Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Leslie Cheswyck]

Korea is a shame-based society. So trying to show this guy how wrong he is will never work. Letting him get away with it will never work. Taking the "moral high ground" will never work. Guilt has no currency. You guys really think this shopkeeper went home that night full of regrets? "Gee, that was small of me. I will apologize." A good riposte will sting him by way of showing him that he opened the door to it.

[Vince]

I agree that you shouldn't have bought your water at that shop. He and the people he surely told probably saw that as an admission of guilt on your part.

It would be too easy to repay him with a similar charade about the tank running over the girl or about Koreans walking home crying without that skating medal, but that could've gotten ugly and even violent. Even if guilt has no purchase with him (an excellent point), at least you'd walk away with none of your own. Maybe just point to your head, hold your thumb and forefinger close together, and say "small mind" as you disappointedly point at him.

[Leslie Cheswyck]

I don't feel guilty in the least. And I'm not gonna worry about a violent response. Not from a shopkeeper anyway.

And you're not exchanging literary theses at the Royal Academy, so pointing out his "ignorance", while making you feel better, will not command his respect.

[indiercj]

This reminds me of my own silliness when young, my onw ignorance about people and the world around me, the isolation, the ignorance and the stubbornness.

Then I think about the moment when things changed, the fog of silliness gone regret took it's place. I couldn't act, talk, respond the way I used to. I realized that I "matured" a bit.

I believe this to be true for anyone. I don't think you can't teach him nor change him with "better", "mightier" silliness. Besides, it may not be you. Time would teach him a lesson. Someday.

[Leslie Cheswyck]

[indiercj]

[poddubny]

hahahaha!!! stupid americans...

[Pyongshin Sangja]

I got banned for making a similar joke here, a long time ago.

Times sure have changed, now that we're all about to deported.

[Vince]

[JongnoGuru]

[Leslie Cheswyck]

[Knappstar]

Hey Guys,

Just clearing some things up.

Van Islander, I wasn't so much offended as just caught completely off guard that the guy said that. My father watched the buildings fall from 10 blocks away( he works in the city ). If he had happened to be in one of those buildings, then I would've responded a bit differently, I'm sure.

Saharzie, that thing about not taking the change with 2 hands was a joke...little breezy over your head?

Finally, I had already put my money on the counter, and he asked me where I was from while he was making my change..I wasn't about to ask for a refund with my non-existent Korean. (Keep in mind it was my 3rd day on the peninsula.) Rest assured I haven't been back to this particular store.

Never expected this post to generate so much feedback..its kinda fun.

Later guys

Andy

[rapier]

One insensitive, stinging remark calls for another. Its the only way,as leslie cheswyck has pointed out.
I expected more practical advice from the rest of you, not some "turn the other cheek, make him feel bad by smiling at him" nonsense.

So come on...any witty or humiliating ripostes out there?
How about "Yes..but many Korea people die in twin towers, haha!"

or.."yes, japan very clever, kill Korea people haha!"

[Leslie Cheswyck]

Here here rapier,

But we mustn't be too hard on the newb. He didn't know any better. I didn't when I first got here. So he gets some slack. Just chalk it up and move on.