked me to the entrance of the connecting line, bowed, and said anyeong gaseyo. How awesome is that? Without the kindness of strangers, I would probably be wandering around like a fool, not that I am not already doing that.

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

"SERVICE!"

yeah, it happens more often than not. the service industry kicks arse here. they go far out of their way and more often than not they deserve tips way more than many of the mealy-mouthed punks who serve me back home.

quotes: "oh, your meal was late. want some free drinks? we're really sorry"...
(replying to kamsa-hamnida) "don't be thankful, just eat".
"oh, i spilled water in your lap so your meal is free".
"if you sing for the whole restaurant we will give you free beers" (this actually happened in masan, i sang the theme from "cheers".
"thank you for coming back, we always miss you and your business" at the PC bang i frequent...

not to mention the fact that good ol' sang heun gives me a free extra shot of espresso in my coffee every day at boston king in apkujeong...

but the one that takes the cake for me is this. just last week, my coworker and i were looking for some grub. he said "aw, i don't want to go back to that gimbab place, they totally screwed up my order last time". they gave him tiny gimbabs with just rice in them instead of the tuna gimbab he had ordered.

a full month and a half later, i drag him back and they (busiest gimbab place in apkujeong) remembered that they had screwed up his order. they gave us both a free meal.

yeah. people really go out of their way for customers here on many occasions, and it rules.

The Great Toad · Joined: 12 Jun 2004

cheeky monkey · Joined: 18 Aug 2004

i wish i had some of that good fortune. just last week i was in "beer circus" near sookdae and the waiter broke a glass on me! he was so embarrassed he all but ran off and left me to clear it up myself. the manager was very apologetic, but i guess i insisted a little too much that it wasn't a big deal, because we went to pay the bill and they tried to overcharge us!! granted, most of the people i meet in korea are very nice, and i have encountered more helpful people than i can count, but experiences like this one really sour me on people in general.