Korean Job Discussion Forums

princess · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: soul of Asia

I hate being followed around i the stores like I am going to steal something and I hate them telling me this is a shirt...DUH!!!!!!!! Even my Korean roommate thinks this is so stupid and annoying. Today I actually told a saleslady don't follow me. I hate it when you do that and she left me alone.

rapier · Joined: 16 Feb 2003

The key with shopping is to copy how koreans do it. They never pay any attention to all the salespeople, never engage them in any conversation, except to occasionally briskly demand the price of something.

captain kirk · Joined: 29 Jan 2003

Or ask them some impossible question. I went into a HiMart looking for something to play an MP3 loaded CD, a boombox. The salesclerk, his eyes were darting back and forth looking for divine assistance to deal with the unholy mayhem wracked upon his sudden workload. Oh, how to say this? He developed a host of nervous twitches holding the fort for HiMart trying his best. He nearly crapped himself. Laughing

Bladewarrior · Joined: 05 Dec 2004 Location: Currently back in Canada!

I think many of you have forgotten that we live in a different country. We aren't in Kansas anymore. I have no problem with people venting their anger and getting it all out, but I think we develop a problem when we start to take out our frustrations on the people we come in contact with. I get followed in some stores, and don't get followed in others. A guy in the music store that I frequent, still follows me around the little store, even though I've been going there for a year and a half, and he gives me a discount every time. Then there are other stores that I have been going to since I got here, and they greet me, and leave me to do my thing. As far as I'm concerned, I think we need to choose our battles carefully, and as annoying as we may find their "stuck like glue" habits in a store, I don't think this is one to bother with.
As for the whole racist or prejudiced behaviours towards Blacks, I completely agree. Being a Black man myself, I have encountered their racist, and ignorant attitudes on many occasions. And before I go any further, let me say that I am not the stereotypical Black male that they seem to think I am. I don't say, "what's up", "yo", or wear any "bling-bling" I don't play basketball, and I don't listen to rap,, but I hardly think that that makes me any less of a Canadian Black man, both of which, I am incredibly proud of. There's is nothing that we can do other then trying to educate the next generation, which seems to not have the hang ups about the rest of the world like the older folks do. Which brings me back to my original saying, which was to remember that we are no longer in "our" country, and they make that clear to us everyday, but it doesn't give us the right to come into their "house" and tell them what's what, you know? Let's be big about this, take the high road, educate, and leave. What they choose to do with the information will either be their downfall or rise.

Wangja · Joined: 17 May 2004 Location: Seoul, Yongsan

This doesn't bother me at all.

What does bother me that when shopping in USA (damn, that diving dollar makes prices look soooooooo attractive) I can never find an assistant.

Now that IS a urine-cutter.

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

I have absolutely NO idea why anyone would buy anything non-clothing in a department store like Lotte.

Honestly, how can these places stay in business when the same thing sells for 40% less at other non-department stores?

I asked a Korean that, and he said, "The quality is better in the department stores."

Is he nuts? How can the quality of the exact same Sealy mattress be different?

Zenpickle · Joined: 06 Jan 2004 Location: Anyang -- Bisan

I have gone from apprehension to being entertained by the folks that follow me around. I know that they're doing what their bosses told them to do, and it's part of the game.

If you don't want to be bothered, try shopping for computer parts at Yongsan. You and the salesman can both be standing alone at the glass display, and you'd have to jump up and down and wave your hands in front of his face before he acknowledges your presence.

The Lemon · Joined: 11 Jan 2003

Hanson · Joined: 20 Oct 2004

How 'bout this twist?

Have you ever asked a clerk in Korea for actual information?

Me: Shillay-hamnida, Ho-doo-ga odi-issoyo?
Clerk: (Bewilderment)

I mean, wtf?

Hanson · Joined: 20 Oct 2004

How 'bout this twist?

Have you ever asked a clerk in Korea for actual information?

Me: Shillay-hamnida, Ho-doo odi-issoyo?
Clerk: (Bewilderment)

I mean, wtf?