Korean Job Discussion Forums

scott · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

space

sillywilly · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Location: Canada.

I'm a woman but I only get the first two questions...

Ody · Joined: 27 Jan 2003 Location: over here

1st thing i'm asked is where i am from, then something along the lines of "what brings you here..."

"what do you think of korean women?" really? wow. ' guess it's a guy thing.

off the subject:
the constant objectification of korean women (many examples being on this board) always reminds me of how they were treated by the japanese (soldiers) during the occupation/war in the early part of the 20th century. Crying or Very sad

The Lemon · Joined: 11 Jan 2003

Have a look at this Time Asia article on Japan:

http://www.time.com/time/asia/features/japan_view/opener.html

Some of the questions foreigners in Japan get bombarded with should have a familiar ring.

Not to unduly criticize Koreans, but I think their vanity shows in their desperate fishing for compliments. The "uri nara" mentality means they take compliments and criticism of Korea far too personally.

I never get asked these questions when I visit Thailand, Malaysia or Singapore. And could you imagine a New Yorker or Londoner asking a tourist what she thinks of the Cities?

matko · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: in a world of hurt!

Great article Lemon!
I am living in Japan right now so I truly understand.
However, I feel that the Japanese are far more critical of their own country than Koreans. They don't get nearly as upset if you "mildly" complain about something. Koreans go ballistic.

Homer · Guest

Matko..have you considered that in japanese culture it is considered rude to show ones true feelings to others outside the immediate family?

matko · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: in a world of hurt!

At least they have a concept of "rude"! Rolling Eyes

Bulsajo · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

Zed · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Location: Shakedown Street

I agree that these are very common questions but I think the most common set of questions that I get are:

1.How old are you?
2.Are you married?
3.Why not? asked with great curiosity when I respond to the first one with a 'no', as in, what kind of disease do you have - I've actually thought about coming up with some kind of lie about how my wife died in some tragic accident but I'm not a very convincing liar

weatherman · Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Location: Korea

They want to know what kind of man you are. Think about the questions. Your first questions tell the Korean man if you are with him or against him. Your second question goes to the heart of the matter in that Korean believe you are up to no good being in Korea whether it is making money or playing with their women, and often ask when you are leaving to. The third question only confirms the second question in that Korean men can be highly insecure sexually, and seem to want to know if you are indeed meeting their women. The forth question, again it is all the same insecure sexuality. I don't really get the last question, but I find that most Korean men in their 30's with the same education and work for any medium and large sized company are making double what I do, but they also work about 3 times the hours. I really find Korean men ask these questions let them know if you are worthy of being on their soil. What I don't understand is how Korean men want all foreigners to be saints or something over here. It is ironic, because Korean men overseas think they own place and can use Korean customs anywhere.

scott · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

space

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 24 Jan 2003 Location: Middle Land

Koreans do it because they are VERY curious about foreigners (to the point of staring as we all have noticed) and they want to put us in that "class-bracket".

Koreans do it to each other when they first meet.

Zyzyfer · Posted: Mon Feb 03, 2003 4:40 am Post subject:

Yea, most of them are societally acceptable questions.

The Donkey · Posted: Mon Feb 03, 2003 6:14 am Post subject:

Whenever a Korean asks me "where are you from?" I tilt my head to the side, squint my eyes slightly and ask in a great New York accent. "Why, where you from?" The startled responses I get are classic. "Ahh, Korea?" As if they are not too sure themselves. At which point I like to shake my head in an agreeable yes and slowly walk away.

Homer · Guest

Funny how a simple thing like curiosity about foreigners from Koreans sends some of you into a full fledged, steam blowing, fire breating fit...
I mean so some Koreans ask you where you are from...hmmm..why wouold they do that?
Ah..yes...perhaps because YOU ARE OBVIOUSLY NOT FROM KOREA and they are curious about where you are from.
It vould also be that foreigners are RELATIVELY rare in Korea.
In the US or Canada, an asian person born there will be asked this quite often:
" Where are you from...originally?".....now is that any better?