Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mindmetoo]

I make two assumptions.

Assumption 1: The person I'm dealing with doesn't speak any English so try to speak Korean.

Assumption 2: Koreans around you can understand English.

To wit: if you're trying to ask directions, buy a movie ticket, order dinner in a restaurant, etc. try to speak Korean first. Even if you're bad. "Errr pyo joo se yo. Erm... banji ui jeh wang onul uhhhhhh nyet shi sam ship boon... errr okay? Kam sa ham ni da, ya'll." "ho mil bang sae oo bugah setu joo se yo, hein? Yogi? Yogi yo? Like here?" It strikes me as polite you trying to make the effort. If they know English, they'll happily switch to expedite the process. This always ends up creating the funny situation for me where me white guy is speaking Korean and the Korean is answering in English. There's something charming about this.

However, if you're on the subway with your fellow waegook don't start tearing apart Korea. My Korean friends fluent in English have noticed this. If two foreigners are sitting together in a subway, they launch into long, loud complaints about Korea and Koreans. (Curiously, my Korean-American and Korean-Kiwi friends are the worst for this, happily tearing apart Korean Koreans right in front of them using English.) Anyway,

[Reflections]

So whats your point? You have friends who talk badly about Koreans in the company of other Koreans? Maybe you should sit your friends down and give them this lecture.

But anyway, thanx for the advice there. I will try and remember that the next time I am a yelling an expletive into my handphone to my friend about Koreans. Especially after the ajumma with the permed hair and Leopard skin jacket hopping onto Line 2 has mistaken me for a Springbok.

But then again, the Koreans in my vicinity mightn't understand my South African accent. You see, just somtimes, its pays to be a Springbok as opposed to a Moose....

[chronicpride]

Actually, I don't personally agree with the cross language communication thing. Sometimes, I come across these types that are very eager and exciting to hear and speak english with you. For example, there's a guy who owns the convenience store in my building where I work. He speaks Korean all day, to the boring routine of Koreans ordering cigarettes. Everytime he sees me, his face lights up and he wants to try and communicate our short transaction in English. Sometimes, I'll linger around a little extra, if I have time. Or I'll change my selection of words, next time I go buy something.

My co-worker sees Koreans outside of work, and trys to force them to speak Korean, even if they are fluent in english. Or work at Bennigans. He sees the english bantering situation at the store in our building, and doesn't care that this guy simply enjoys the infrequent chance to have a 10 second english interaction with us.

I know that my angle doesn't result in 100% constant Korean practice for me, but there should be some balance, depending on the situation.

The opportunities for most english language enthusiasts over here are slim to none.

So let me contribute assumption number 3- Just because some people try to push you into interacting in English, is not because they doubt your ability to speak Korean. Often it may be that they simply enjoy having a chance to have live English practice for the fleeting moment that you intersect with their lives. We have 101 opportunities to use and practice Korean everyday. Average Koreans can usually count their live english opportunities on one hand, for their entire lifetime.

[phaedrus]

[riverboy]

[chronicpride]

LOL! That reminds of when I was on bus to Gyeongju in my first few months here. I remarked to my friend, 'wow, I feel like I can swear at reckless abandon over here, as no one seems to know what the hell I'm talking about'. No less than three Korean heads turned in their seats and gave me knowing glares.

[riverboy]

Yeah CP. I'm a little bit more carefull after that incident. Luckily for me, the lad had a good sense of humor.

[paperbag princess]

are you aware that the rule of thumb refers to a law that allowed men under british and american law to beat their wives with a stick no thicker than their thumbs?

[riverboy]

Damn. That's a good rule. Anything bigger could realy do permanent damage. Personally, I use a rule of pinky. Primarily for humane reasons. Yes I don't use a stick any bigger than my pinky. It's because my wife is smaller than the average western woman, so I have decided to downsize. You know similar to the way the urinals are several inches to short to have a comfortable pee in.

[mindmetoo]

[babtangee]